Free and Open Source Software

posted by Rianne Schestowitz on Feb 15, 2026

• 5 Useful Free and Open Source TUI Notes Apps - LinuxLinks

  In part, this is because of passable short term memory, coupled with what can only be described as ‘brain fog’. To combat this, we arm myself with open source software that helps us efficiently capture a lot of information. We generally prefer to keep our information local and cloud-free, primarily for security reasons. And we primarily advance software which doesn’t tie itself to any specific company or service, whether it’s Evernote, Google, or Microsoft.

  Note-taking apps are the online equivalent of notebooks, and because they’re digital, they can do more for you than paper can. Note-taking apps also include text search, so in a matter of seconds, you can find whatever notes you need.

  There is a wide range of competent note taking software for Linux. This article focuses on apps that have a Text User Interface (TUI). A TUI program is a terminal-based application that provides an interactive, menu-driven interface using text and keyboard navigation rather than a graphical interface (GUI).

  Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.

• sled - simple text editor - LinuxLinks

  sled is a simple text editor with a terminal UI.

  This is free and open source software.

• Betula - self-hosted personal link collection manager - LinuxLinks

  Betula is a single-user self-hosted federated bookmark manager with Fediverse support and archives.

  This is free and open source software.

• Ly - display manager - LinuxLinks

  Ly is a lightweight TUI (ncurses-like) display manager for Linux and BSD, designed with portability in mind (e.g. it does not require systemd to run).

  Ly has been tested with a wide variety of desktop environments and window managers,

  This is free and open source software.

• zond - network mapping and discovery tool - LinuxLinks

  zond is an easy to use network mapping and discovery tool.

  The tool runs under Linux and macOS.

  This is free and open source software.

• Bloop - build server for the Scala programming language - LinuxLinks

  Bloop is a build server for the Scala programming language. Bloop aspires to provide the best out-of-the-box experience to Scala developers and a solid platform for build tool authors to consume the Scala toolchain; to compile, test or run Scala code.

  Bloop integrates with editors, build tools and other Scala tooling project to support many different workflows and allow bespoke integrations.

  This is free and open source software.

• OpenMeters - audio metering/visualization program - LinuxLinks

  OpenMeters is a fast and simple audio metering application for Linux, built with Rust and PipeWire. It’s in active development.

  This is free and open source software.

• Raffi - application launcher - LinuxLinks

  Raffi is an application launcher designed to sit on top of Fuzzel, or, if preferred, operate using its own built‑in interface.

  It allows commands and scripts to be defined in a YAML configuration file, with support for icons, arguments, conditional visibility, and script execution through configurable interpreters.

  This is free and open source software.

• envx - environment variable manager - LinuxLinks

  envx is a powerful and secure environment variable manager for developers, featuring an intuitive Terminal User Interface (TUI) and comprehensive command-line interface.

  This is free and open source software.