software recommendation suggestion

If you guys are going to suggest software, then PLEASE note what platform the
software needs to run on -- if it's windoze, please specify if it needs some
particular version (w2k, etc.).

I just wasted a bunch of my time chasing down some of the links to look at
some of these software packages...

Not all of us run windoze, and if we did, not all of us are running the
versions needed for this stuff.

Your consideration in this matter is appreciated.