Cheap Computing
- 1. Vic Laurie
- 2. Is free stuff any good? What’s the catch? Are there any problems? What does “free” really mean? Is it safe? What free stuff is available? Where do I get it?
- 3. “Freeware is not a cheap or second-class option - it can often be functionally superior to equivalent commercial software and even of higher quality.” The Open Source - http://sourceforge.net/ Many substantial free programs from major companies Many excellent small programs from individuals or small businesses
- 4. Internet browsers ◦ Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera Blogging software and content management ◦ Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress Web site management ◦ Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP Office suites ◦ OpenOffice, LibreOffice Adobe Flash and Reader
- 5. Some authors create software simply to help others and/or to enhance their reputation Some authors hope you will be generous and donate a few bucks Authors can earn a living by customizing and supporting their software Some free programs have big brothers that the authors hope you’ll buy Some programs are free for a while and then become pay applications But sometimes there is a problem
- 6. Limited features Software may be buggy Interface may be very minimal and hard to use Not as polished Limited support Software may install unwanted additional programs Software may actually be malware
- 7. Some programs are actually free with no strings Donationware Nagware Trialware Crippleware Adware Foistware Malware
- 8. 1. Find out what is available 2. Find out how good it is 3. Find a reputable and safe source 4. Back up system 5. Download and check file with antivirus 6. Install
- 9. Download from reputable sites only Check with anti-virus before installing Check with program like Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/products) Check online at VirusTotal (http://www.virustotal.com) Back up system before installing anything
- 10. Computer software and utilities Office suites Music Video eBooks Games And much more
- 11. Avast! (May try to install Chrome browser} Microsoft Security Essentials Panda Cloud Antivirus Avira AntiVir AVG Antivirus Discussion and download links at http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free- anti-virus-software.htm
- 12. Picasa - Photo management Paint.NET - Photo and picture editing 7-Zip – File archiver Avidemux – Video editor KMPlayer – Video player Audacity – Audio editor
- 13. Softpedia - http://www.softpedia.com/ Snapfiles http://www.snapfiles.com/ FileHippo - http://www.filehippo.com/ MajorGeeks - http://www.majorgeeks.com/ CNET – http://download.com (Requires you to install their proprietary downloader)
- 14. IrfanView 7-Zip Replicator Notepad++ FileZilla TrueCrypt MalwareBytes Microsoft Security Essentials LastPass Sysinternals
- 16. Music ◦ http://freemusicarchive.org/ ◦ http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-download-free- music/ ◦ http://limewire.groove-stream.com ◦ http://www.mp3raid.com/ eBooks ◦ http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/50- places-free-books-online.htm#genre_pages Actually now has 464 places
- 17. http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free- pc-games.htm ◦ Jigsaw puzzles ◦ Online games ◦ Sudoku ◦ Board games ◦ Children’s games
- 21. 200 Free Outstanding Online Classes ◦ http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/200- free-outstanding-online-classes.htm 425 Free Online Courses from Top Universities ◦ http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses MIT ◦ http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
- 22. Many PC users need never spend another dime for software after they get their new PC (or tablet or phone) Be cheap and enjoy the world of freeware! THE END