Open Source Software & OpenOffice.org…
I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Open Source Software (OSS), but I am a big fan. OSS is software where any one can see the code (or source) that the program was written with. This is key for several reasons.
1) It is less likely to find spy ware or other hidden things in software because programmers and other geeks of that nature can look at the code they are using.
2) It is often free.
3) You can tweak it to meet your needs.
An example of OSS is a program called OpenOffice.org (OOo). This is a free office suite that is comparable in many ways to Microsoft Office (MSO). OOo is an open source program and MSO is closed source. Anyone is allowed to see the source of OOo, tweak it, compile it, and use it or sell or give it away! MSO on the other hand, if you install the software you paid an arm and a leg for more than 10 times you have to pay for it AGAIN! OOo, is free. The list of reasons to get OOo is long, and it is an amazing thing. I read a great article about a school switching which prompted this post here.
Other great OSS program include:
- Mozilla FireFox — Web Browser
- Mozilla Thunderbird — E-Mail
- GAIM — Instant Messenger that works with AOL, Yahoo, MSN, and ICQ
- GIMP — Graphics program that can replace PhotoShop in most way
And there are many others. SourceForge has a lot of OSS programs. For a good compilation, check out TheOpenCD. They have a group of free OSS apps for Windows. It is a good safe way to start.
Anyways, I am done with this now. I am just AMAZED at the amount of free software out there, and want to spread the word!
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