Home
>
Software
>
Free Software - Powerful Alternatives to Budget-Busting Software

Free Software - Powerful Alternatives to Budget-Busting Software

When you buy a computer, it most likely comes with Microsoft Windows preinstalled. And when you need a word processor, spreadsheet, or other software, you probably buy it from a computer store. That software is vital. Without it, a computer is just an expensive paperweight.

But you can find free and low-cost alternatives to commercial software. Free software has been available for years but has never been so accessible to everyday computer users. These programs have long been the domain of, well, geeks - experts who were willing to download huge programs from the Internet and who knew how to compile the programs from source code. But free software is entering the mainstream, thanks to faster Internet connections and easier-to-use installers that don't require a degree in computer science.

Free software appeals to those on a budget as well as anyone who simply wants another choice. Examples of free software include GNU/Linux, an operating system that replaces Microsoft Windows; OpenOffice, a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation manager suite; and The GIMP, an image editor that rivals Adobe Photoshop. A PC with GNU/Linux preinstalled can cost hundreds of dollars less than a Microsoft Windows PC.

Free software takes time and money to run, and Microsoft will eagerly tell you that the total cost of ownership for GNU/Linux is umpteen times higher than Windows. But advocates of free software say cost is not the only issue.

"Free software means the users are in control," says Richard Stallman, founder of the not-for-profit Free Software Foundation. "Each non-free program has an owner, a feudal lord in effect, who dominates the program and its users. The owners of non- free software often impose changes on the users, changes meant to suit them, not us."

Free software advocates say there are two kinds of free: free as in "free beer" and free as in "free speech." They're both good but for different reasons. The mantra of the Free Software Foundation is "Free software' is a matter of liberty, not price." Commercial software licenses - those wordy, legalese-filled documents that no one actually reads before clicking "I Agree" when installing software - usually impose strict limits: You can't install the software on more than one computer; if it doesn't work the way you want, you can't change it; and so on. Free software often has a license too, but it's far less restrictive. Users can amend the software to make it better.

"The main advantage is the community of people who will continue to improve the software on a voluntary basis, especially as it relates to security flaws," says Irwin Taranto, treasurer of the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians. Case in point is Mozilla Firefox, a web browser that's emphasizes speed and security. The program has taken a quick foothold amongst Internet users who are tired of the security flaws in Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Most free software can be downloaded from the Internet. The programs are sometimes large, so a fast Internet connection helps. Some programs are sold in stores. Many free software licenses allow others to sell the software. Although it may seem ironic, free software users often opt to pay in exchange for value-added features such as printed documentation, a CD installer, and technical support.

The next time you need software for your computer, you might consider free alternatives. It may not be as free as free beer, but it can be as liberating as free speech.

Kevin Savetz is a freelance technology journalist who has written for more than 80 publications. He is the founder of FreeDownloadADay.com, which features high-quality technology journalist. You can subscribe to the site's technology journalist, which is also free.

professional home cleaners Morton Grove ..

In The News:

The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest developments on artificial intelligence, with news on OpenAI moving to soon allow erotica for adult users.

Eric Schmidt alerts that hackers can reverse-engineer AI models to bypass safety measures, citing examples like the jailbroken ChatGPT variant called DAN.

Cybercriminals exploit Microsoft Teams through impersonation, malicious links and fake profiles to gather intel and deliver ransomware to personal and work devices.

Google, Dior, Allianz and dozens of other companies lost sensitive customer data in Salesforce-related breaches affecting millions of records across multiple sectors.

Apple launches iOS 26 with new Preview app that combines document editing, PDF annotation and scanning features into one streamlined iPhone experience.

New AI road monitoring system uses sensor-embedded fabric to predict infrastructure problems, potentially reducing maintenance costs and traffic disruptions for cities.

Holiday charity scams target retirees through lookalike organization names, untraceable payment requests, and data broker information to steal donations.

The Federal Trade Commission says criminals are posing as IRS agents, law enforcement officers or other officials, often over the phone or online, to steal thousands of dollars at a time.

AI phishing scams now use voice cloning and deepfake technology to trick victims, but Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals warning signs to watch for.

Inversion Space unveils Arc, a reusable reentry vehicle that can deliver up to 500 pounds of cargo from orbit to anywhere on Earth in under an hour.

Red flags like processing fees, urgent countdowns and requests for full Social Security numbers expose fraudulent settlement sites targeting consumers.

Comprehensive analysis of Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps examines usability, routing accuracy, data handling and features across the top navigation platforms.

Expert analysis reveals whether wired Ethernet or wireless Wi-Fi connections are safer for home internet use, plus practical steps to secure your network from attackers.

Australian construction robot Charlotte uses sand, crushed brick and recycled glass to 3D print fireproof, floodproof homes with reduced carbon footprint.

Cybercriminals are using fake invitation emails to trick recipients into downloading malware and stealing personal information and data.

Flying drones could help retailers fight a 93% increase in theft rates as Flock Safety promotes airborne security systems to track suspects and deter crime.

The Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter brings you the latest news on the emerging technology every Saturday, highlighting top stories.

Hacker group Radiant stole data from 8,000 children at Kido nursery chain, demanding ransom and directly contacting parents with intimidation tactics.

As 18 states implement bell-to-bell cell phone bans, creative students use Google Docs, iMessage on MacBooks and Post-It notes to stay connected in class.

A sheriff's captain says deputies often spend hours writing reports between calls, but Axon's AI program, Draft One, helps them save crucial time in the field.

Sora 2, OpenAI's new video-generation app, can create AI-generated videos based on a singular prompt. The results are both mind-blowing and terrifying.

iPhone and Android users can reduce Wi-Fi calling battery drainage through settings adjustments, background app limits and stronger Wi-Fi connections.

Work email scams are becoming harder to detect as criminals use AI and spoofed addresses to trick employees into opening malicious attachments and links.

From her Arizona living room, Christina Chapman ran a covert hub that helped North Korean operatives infiltrate U.S. firms, netting $17 million in stolen salaries.

UC Santa Barbara researchers developed a soft robotic intubation system that achieved 100% success rates for experts and 96% for paramedics with minimal training.