There might not be any better, more refined way to experience open source apps -- or many apps, period -- than PortableApps.com. It's not just an application launcher, although it is that, but a whole framework for letting you take many common open source (and now freeware) applications with you. PortableApps.com runs from either an external USB drive or your own hard drive, and lets you install dozens of the best open source applications -- including Bossie winners 7-Zip, CamStudio, Chrome, LibreOffice, Pidgin, and VLC. The suite automatically updates apps to their newest revisions on startup, lets you find needed apps by typing, and has built-in backup/restore functions as well.
The Bossies 2011 index:
Bossie Awards 2011: The best open source software of the year
Bossie Awards 2011: The best open source applications
Bossie Awards 2011: The best open source desktop and mobile software
Bossie Awards 2011: The best open source application development software
Bossie Awards 2011: The best open source data center and cloud software
This slideshow, "Bossie Awards 2011: The best open source desktop and mobile software," originally appeared at InfoWorld.com. Follow the latest developments in applications, mobile technology, and open source at InfoWorld.com.
