[vicsireland] Article on free software
- From: "Flor Lynch" <florlync@xxxxxx>
- To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:38:54 -0000
Thanks to Tony Scanlon for originally sharing this one.
Here is a link to an article on free alternative methods of running your
pc its probably stuff most of you will be aware of but just in case
thought I would pass it along
How to run your PC for free
By Mark Adams
Millions of PC users across the globe are rushing to upgrade their
computers to run the new Windows 7 software suite - and the latest
version of Microsoft's operating system is expected to smash sales
records following its launch last Friday (October 23).
The new version of Windows is Amazon's biggest-selling pre-order product
of all time and follows widespread disappointment with its unwieldy and
temperamental predecessor Windows Vista.
Yet loading your PC with the latest software doesn't come cheap - the
home edition of Windows 7 currently has a retail price of £79.99, until
January 1. After that it will cost £99.99. The 'Ultimate' edition for
business users, meanwhile, comes in at an eye-watering £199.99.
Throw in the cost of security and standard office software and you can
spend several hundred pounds merely equipping your computer with the
basics - yet simple, reliable and safe software is available online and
for free.
Why can I get free software? And, is it safe?
Microsoft packages still power 90% of the world's computers but you can
find programs just as powerful and reliable for nothing, thanks to the
rise in free and open-source software, pioneered by developers anxious
not to be tied to big software houses.
Free software can be used, modified, copied and redistributed without
restriction.
Open-source software is available for free under licence agreements that
allow other developers to improve, modify or alter the software package.
This licence system offers a guarantee of safety and reliability is
further backed up by the thousands of independent programmers testing
and fixing bugs of the software.
What's more, some software giants are getting in on the act, and even
Microsoft is offering its Security Essentials anti-virus software for
free. So, credibility and safety shouldn't be an issue.
Free office software
We'll come to Operating Systems later on, but if your computer (like
most from the high street) already has a basic Windows or Linux system
pre-installed, you don't have to splash out a further £119.99 for the
basic Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student edition - or even £449.99
for the professional edition. Indeed, many computer specialists claim
the free OpenOffice software suite is far superior.
OpenOffice is a free office application suite available for a number of
different computer operating systems.
The package is designed as a single piece of software comprising five
powerful applications: Writer, its word processing software: Calc, its
spreadsheet creator: Impress for creating multi-media presentations:
Draw for creating simple graphics: and Base which allows you to create
and maintain databases.
The best download for most users will be the OpenOffice.org 3.1.1 suite,
which is compatible with all versions of Windows up to and including
Vista, as well as most Apple Mac operating systems, including the new
Snow Leopard v 10.6.
Better still, it's also compatible with previous versions of Microsoft
Office, including version 7 - so you can amend and open your existing
files. If all that seems daunting, there are solid alternatives
available online which you don't have to install but are only operable
when you're logged on to the internet.
An alternative online office suite worth considering is ThinkFree
Office. This is a web-based word processor, spreadsheet and presentation
package that boasts 100% compatibility with all versions of Microsoft
Office and is very easy to use. It's also intuitive, allowing users to
use existing Office keyboard shortcuts.
Free security software
Regularly updating your PC with the latest anti-virus software and
Firewall packages isn't just time-consuming - buying annual versions of
the leading internet security suites can also set you back at least £40
every year.
Yet there are solid, reliable alternatives available online to download
for free. And if you're worried about credibility, you'll be reassured
to know that even Microsoft offers protection for free. Its Security
Essentials suite promises "high-quality, hassle-free antivirus
protection for your home PC" and boasts automatic updates, full
compatibility with all versions of Windows and malware detection and
removal.
The only requirement is that you own a legitimate copy of Windows XP,
Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Another powerful free alternative is the Avast anti-virus package -
unlike with the Microsoft package, anti-spyware software to help detect
dormant malicious code is built-in and it too offers automatic regular
updates. The software boasts more than 80 million users worldwide, which
suggests it's safe.
Finally, it's worth supplementing security software with additional
malware protection to monitor the safety of websites you visit - Ad
Aware is a free program that that detects and removes malware, spyware
and adware on your computer.
Free operating systems and browsers
You don't even have to pay for Windows - although you'll have to be very
technically competent if you want to do away with the industry standard.
Fast, reliable operating systems are available to power your computer
for free, thanks to open-source developers.
These are typically Linux-based and the most popular is provided by
Ubuntu. It contains all the applications that come with Windows and is
free to install - so if you really hate Windows Vista, you may not need
to upgrade after all.
One distinct advantage offered by Linux operating systems is better
internet surfing. The Mozilla Firefox web browser is a faster, more
reliable alternative than the temperamental Windows Explorer.
And the free stuff doesn't end there...
It's worth closing by pointing out that, whatever your computing need,
there's a reliable free package that will satisfy it. Open-source video
player Videolan offers a superior experience to the clunky Windows Media
Player 11, while if you want to chop, stretch and edit your photos
Irfranview will allow you to do most things Photoshop does for free.
More from lovemoney.com
===========================================================
The vicsireland mailing list
To unsubscribe at any time send a mail to:
vicsireland-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
with the word "unsubscribe", without the quotes in the subject of the message.
To contact the moderator send mail to:
tim.j.culhane@xxxxxxxxx
For mor information on the Visually Impaired Computer Society visit:
http://www.vicsireland.org
Other related posts:
- » [vicsireland] Article on free software - Flor Lynch
