Multipurpose Tools / Packages

Tools that do many things. In many cases they're listed under their separate functions as well.

Name	Comments
Axon2007	What it Does: Organize and process ideas in multiple ways. Runs on: PC only Price: $135 Uniqueness: It's one of only a few tools to provide this combination of functions Best Feature: The extraordinary versatility of the program Worst Feature: The unfamiliar (but logical) and sometimes awkward interface Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Regular --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: "The Axon Idea Processor provides a specially designed environment that supports and empowers the thinking processes. Objects and Links form the basic entities for idea processing. These entities are displayed in a multi-level, 3D workspace." It's true.
Google Pack	What it Does: Many fine programs - some listed separately here Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux Free Best Feature: Easy installation and maintenance of good programs. Worst Feature: May become a time-waster because you get so many toys to play with. Learning Time: Hours --- My use: Daily --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: Amazing complilation. They'll probably charge for it eventually, but now it includes 14 worthwhile pieces of software including several listed here: 5 from Google; 4 others; 5 optional. Review & Comments about Google Pack in Academic Tools Blog
MS Office	What it Does: The standard office suite - I've included components too. Runs on: PC, Mac Drexel Site License Best Feature: Standard Worst Feature: MS Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good My use: Daily --- Confidence in Evaluation: Good Comment: Everyone has it. It's refined and pretty darned stable. The imminent Office-2007 is a big quesition. Multipurpose note: All the "standard" programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
OpenOffice	What it Does: Office Suite - MS Office compatible - Free Runs on: PC, Mac, Linux Free, Open Source Best Feature: Free Worst Feature: Lacks MS Words Outline mode For advanced MSOffice users the compatibility is not total. Learning Time: Hours --- Export/Import: Good Comment: It does almost everything MS Office does. The reason I don't use it every day is that I use outlining a lot. OO stinks in that one area. The drawing program is very good - you can do basic drawings for CAD work quickly, but don't expect to interchange with Autocad. Multipurpose note: Free - Some capabilities better than MS Office

 

 

Update: 2006-11-26