Renata
rengolin
Do you pay for your softwares?
:
open source
Do you use original softwares? Do you pay for your softwares?
Why not try free and open softwares? They are a good idea for those who want to replace expensive softwares and they are open source projects, witch means spyware-free.
The Simple Dollar blog made a list with 30 open source programs that he consider essential for Windows users. We can see the list and my opinions about it.
1. Firefox
http://www.getfirefox.com/
Replaces Internet Explorer
That's what I use and love. No comments.
2. Thunderbird
http://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/
Replaces Microsoft Outlook or Eudora
I use Gmail. It's quite simple and easy. But if you don't like web-based mails, Thunderbird could be your choice.
3. Sunbird
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/sunbird/
Replaces Microsoft Outlook's calendaring functions
I use Google Calendar, but Sunbird is also a good option.
4. Abiword
http://www.abisource.com/
Replaces Microsoft Word
I didn't know Abiword. I will try it.
5. OpenOffice
http://www.openoffice.org/
Replaces Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint
That's what I use in my computer. No, I don't pay for an Office tool.
6. ClamWin
http://www.clamwin.com/
Replaces Norton AntiVirus or McAfee
I am happy with AVG Free Edition.
7. Gaim
http://gaim.sourceforge.net/
Replaces AIM, Windows Messenger, etc.
You can use AOL Instant Messenger, Windows (MSN) Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger simultaneously with one program. There are other free packages that do this, but Gaim is stable and clean and simple. That's the one I have.
8. BitTorrent
http://www.bittorrent.com/
Original but essential
Yes, I have it. But, some people say they help piracy.
9. GIMPShop
http://www.gimpshop.net/
Replaces Adobe Photoshop
My husband always tells me to switch from Photoshop. He told me it is good piece of software. I'm still Photoshop addicted, but I will try GIMP.
10. Gnucleus
http://www.gnucleus.com/Gnucleus/
Replaces LimeWire, BearShare, etc.
I didn't know it, I will try.
11. VLC Media Player
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Replaces Windows Media Player, Quicktime, RealPlayer, etc.
I didn't know it, I will try.
12. Juice
http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/
Unique but essential
I didn't know it, I will try.
13. Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Unique but essential (for some)
I don't record Podcasts.
14. RSSOwl
http://www.rssowl.org/
Unique but essential
I'd rather read my RSS in web-based program as Google Reader or Bloglines.
15. Filezilla
http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/
Replaces WinFTP
I just use FTP occasionally.
16. Keynote
http://www.tranglos.com/free/keynote.html
Unique but essential
Looks interesting. I will check it out.
17. MusikCube
http://www.musikcube.com/
Replaces iTunes
I didn't know. I'll try.
18. Handbrake
http://handbrake.m0k.org/
Unique but essential
Sounds great, I'll try it.
19. X-Chat 2
http://www.silverex.org/
Replaces mIRC
I don't use mIRC.
20. KeePass
http://keepass.sourceforge.net/
Unique but essential
I'll test it first.
21. TrueCrypt
http://www.truecrypt.org/
Unique but essential
I'll test it first.
22. PDFCreator
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
Replaces Adobe Acrobat
This one is great, I always use it.
23. Freemind
http://freemind.sourceforge.net/
Unique but Essential
Sounds interesting!
24. NASA Worldwind
http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/
Replaces Google Earth
I like Google Earth.
25. Notepad2
http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html
Replaces Notepad
This one is great.
26. HealthMonitor
http://healthmonitor.zucchetti.com/
Unique but useful
I'll check it out.
27. Workrave
http://www.workrave.org/
Unique but useful
Hum could be useful!
28. GanttPV
http://www.pureviolet.net/ganttpv/
Replaces Microsoft Project
You have no reason to use MS Project.
29. GnuCash
http://www.gnucash.org/
Replaces Microsoft Money or Quicken
I need this one.
30. True Combat: Elite
http://www.truecombatelite.net/
Replaces Quake IV, Halo, etc.
I don't like combat games, but you can try it.
Maybe you are not ready to switch from Windows to Linux, but you can start with these software packages.
You can try! It's free!
