Don't you dare pay for that software! Look here for FREE alternatives.

College Life
1

<p>This might be useful for some people.</p>

<p>If you’re on a budget, or just plain broke, you can’t afford to shell out for software. That sucks right? I mean you have papers due, you have assignments, photos to edit. No one wants viruses! </p>

<p>Well don’t fear. The Linux community grew a strong base of programmers and software engineers that decided to make open source alternatives to the expensive corporate software that dominated the market of the 90’s.</p>

<p>“But I don’t use Linux, I use Windows!”</p>

<p>So do I! This community decided to support orthodox users by making Windows compatible versions.</p>

<p>1) OpenOffice.org
-Alternative to Microsoft Office
[OpenOffice.org</a> - The Free and Open Productivity Suite](<a href=“http://www.openoffice.org/]OpenOffice.org”>http://www.openoffice.org/)
Free - Compatible Linux/ Windows/ Apple OSX
I used this for a while before I was given a student edition of Office 2007 from the IT department at my school. Why did they give it to me? Because my public advocation of Open Office got some scowling views from the IT department that Microsoft sponsors. Basically, it has a Word Processor with all the same formatting as Office Word 2007, but it can be SAVED in Microsoft Office format. So you don’t have to worry about sending incompatible files to professors or coeds. It also has Excel alternatives and Power Point alternatives. There are ways to import Office templates into OpenOffice as well and you can even CREATE PDF files!</p>

<p>2) Gimp

  • Alternative to Adobe Photoshop CS/2/3
    [GIMP</a> - The GNU Image Manipulation Program](<a href=“http://www.gimp.org/]GIMP”>http://www.gimp.org/)
    Free - Compatible Linux/ Windows/ Apple OSX
    I used this as well, and still do as the student edition of Photoshop CS3 does NOT allow you to keep publishing. Gimp is a VERY solid photo editing application, very fast, has very good plugin and community support. The best part is, the community support is much better since more users have access to it. </p>

<p>3) Blender

  • Alternative to Maya or 3d Studio Max
    [blender.org</a> - Home](<a href=“http://www.blender.org/]blender.org”>http://www.blender.org/)
    Free - Compatible Linux/ Windows/ Apple OSX
    My friend used this for a while, as trust me, 3d Studio Max and Maya are VERY expensive. It’s a very good program and a lot of the interface and usage is universally similar to the more expensive mainstream programs. So you don’t have to worry about your skills being rusty when you convert to commercial. </p>

<p>4) a) ImgBurn

  • Alternative to Roxio/Nero
    [The</a> Official ImgBurn Website](<a href=“http://www.imgburn.com/]The”>http://www.imgburn.com/)
    Free - Compatible with Windows
    This is a very good burning suite for many different Cd/DVD types. Unfortunately it’s only Windows compatible. It runs fine using Wine on Linux, but I have other alternatives. :slight_smile:
    b) BurnX Free
  • Alternative to Roxio/Nero
    [Welcome</a> to HernanSoft - Software for Macintosh - BurnX - Captura - Label it Zip - Modem Light](<a href=“http://www.hernansoft.com/products.html]Welcome”>http://www.hernansoft.com/products.html)
    Free - Compatible with OSX
    This is the alternative to a) that runs on OSX. It’s a very good program for simple DVD/CD burning tasks and I’ve heard good things about it. That website has other free software for OSX for various other tasks like screen capturing.</p>

<p>5) Thunderbird

  • Alternative to Outlook 2007
    [Mozilla</a> Thunderbird - Reclaim Your Inbox](<a href=“http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/all.html]Mozilla”>http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/all.html)
    Free - Compatible with Linux/ Apple OSX/ Windows
    If you’re not familiar with this, I’m sorry. lol. Think of what Firefox did to Internet Explorer and that’s exactly what Thunderbird SHOULD be doing to Windows Mail and Outlook. It’s very good, supports Outlook formats and PST files and it’s completely free. Great plug in and community support (has excellent plug ins for sorting and filtering). </p>

<p>6) Avidemux

  • Alternative to Adobe Premier, Final Cut
    [Avidemux</a> - Main Page](<a href=“http://fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/]Avidemux”>Avidemux - Main Page)
    Free - Compatible with Apple OSX/ Windows
    This is a good video editing software for free. It supports a lot of features and takes a little getting used to, but film production is on the rise, so this gives people a good idea of what editing is like so they can see if they like it. Significantly more features than the basic editors like Movie Maker or iMovie. </p>

