How to get almost everything free on the Internet

By SAM WARD

There are so many computer programs that empty your pocketbook that people glaze over the free programs. There are so many of these programs, that people don’t know what to use. However, I have done some research, and here is my recommendations for anyone who just want free, non-pirated, legal programs. Unless otherwise stated, all programs are open source, for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and under the General Public License (GPL).

OpenOffice.Org is in its second version and is an office suite and has similar features to the Microsoft Office Professional, except it doesn’t have Publisher, nor Outlook. It does have Writer (similar to Word), Calc (Excel), Base (Access, which is a database program), Impress (PowerPoint), Math, and Draw. In Math, you are able to make true equations without the need for substitutions. Draw allows you to make your own pictures and clipart, plus the ability to create your own flash animations. Plus, you can import from virtually any program, including the obscure office packages, and the ability to make your own acrobat PDF files. To get this software on CD or download, go to www.openoffice.org.

The GNU (pronounced guh-new) Image Manipulation Program, also known as GIMP, is an image editing program similar to Photoshop. It can apply effects to images, such as an aged look, or like they have been sketched, etched, etc. It supports multiple file formats (Photoshop, Bitmap, gif, jpg and many others), and can be added on. For more information, and to download GIMP, go to www.gimp.org.

Firefox is licensed under the Mozilla Public License. Firefox is a web browser alternative to Microsoft Internet Explorer with increased functionality. Firefox has a built-in pop-up blocker for those annoying pop-ups, and most importantly tabbed browsing. Tabbed browsing allows you to load multiple web pages within a single window. Other advantages are downloadable themes and directly installable extensions that customize your experience. For more information and to download Firefox, go to www.getfirefox.com.
Thunderbird, also licensed under the MPL, is a free e-mail and news reader. Like Firefox, it has Downloadable themes and extensions for use. It includes a spellchecker, junk mail filters, and support for all standard mail protocols. For more information and to download Thunderbird, go to www.getthunderbird.com.

Gaim is an instant messenger for Windows and Linux. Gaim is compatible with many protocols, including AIM, MSN and Yahoo. Besides the standard features, such as file transfer, typing notification, and MSN window closing notifications, there is also buddy pounce, which notifies you when a buddy signs on, goes away or returns from idle and plug-ins for text replacement, extended message notification, spell checking, tabbed conversations, among others. For more information, go to gaim.sourceforge.net.

If you like the addicting games of Civilization, but don’t want to pay for it, there is something called Freeciv. It includes the rulesets from Civ 1 and 2, with added bonuses, including custom rulesets, sounds, and tilesets. If you can’t find your OS, you can compile it from source, and install from there. For more information, go to www.freeciv.org.