Well, I thought of just posting this after I compiled a big list of programs, but it'll take some time. So i'll just post an initial list. To make the list complete, it'll take all of you CEans to contribute
I was sorta inspired by the Neowin's List of free alternative software (click
HERE), so I believe a dedicated engineering one here would be useful!
CAD software
OpenCascade (OSS)
Alibre Xpress (Free edition, need to register)
Google SketchUp (freeware)
A9CAD (General purpose 2D, freeware)
BRL CAD (solid modelling system, OSS)
ECAD software
KiCad (OSS)
Eagle (Free edition)
Mathematics/Numerical
Scilab (sorta OSS)
Circuit Analysis and Schematics
PSpice (student edition)
Circuit Maker 6 (student edition)
Multisim Designsuite 9 (freeware edition. Im not sure of the limitations yet)
SwCADIII (free version)
Compiler
Dev C++ 5 beta (OSS)
Dev C++ 4.9.9.2 Portable (OSS. It can run off a USB, pretty useful)
Visual Basic 2008 Express, Visual C++ 2008 Express (Freeware IDE's from Microsoft. Has some limitations, but ideal for students and hobbyists)
Wave Analysis
Spectrogram Version 16 (Freeware)
PIC stuff
MPLAB IDE (free version)
HI-TECH PICC-Lite (freeware with some limitations, quick registration)
PIC16F87x / 16F87xA bootloader (freeware)
Embedded RTOS
Salvo Lite (free version with some limitations)
Thanks Suyash and Muffy for your suggestions!
Yep, this list still has a long way to go. I've tried most the software listed above. I could have just googled for more, but it isnt right if I just copy paste them unless I've actually tested them. So, please post in any free software which you have used that could be useful to the rest of us! I'll update this list often. If we can have a big list, it can be sticky'd
