Law Technology

Free Software Alternatives for Anti-virus, Budgeting, and Photo Editing

By Yana Siganur

There is a world of software that exists outside of boxed packages and far away from dollar signs out there on the interweb. Very few people realize that the commercial software they?re told they need to buy has free open source alternatives ? if not superiors ? that even professionals are using. The next time you consider buying a program for $175 or even $2.50, remember that there is a good chance that a free substitute is a mere Google search away.

First up, every PC user needs to ensure their precious system is protected. That is why nearly every new computer comes with a free one year subscription to McAfee ($50) or Norton ($100). However, most commercial antivirus software still has trouble recognizing certain websites or programs, and even has issues cooperating with Vista. The free version of avast! integrates flawlessly with nearly any system ? and it does its job very well. The program receives daily automatic updates to ensure that your computer is protected against all types of malware and spyware (including the latest cyber baddies to hit the scene).

Second, money is something everyone has to worry about ? ESPECIALLY those of us with ever-growing school loans. So why not use a money managing application to help track our budgets, credit cards, bills, etc.? Is it because software like QuickBooks costs an average of $60? Probably. So in the alternative, try Mint. This site has been receiving awards roughly every few hours since its launch and is recognized by big name publications like PC Magazine and Money Magazine. Not only will your sensitive information be kept safe on this site, but it will also adapt to your particular needs. It can give you a visual of where the bulk of your money is going (via pie charts and bar graphs); you can access it on smartphones, Blackberries, and iPhones; and it has enough functionality to help you make better decisions on your loans, investments, and personal budgets.

And finally, for those of you out there who dabble (or are expert) in graphics, there is hope in the form of a free alternative to Photoshop ($699). Behold GIMP. Short for ?GNU Image Manipulation Program? (GNU stands for ?GNU?s Not Unix? but that really doesn?t matter if you are not a geek), this program can help you create images or edit the ones you have. There are user manuals to help you create whatever you want ? and they are free, unlike Photoshop?s official tutorial books, which cost $25-$40 at Barnes & Noble. In addition, GIMP has a very unique support for input devices like Tablet PCs as well as USB or MIDI controllers. Once it is set up, you can use a device to change the size, angle or opacity of a brush while you paint.

In short, just because it is a great piece of software, does not necessarily mean there is no free alternative. Check out OS-Alt for more free alternatives .

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Full post as published by Social Media Law Student on March 23, 2010 (boomark / email).