Don't buy software! Get bug-free software (freeware) I promise!!!

Hello everyone, I have been slacking on my posts to this blog. I want to ensure everyone that my intent is to truly help those out there that need to save money. My whole philosophy, to-date, is to spend nothing if I can and never buy anything if I don't have to. This brings me to computer software. This can be controversial and confusing to many. Let me break it down to everyone here. There a two basic ways to not pay for software: First, there's illegal ways to acquire and use software. And then there are legitimate ways. I will only discuss the legitimate and legal ways. I will be giving you valuable tools to help you save a lot of *dough* (a.k.a. money) and, in my opinion, keeping you from wasting the money too.

There's one website I swear by. This website is called Softpedia.com - http://www.softpedia.com. They have all kinds of programs. For either Mac or PC, and for any OS too. You can specify your search to filter out Shareware, Trials, and Adware.

I want anyone that is interested in using a program for some time, and is determined to not spend any money on software to filter licenses only by either/all of these options "GPL" and "Freeware" on Softpedia.com. I urge anyone that wants an better explanation to go here --> http://www.softpedia.com/user/licensing_free.shtml

Ok. So I at least gave you one good source and for me it has worked. I really only go to that website when I need a certain program. Like the other day I wanted a program to convert my .AVI file to split .JPEG frames. I did a search on "AVI", then I chose "Freeware" from the options under licensing in the search options.

Other must have programs/software everyone should have.

A Good AntiVirus Program: "Avira AntiVir"
This program is absolutely free and ad free. It is one of the top-three AV programs out there that gets 99% of all viruses. Adding a spyware program and firewall will cover that other .99% (*Look at the following paragraphs for my recommendations). There isn't a AV or Spyware out there that any virus maker couldn't defeat. That's why I say .99%. Way better than buying Norton or McAfee. These programs actually are around tenth place usually and don't provide as quality protection as everyone thinks. Plus, there way to complex and resource intensive (which means it will slow your computer down!).

A Good Spyware Program: "SpyBot Search & Destroy"
This program, again, is absolutely free!!! What it will do is immunize your system from future invasive adware and "spyware" (programs that actually run in the background of your system whenever you go online and install programs such as AIM, Yahoo IM, and many other programs.... all of these programs identify your interests and habits to help websites choose which ads are best targetted to you. Something you don't want.). This program also prevents pop-ups. And works a lot like Vista, which whenever a new program gets installed or registry values get changed should ask you whether you want to install or not. A great idea which tells you if you haven't chosen to install an program, and a SpyBot message pops up, it's either an update (which is ok) or spyware/adware (which is not ok).

A Good Firewall Program: "Comodo Firewall"
This is a firewall. Many like keeping it simple and using windows firewall, however, if you are like most people out there then all your services are running in the background which are like "open house invitations" for hackers. If anyone is interested please do a search on either to "better secure my Windows OS" or "disabling unused windows services for security" or "windows os vulnerabities". And then should be able to see what I am talking about.
I like Comodo, first of all because it is FREE. And second, because it's rated with the top paid-for firewall programs; such as BitDefender (which was the top firewall and not sure if it still is ...but was always really good!)
It can be set for beginners, which learns your system settings overtime. If anyone has problems with this firewall it's easy to disable it to troubleshoot if the firewall is the cause of the interruption of your internet connection too! And I can assure everyone it works without any compatibility issues with the spyware and av programs I have mentioned above. Well, at least on Windows Vista home anyways.

The three programs above, are like the "holy trinity" of must-have programs for internet surfing now a days. Considering one single website could possibly have 1000s of viruses/spyware/adware waiting to infect any computer that visits.
All of these programs can be found as "Freeware" on Softpedia.com.

Other programs that I recommend checking out are listed below (Direct links provided!):

OpenOffice.org - http://www.openoffice.org/
This is a more-than-suitable replacement for Windows Office. Not only is it compatible with MSOffice, but it's also cross-compatible with all other database and word programs out there. I would recommend trashing MS Office and just use this. Uses less system resources and way less complicated.

Mozilla FireFox 3 (Web-browser) - http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
This is a web-browser you can use instead of Windows Internet Explorer. In my experience it's much more adaptable to any individuals needs. You can make it your own with all the add-ons that can be installed. Although Windows IE has become much better surfing and security wise, FireFox has no doubt kept at least one step ahead of MS IE. I would recommend this program to anyone and I feel most would love all the different add-ons available for this browser too.

WinAmp.com (Music player) - http://www.winamp.com/
This program is an easy-to-use media player. It can play a variety of media file types, along with more with installation of add-ons. I love it. It is fast, small, adaptable, multi-use, and much more compatible to other forms of media types. I'd recommend this program for mp3s and similar music files. *For video files, see next paragraph.

VLC Player - AWESOME Video Player that plays anything that is or was a video file!!!
Just check it out. I remember I had an ISO video file once. I was supposed to burn it to disc, but after discovering the VLC Player could play it I haven't wasted a single DVD since. It's great. And never let me down. It has played everything I have tried so far with it.

20 Jun 2009 - More Added

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program - A Free Adobe photoshop alternative. Not to be confused as an Adobe product! This program has all the functions of photoshop and it's free. This program rocks! I have since stopped using photoshop and started using this program because I don't have to pay for add-ons and so many users make add-ons on a regular basis there's no need to worry that the functionality of this program will be limited. If you like programs like Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro, then try GIMP.

Here's 3 FREE programs for web-design I have found through an recent issue of "Website Magazine" KompoZer, Bluefish, and Quanta Plus. All are said to be suitable replacements for the Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 software. I haven't taken a try just yet at these programs. But I intend to go forward with some of my website ideas in the future and I'll be sure to give these programs a try first. If anyone gives one of these programs a try please let me know how you like any of them.

Openfire + Spark; these programs must be used in conjunction. Both of these programs are stated as a suitable replacement of Inbit Corporate Messenger Server. These programs allow you to run a cross-platform instant message server.

FileZilla- A free FTP client.

Rank Checker- An SEO tool to help determine your web ranking. Everyone that has a website uses SEO and other available means to get traffic.

GnuCash - Free accounting software It's a suitable replacement for Microsoft's MoneyPlus. I am downloading this software and going to try it out. I used to like Intuits Quickbooks until they started charging for accessing your online bank statements. Try it out and let me know how you like it.

Here's a ggggrreattt!! website to find Free alternatives to the paying software all of us felt we were felt forced to have. Go here OSALT.com - http://www.osalt.com. Check it out, it's a must for anyone who wishes to save money on software.





I wish these above recommendations not only saves all of you money, but also saves you further trouble, and gives you an idea that you never have to settle with what a supposed computer-professional suggests you buy when you always have the option to find a suitable substitute program that will do the same thing. And just as another example, you don't have to fork out $100 for Windows OS, just go to Debian GNU/Linux - http://www.debian.org/ (This is an alternative free OS available to all; for any computer application there's an option with this OS.).

~John

P.S. Any questions or comments? Just comment and I'll get back with you as soon as I can.