The Alternative - Open-source software
Applications you use everyday can be quite expensive if you stick with what's used by the masses. But there is so much more available to you if you look a little further. I'm not saying there isn't software worth a few bucks (I paid for Total Commander, Tag&Rename, ESET NOD32 Antivirus for instance) but there is a free alternative. Open-source Software (OSS) is such a option, although freeware software like Paint.NET (alternative to Paint on steroids) and Foobar2000 (highly customizable alternative to Winamp) are great too. However in this little post I'll be sticking to OSS.
Open-source Software (OSS) is computer software for which the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms. It is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner.This makes OSS great, it stimulates people with the skill to improve software to contribute via online communities. This way the software keeps improving and bugs get crushed. So why not try out an alternative to some of the pesky expensive software you use?
Some of the alternative Open-source Software I use, listed with either description or equivalent:
- Open Office (Microsoft Office)
- Audacity (digital audio editor)
- GIMP (Adobe Photoshop)
- Pidgin (cross-platform multi instant messenger)
- 7-zip (Winzip)
- Notepad++ (UltraEdit)
- VLC (Windows Media Player)
- KeePass (password management ulitity)
- InfraRecorder (Ahead's Nero burning rom)