I'm starting this thread because all too often I see a great program or project that died away because not enough people caught interest in it. Often it is because the word didn't get out, the program was hard to install/not enough docs, it came at the wrong time, or simply the website for it doesn't look eye catching (pictures?).

So, let's help the (open source) community help itself.

What are some programs that you feel need more recognition/you think people should try?

Understand that putting programs on this list does not mean that development is dying out/has died out or will do so if people don't start recognizing it. However, perhaps this thread will help people to gain interest in various projects that would otherwise be unknown to them and through that lead to more healthy project development and happy end users.

Please do not list well known programs (Firefox, Openoffice, etc). If you are unsure try searching this forum for it to see how often it is talked about.

Please use the following format to help keep things consistent. Feel free to comment on anything in the list or the idea of this list in general. This is a forum after all.

Perhaps when this thread matures the list can be stickied or added to a wiki.

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Program Name - Brief description
Website where it can be found


Why it should receive more recognition


Why you think it has thus far not been well recognized.

You might use it if you use ________

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Here are a couple examples that I will start this list with...

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xrdp - Remote Desktop Server for Linux
http://xrdp.sourceforge.net/


Windows boxes all have the mstsc.exe (RDP) client built-in and most Linux boxes have the rdesktop client installed so it is very convenient to use (ie. you can login from pretty much any computer without installing software).
It is fast (like NX server), secure, allows session detaching/re-attaching, allows local clipboard copy/paste and more.
It can also interface with a VNC server so RDP clients can still connect to it.


Website and source lacks complete installation docs - it says nothing about needing to install X11rdp or where to get it. Thankfully, one of the developers was very kind in helping with this (See this thread about X11rdp).
Not many packages floating around because of the problem above.
Doesn't forward sound
Website doesn't catch your eye

Remote Desktop, NX server, VNC

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herrie - interactive command line music playlist player
http://herrie.info/


extremely easy to use ncurses interface and plays most music file formats - like running winamp/xmms in your terminal (even uses xmms-style play control key bindings)
Can play http streams and works with audio scrobbler
Can use many sound systems (including ao and you can use esd through ssh - listen to your songs away from home)
Great for booting PC into a "media player mode" including ability to chroot function


Not a lot of packages out there for it.
Command line scares some people away.

xmms and winamp (but in command line), mplayer (no skin)

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In our case we've got a gazillion users who never drop by, a thousand a year that don't RTM, one user mailing list with about 10 steady testers / commenters (thanks, sincerely), one LQ member on Wiki, documentation and promotion (much appreciated Aus9), one developer (thanks John) and me and that's about it. In our case it's not as much about people trying (our Sourceforge stats show 1000 page views and 200 downloads A DAY) or recognition but more community commitment in the development area. Strengthening the team with one or two knowledgable medior or senior level scripters with a wee bit of time to invest would be awesome.

I'd love to get involved in development if someone were willing to show me how to do some things. I've taken a couple college courses on programming (C++ and Java) but that was a while ago. I feel like I've always got good ideas, just no means of implementation.

Now that the year is almost over, I was going through old posts after a hiatus and this one caught my attention because the offer still stands.

If anyone could use a hand with development, documentation, miscellaneous stuff that needs to get done in regards to software that you are maintaining/developing, etc. feel free to contact me. I'm looking to become more involved in open source programming and the community in general as I work toward my degree in computer science.

Resurrecting the Dead is usually frowned upon. If I would have read your post three years ago I would have suggested you go find a topic and join a project you're interested. Motivation-wise that's the best way to get into things and it's the usual approach. It's not customary for projects to go look and offer a seat. Sourceforge for instance has pages upon pages with projects asking for help.

Well, I certainly wouldn't have known that if you hadn't mentioned it, thanks. I will do just that.