This year has made way for several changes in my life at home. Some good, some eh, but for the most part things are rock n’ kick arse. We have had a few new additions to the family; by family I mean our home network and home offices. You may as well consider them members of your family when on some days your hands are touching them more than your spouse, right? (Or maybe that means we call them Mistresses?)
A few months ago we had to reorganize our office and music room into two offices (one just happens to have 3 guitars hanging on the walls). During some of these changes, I became so frustrated looking for software discs (some burns, I admit… backups of my personal software *of course*). Ahem… anywho, in the midst of my exhausting efforts and my temper tantrums (like slamming my new (two H keys and no J key) keyboard around), Ian has to lean back and say snidely “See, now that is what you need. I needed a new version of my operating system and I just clicked a button. I haven’t had any problems with my software yet.” He uses Ubuntu and I knew that he was right (the new, cute, tattooed hot chica spread across to his newly installed second monitor gave it away earlier. He had setup his new desk in the adjoining office *and* had time to find a new wallpaper.)
So, I decided about 5 minutes later (I had to clean up the water that I spilled when slammed my keyboard down) that I was ready to make the move to downloaded, freeware, open source, self-updating software.
I know that some new users are so brainwashed by Microsoft that they feel like they HAVE to use Microsoft products and that means paying for them. Many of these same users think if it’s free, it must be illegal and that is simply not the case. I remember trying to convince an unnamed family member to switch from IE to Firefox a few years ago after she had a horrible two day battle with viruses, spyware, adware… you name it. “Well, I don’t feel comfortable using that stuff. I don’t want to get in any trouble.”
I felt like I just ask her to grow some marijuana in her back yard. So, for all of your out there who feel the need to kit the habit and end your addiction: here are some completely legal and actually pretty good alternatives to some of the software you may use (and I promise the PoPo can’t break down your door with a SWAT team on hand to take you in just because you were checking your email on Thunderbird).
I will break this up into sections based on recommendations for tools based on need.
DOCUMENTS, SPREADSHEETS, PRESENTATION
(Alternatives for Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc)
Most computers will come with 60-90 day free trials and then you are guilted into purchasing. Instead, check out the online option Google Documents or the plethora of “weblications” offered by Zoho. You can create your documents, spreadsheets and presentations through these online services… this also means that you can access your files from anywhere with internet access. Both of these options are great alternatives for some small businesses and schools as well.
Google Apps is also super easy to setup and use to give access to all of your users for unlimited email, calendar usage, static webpages, private/shared documents. Another option is OpenOffice. They offer tools for document/word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases and graphics which are all easy to install and easy to use.
I know that there will be some learning curve present, but Google can become your best friend with Open source software. If you have a problem or don’t know how to do something, just Google it… or you can look in each options Help, FAQ or Forums for solutions.
CODE EDITTING / DEVELOPING
Everyone who needs these tools are probably already aware of these tools, but there is absolutely no need to sink money into programming IDE’s when Eclipse is out there for free. You can even design and use plugins to make it even more compatible for whatever project you are working on. An example is CFEclipse (cfeclipse.org), which allows Eclipse to integrate auto-completion, help menus, etc. for Coldfusion programmers. As much as I love Dreamweaver, the new CS3 is $399 new! That is ridiculous when Eclipse is free, open source and considered to be one of the better programming IDE’s out there. Aside from it’s cost (or lack there of), it is fast, reliable, and easy to use.
GRAPHICS / PHOTO EDITING AND MANIPULATION
Okay, I’m all too aware that everyone raves about Photoshop, but many basic users do not need most of the features that Photoshop has to offer. A typical user and many advanced users can try the free and open source, feature friendly Paint.NET. Unless you are a graphic designer or regularly doing massive amounts of graphics work or photo manipulation, you will find that you don’t need the uber-expensive graphics tools. Just because they are “the best” doesn’t mean they are “the best for you”. Try free or inexpensive options before sinking hundreds into Photoshop.
Of course Picasa by Google is another great tool that is free to download, easy to use and great for integrating with your webpage or creating a free online web album. For Vista users, the Picture Viewer actually has some great additions for photo editing. You can now crop photos, adjust brightness, alter color levels and remove red eye right from your Windows Picture Viewer.
There are so many options available for many users… all you need to do is look for them. Don’t buy the first thing that you hear of people say they use it or its the best (remember, just because you overheard someone tell you that Rachel’s Steakhouse & Entertainment has the “best” desert in town, doesn’t mean you should go there with your mother-in-law without checking it out for yourself first.)
I hope that you consider trying some freeware and open source solutions… when you see that they are worth it, you can alway honor the developers and contributors with an online donation (which is typical with most open source projects)… even a $50 donation will be better spent and more appreciated that sending $300-500 to Microsoft or Adobe.
Enjoy and please post comments about other freeware and open source software projects that you have found that are equally as good (or better) use than their competitors.
Remember the first step is admitting that you have a problem.
Until next time…
Christie.
