Welcome to gnugen’s Free Software Survival Guide! This is a selection of free software, tips and tricks that will help you transition to using free software during your studies at EPFL. They can (for the most part) be used on Linux distributions, Windows and Mac. This should cover most of your needs. If you have suggestions for improvement, feel free to send them to communication [at] gnugen [dot] ch.

Locally for computers

For handwritten notes

• Rnote: More modern and aesthetic than Xournal++.
• Xournal++: Light and works well.

For typed notes in markdown

• Apostrophe: Minimal markdown editor.
• Joplin: Markdown note editor organized in notebooks.

We have published a guide to get started with markdown (see bottom of page).

For writing

• LibreOffice: Office suite aligned with Microsoft® Office (documents are compatible).
• OnlyOffice: Office suite aligned with Microsoft® Office (documents are compatible).
• Zotero: Bibliography management. To learn more, the library at EPFL regularly gives training on Zotero.
• LaTeX: LaTeX is not a standalone program. Various distributions (i.e. complete and functional LaTeX installation) are available on the mentioned site. For software to use LaTeX locally, we can recommend Texmaker.

For coding

• VScodium: Libre alternative to VS Code
• Geany: A graphical text editor.
• Vim: A text mode text editor (Writing method is complicated).
• git: Decentralized versioning tool. To learn more, we regularly offer git workshops at our events.

For scientific computing

• Octave: Specialized for matrix processing, syntax similar to MatLab.
• Jupyter: Scientific computing platform in web server form, files in notebook form, supports several languages including Python or Octave.

For reading and browsing the web

• Firefox: A web browser, PDF file reader.
• Zen browser: Modified version of Firefox.
• LibreWolf: Modified version of Firefox that clears data by default when closing the software.

For mindmaps and diagrams

• Freeplane: A very comprehensive mind mapping tool.
• Mermaid: Very comprehensive diagram creation tool.
• Excalidraw: Diagram creation tool, works in a browser, but data is stored locally.

For media playback

• VLC: A highly comprehensive music and video player, local or online.
• Clapper: A minimal video player.

For sending messages

• Signal: Signal desktop client.
• Element: Matrix client for computers. EPFL provide an instance for students. More information on their site
• Fractal: Matrix client designed for the Gnome environment.
• Thunderbird: Easy to use local email client. Configuration data for EPFL emails is described on this site

For instant document transfer

• Warp: Quick file transfer.

Storage/Collaborative/Hosted

Several free software solutions allow you to store, process and collaborate on files:

• GitLab: Platform based on git. EPFL hosts an instance for EPFL students.
• Nextcloud: Online collaboration and file management and sharing software.
• ownCloud: File management and sharing software.
• Jupyter: Scientific computing platform.
• EtherCalc: Online spreadsheet.
• EtherPad: Collaborative notepad.
• Frama: Free online suite that allows scheduling appointments, creating surveys, organizing events or writing texts collaboratively.
• Cryptpad: End-to-end encrypted collaborative suite similar to Office 365
• Overleaf: Collaborative //LaTeX// editor.
• FileSender: Large file transfer.
• Collabora office: Collaborative office suite.
• Penpot: Collaborative prototyping and vector image editor.
• LanguageTool: Rule-based spelling and grammar checker.

Free software for Android

A repository of free applications

• F-Droid: All applications cited below (except signal) can be found in this repository, along with many others.

For messaging

• Signal: Open source messaging.
• Element: Matrix client for phones. EPFL provides an instance for students. More information on their site
• Delta Chat: Decentralized messaging application.
• Thunderbird: Email application.

For viewing documents

• LibreOffice Viewer: Reads ODF (.odt, .ods, .odp) and proprietary (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .doc, .xls, .ppt) documents.
• MuPDF viewer: Reads PDF (.pdf) and Open XPS (.oxps) documents.
• Okular: A PDF file reader with numerous annotation options.

For 2-step authentication

• Aegis: Enables two-factor authentication such as that required by EPFL.

For web browsing

• Fennec: Like Firefox but for phones.

For everyday life

• Binary Eye: QR code reader.
• Organic Maps: Alternative to Google Maps.
• drip: Menstrual cycle tracking application.

For launching applications

• KISS Launcher: Allows launching applications by typing their name.

For instant document transfer

• Wormhole: Quick file transfer.