From word processing to image editing, you can get software that can be used for free and legally. Not only that you are able to operate with integrity because you know the anti-piracy agents won't be swooping down on your office bringing with media attention that would give a negative image. I'm recommending them to you because I have used them at one time or another and would not hesitate to use them again if the need arises. So here is my run-down:
OPENOFFICE.ORG
There is no reason that you need to use Microsoft Office software exclusively in your office, especially if you can't afford a legal copy. the MS Office software suite easily costs over $200. You can download the free OpenOffice.org and never miss a feature. OpenOffice can do almost 90% of what MS Office offers you. Think about it, how many of us ever use 80% of MS Word's features. Download it at www.openoffice.org.
PICASA
This one is one of the best, and FREE, image viewer, asset management and basic image manipulation siftware around. You can use Picasa to download photos from your digital camera, rename it, edit your photos down and do basic post-processing such as cropping, red-eye reduction. For the Facebook afficionado, there is an automatic function to upload your photos to your account. Ain't that cool! There are evensome nifty photo output options that youcn do to present your photos. Get the sotware at the Google's Picasa site.
COMODO ANTI-VIRUS AND FIREWALL
If you area a PC user, you would definitely need an anti-virus software. If you have a 24-hour broadband connection then you should not continue surfing the internet without a firewall. I highly recommend the Comodo Software's anti-virus and firewall software. Aside frombeing free, it has been named by PC Magazine as an Editor's Choice. I have personally used their firewall and it did a good job of detecting intrusions. To ge the software, go to their website at www.comodo.com and click on the FREE PRODUCTS BUTTON.
CHROME and SAFARI BROWSER
Microsoft's Internet Explore has been ridiculed by the industry as having a lot of security holes. The current version 8 has been receiving good reviews but you may want to try out Google's own Chrome browser and the Mozilla Foundation's Safari as an alternative. I especially love Chrome's way of putting the most recent sites you went to every time you open a tab. Both are free and relatively safe to use.
THUNDERBIRD
This is your alternative to Microsoft Outlook as your email client. It can import your existing email. It also provides adequate security from malwares, phishing scams, etc. Get it at the same place as Safari at the Mozilla Foundation.
SKYPE
Expensive long distance phone calls are a thing of the past, domestically but for international calls, youwon't go wrong with Skype's VOIP network. It provides a very decent signal for Skype-to-skype calls. You can also use it to call other network's phones for a small fee. But why do that? Its so easy to hook your friends, colleagues and family up. Download it at Skype's website.
All the software I enumerate above are free to download, install and distribute, albeit for free. You cannot sell them as part of a package. The only problem I see to people using it is becuase we have been so accustomed to using the same thing. We also have a mindset that we will be incompatible with the rest of the world if we use these software. Well, that is not true.
By the way, don't forget to buy a genuine license of Windows 7 or Mac OS Xwhen you buy a new computer. You'll feel better.
There is no reason that you need to use Microsoft Office software exclusively in your office, especially if you can't afford a legal copy. the MS Office software suite easily costs over $200. You can download the free OpenOffice.org and never miss a feature. OpenOffice can do almost 90% of what MS Office offers you. Think about it, how many of us ever use 80% of MS Word's features. Download it at www.openoffice.org.
This one is one of the best, and FREE, image viewer, asset management and basic image manipulation siftware around. You can use Picasa to download photos from your digital camera, rename it, edit your photos down and do basic post-processing such as cropping, red-eye reduction. For the Facebook afficionado, there is an automatic function to upload your photos to your account. Ain't that cool! There are evensome nifty photo output options that youcn do to present your photos. Get the sotware at the Google's Picasa site.
If you area a PC user, you would definitely need an anti-virus software. If you have a 24-hour broadband connection then you should not continue surfing the internet without a firewall. I highly recommend the Comodo Software's anti-virus and firewall software. Aside frombeing free, it has been named by PC Magazine as an Editor's Choice. I have personally used their firewall and it did a good job of detecting intrusions. To ge the software, go to their website at www.comodo.com and click on the FREE PRODUCTS BUTTON.
Microsoft's Internet Explore has been ridiculed by the industry as having a lot of security holes. The current version 8 has been receiving good reviews but you may want to try out Google's own Chrome browser and the Mozilla Foundation's Safari as an alternative. I especially love Chrome's way of putting the most recent sites you went to every time you open a tab. Both are free and relatively safe to use.
This is your alternative to Microsoft Outlook as your email client. It can import your existing email. It also provides adequate security from malwares, phishing scams, etc. Get it at the same place as Safari at the Mozilla Foundation.
Expensive long distance phone calls are a thing of the past, domestically but for international calls, youwon't go wrong with Skype's VOIP network. It provides a very decent signal for Skype-to-skype calls. You can also use it to call other network's phones for a small fee. But why do that? Its so easy to hook your friends, colleagues and family up. Download it at Skype's website.
All the software I enumerate above are free to download, install and distribute, albeit for free. You cannot sell them as part of a package. The only problem I see to people using it is becuase we have been so accustomed to using the same thing. We also have a mindset that we will be incompatible with the rest of the world if we use these software. Well, that is not true.
By the way, don't forget to buy a genuine license of Windows 7 or Mac OS Xwhen you buy a new computer. You'll feel better.
