Quite often we need software and don't have the money to buy them. At this point we are faced with a decision: Shall I just download it illegally or not?
By Law this is illegal and you can be prosecuted for doing this. Another danger are viruses that are often hidden in files you download.
There is another option. There are plenty of free programs that are an alternative to the expensive ones. Often they can do exactly the same as the one you were looking to buy.
Here is a list of some alternative programs
Microsoft Office
This is a programme most people need and is very expensive. Open Office is a very good alternative to Microsoft Office. It can open pretty much all MS Office files except Access. You can also save them as MS Office files.
Another alternative is Google Docs. Yes thats right Google. You can create Spreadsheets, Presentations and Text Documents online or you can upload existing ones. The advantage is that you can access them from anywhere as long as you have internet access. You can also share them with other people online.
Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver is quite expensive but why not simply try PHP Designer. There is a Personal Edition available which is free of charge but comes with limits. It is quite good and has very useful features.
Nero
Nero isn't that expensive but you can still get it cheaper. Have a look at CD Burner XP. You can pretty much do anything you can o with Nero. Create ISO's, burn ISO's, burn DVD's and much much more.
Maya, 3D Max
These programes are very expensive. A Free option is Blender. It is available for Windows, Linux and Mac and produces amazing results.
Photoshop
Another expensive programe some people can't/wont live without. Download Gimp and produce results that are just like the one from Photoshop but free.
Outlook
Alot of people use Outlook and don't even know that there is software available that does exactly the same and is free. Thunderbird has proven to be very good and very cheap.
I will soon post the next part covering Antivirus and more and also provide more free alternatives to some of the above programs.
