Portal:Software

The Software Portal

Software is the collection of programs and related data that instruct a computer. Generally, the software used in fab labs are design software - drawing or computation programs - and differ by lab. While professional or commercial software can be used with the machines, open source software and cross platform is the most shareable resource.

STARTER SETUP If you're just starting out or outfitting a new computer, the preferred minimum setup is based on all freely available cross-platform software.  This means the greatest likelihood of direct design sharing and the largest population of people able to help out where there's a problem.
The open source operating system Ubuntu is preferred, though all software listed in this section are cross-platform. Python - a programming language on which many of these programs are based. Is usually bundled with Ubuntu and MacOS Fab Modules - an important piece of software that allows nearly any digital file to be sent to nearly any machine Open Office or Libre Office - writer, calc (spreadsheets), impress (presentations), draw, math and base Design: Blender - 3D design Gimp - image drawing and manipulation Inkscape - vector drawing and manipulation Electronics: Eagle - electronics circuits design and layout Avrdude - software programming for Atmel processors Programming Scratch - a graphical a programming language Fab Labs Collaboration   Fab Labs Videoconferencing clients: Polycom V500, Tandberg Conference Me (windows only), Ekiga, Xmeeting. TightVNC for remote desktop. [1]

KEEPING YOUR LAB UP TO DATE
Software is continually updated.  Ubuntu's package manager will (usually) help you keep the operating system and installed programs up to date. You will also want to keep the operating system upgraded. A good lab-wide maintenance schedule is,   every 3 months sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get clean every 6 months sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get autoremove sudo apt-get upgrade sudo apt-get update every 12 months vacuum the fan / cooling vents of all computers and monitors

EXTENDED CAPABILITIES
Arduino - an open-source electronics prototyping platform OpenSCAD -Solid 3D CAD Modeller Upverter for pcb design (like Github, free as long as you keep you files publics) In addition to the programs above, many labs use commercial or manufacturer proprietary programs for design or manufacturing. You might find collaborators who are using these programs. Shopbot Partworks Roland Modela player milling Roland Dr. Picza scanner Next Engine Scan Studio Google Sketchup (listed here because a fee is required to generate output) Laser Cut Leetro for chinese laser cuter