<p>7) a) ClamXav

<p>So in conclusion, if you’re having trouble scrounging together cash, don’t let the “$70 plus installation” Norton Antivirus “deal” at Staples fool you. Norton is NOT a very good product and it’s certainly not worth $70. Using this suite of free open source software, you can save yourself $2000-3000 on software and you’ll gain the ability to produce and edit and perform tasks on your desktop guilt-free as you don’t have to worry about the FBI kicking your door down and dragging you to internet jail for using pirated software.</p>

2

<p>Great stuff! OpenOffice and ImgBurn are great programs to use, and ones that I’ve personally have had great experience working with. I’d also put a programs on here, if you don’t mind.</p>

<p>1. First is a program called “Super C” on there. It’s a video and audio conversion program that uses literally every codec I know of, and is completely free and a fully working (non-trial) program. I know there’s probably a few people who’d do media conversions on here :slight_smile:
<a href=“http://www.erightsoft.org/GetFile.php?SUPERsetup.exe[/url]”>http://www.erightsoft.org/GetFile.php?SUPERsetup.exe&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2. Also, a Microsoft alternative to Outlook on Windows 7 (standard on all new non-Mac notebooks) would be Windows Live Mail. It comes with a mail program similar to Outlook, along with a calendar organizer and contacts book. Personally, even though I have Office 2007 on my computer, I actually like Windows Live Mail more. It’s an excellent program for those of you who’d want to stick to the Microsoft brand.
<a href=“http://download.live.com/wlmail[/url]”>Windows Essentials - Microsoft Support;

<p>3. As for audio editing, Audacity is a great program. It has plenty of features for most users. It’s definitely lacking compared to SoundBooth, but for those who just want to clip and tinker with audio files, it’s more than enough.
Compatible with Windows, OSX, and Linux
<a href=“Audacity download | SourceForge.net”>Audacity download | SourceForge.net;

<p>Hope you don’t mind my suggestions, Essenar :)</p>

3

<p>If you are running open source software you are prone to virus attacks.</p>

4

<p>@briangt: Haven’t heard of that, could you cite some sources? I’d be interested in following up on that.</p>

<p>Even then though, with safe internet practices, it’s still tough to get a virus. Don’t go on strange sites, don’t click on links that you don’t 100% know where it leads to, and don’t download files you aren’t 100% sure are legitimate.</p>

5

<p>Wow, thanks so much for this thread : )</p>

6

<p>@briangt - Open source doesn’t mean that anyone can edit the code and upload it on the site and it certainly doesn’t mean that it’s “open” to intrusions. Open source just means that anyone can access the code, so they can change it on their end for their own uses. It also means it’s non-profit (usually). Not all of my suggestions are “open source” either. Some are just free or .org projects. </p>

<p>But please, don’t just say things like that without citing sources or defending your claim. It’s rather condescending to people who have worked with information systems and software for years and know these things like the back of our hands.</p>

7

<p>Although open source software have their holes more visible, the nature of their development makes the software inherently more secure. This is because everyone gets access to the source code, and as a result, security holes are quickly found and fixed. In contrast, it’s harder to find the security holes in closed source software, but if they are found, the publisher (instead of just any fellow contributor) has to fix it, if they decide to fix it.</p>

<p>In any case, this is an excellent list. I personally started with Linux first, and that’s how I was introduced to all the software. In any case, this list is an excellent, gentle introduction to open source software. Once you get used to all the software on this list, you’ll find the migration to Linux to be very easy.</p>

<p>Mods or admins, please sticky!</p>

8

<p>GNU Octave is not a bad replacement for MATLAB.</p>

9

<p>You’re better off with Microsoft Security Essentials for antivirus/antispyware. The combo product generally performs quite well compared to discrete products.</p>

<p>Getting code changes into open source software is often challenging politically. You post your code for all you see and you have to respond to anyone that questions or challenges your change. You also have to get it reviewed by the person responsible for the module(s). Some OS projects allow you to submit security bugs where they aren’t disclosed until after they are fixed - they may even pay you for finding these.</p>