Why not try free and open softwares? They are a good idea for those who want to replace expensive softwares and they are open source projects, witch means spyware-free.
The Simple Dollar blog made a list with 30 open source programs that he consider essential for Windows users. We can see the list and my opinions about it.
1. Firefox
http://www.getfirefox.com/
Replaces Internet Explorer
2. Thunderbird
http://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/
Replaces Microsoft Outlook or Eudora
I use Gmail. It's quite simple and easy. But if you don't like web-based mails, Thunderbird could be your choice.
3. Sunbird
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/sunbird/
Replaces Microsoft Outlook's calendaring functions
I use Google Calendar, but Sunbird is also a good option.
4. Abiword
http://www.abisource.com/
Replaces Microsoft Word
I didn't know Abiword. I will try it.
5. OpenOffice
http://www.openoffice.org/
Replaces Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint
That's what I use in my computer. No, I don't pay for an Office tool.
6. ClamWin
http://www.clamwin.com/
Replaces Norton AntiVirus or McAfee
I am happy with AVG Free Edition.
7. Gaim
http://gaim.sourceforge.net/
Replaces AIM, Windows Messenger, etc.
You can use AOL Instant Messenger, Windows (MSN) Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger simultaneously with one program. There are other free packages that do this, but Gaim is stable and clean and simple. That's the one I have.
8. BitTorrent
http://www.bittorrent.com/
Original but essential
Yes, I have it. But, some people say they help piracy.
9. GIMPShop
http://www.gimpshop.net/
Replaces Adobe Photoshop
My husband always tells me to switch from Photoshop. He told me it is good piece of software. I'm still Photoshop addicted, but I will try GIMP.
10. Gnucleus
http://www.gnucleus.com/Gnucleus/
Replaces LimeWire, BearShare, etc.
I didn't know it, I will try.
11. VLC Media Player
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Replaces Windows Media Player, Quicktime, RealPlayer, etc.
I didn't know it, I will try.
12. Juice
http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/
Unique but essential
I didn't know it, I will try.
13. Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Unique but essential (for some)
I don't record Podcasts.
14. RSSOwl
http://www.rssowl.org/
Unique but essential
I'd rather read my RSS in web-based program as Google Reader or Bloglines.
15. Filezilla
http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/
Replaces WinFTP
I just use FTP occasionally.
16. Keynote
http://www.tranglos.com/free/keynote.html
Unique but essential
Looks interesting. I will check it out.
17. MusikCube
http://www.musikcube.com/
Replaces iTunes
I didn't know. I'll try.
18. Handbrake
http://handbrake.m0k.org/
Unique but essential
Sounds great, I'll try it.
19. X-Chat 2
http://www.silverex.org/
Replaces mIRC
I don't use mIRC.
20. KeePass
http://keepass.sourceforge.net/
Unique but essential
I'll test it first.
21. TrueCrypt
http://www.truecrypt.org/
Unique but essential
I'll test it first.
22. PDFCreator
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
Replaces Adobe Acrobat
This one is great, I always use it.
23. Freemind
http://freemind.sourceforge.net/
Unique but Essential
Sounds interesting!
24. NASA Worldwind
http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/
Replaces Google Earth
I like Google Earth.
25. Notepad2
http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html
Replaces Notepad
This one is great.
26. HealthMonitor
http://healthmonitor.zucchetti.com/
Unique but useful
I'll check it out.
27. Workrave
http://www.workrave.org/
Unique but useful
Hum could be useful!
28. GanttPV
http://www.pureviolet.net/ganttpv/
Replaces Microsoft Project
You have no reason to use MS Project.
29. GnuCash
http://www.gnucash.org/
Replaces Microsoft Money or Quicken
I need this one.
30. True Combat: Elite
http://www.truecombatelite.net/
Replaces Quake IV, Halo, etc.
I don't like combat games, but you can try it.
Maybe you are not ready to switch from Windows to Linux, but you can start with these software packages.
You can try! It's free!
webtoolsblog
Web Tools Blog
Thanks
A Geek Family
I'm glad you liked it.
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Also: Thunderbird -great
Music Cube - fantastic
Audacity - great