If this text is in a tall narrow bar you are using Internet Explorer 6. This is
non-standard, in fact a typical Microsoft product. Either upgrade to version 7
or 8, or better still use Firefox.
Hardware gets cheaper but a lot of software doesn't. This is my list of good
software that is free or cheap.
OpenOffice (previously Star Office)
This is as good as, or better than, Microsoft Excel and Word. It can open and save
Microsoft Office files and in most cases looks and feels the same, and you can use
Impress in place of PowerPoint. OpenOffice also contains a draw package and an
equation editor, though the latter is a bit clunky. The only thing I don't like is that you can't
set a different default file storage directory for each part of the system, e.g. Writer, Calc
and Impress.
Download from: http://download.openoffice.org/
AVG free anti-virus and anti-spyware software
AVG/Grisoft produces excellent antivirus software. It picks up more viruses than Norton
and is free. You can also buy a commercial version with a firewall for $70 US for 2 years.
The company has just introduced free anti-spyware software. Computer Shopper tested
it against the other packages, most of which have to be bought, and it came out as best
'buy'. After 30 days you lose automatic updates and a few other features but again you
can buy the full package.
Download either or both from: http://free.grisoft.com/
Mozilla Firefox
This is the best web browser. The others always have to catch up when Mozilla
introduces new ideas like tabs. I trust its security better than Internet Explorer. There are
lots of good add-ons like Stumble. However it is possible for others to view the passwords
that Firefox stores on your computer. You must set a master password using
tools/option/privacy. You might choose Netscape or Opera instead, which
are also free.
Download from: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
Mozilla Thunderbird
This is an email package that does the same as Microsoft Outlook. However it does not
arrogantly prevent you from attaching files such as Access mdb files. It credits you with
knowing what you're doing.
Download from: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
An alternative is Eudora at http://www.eudora.com/download/.
Skype
This is a Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service. When used Skype to Skype it is free to
anywhere in the world and the quality is excellent if you have broadband, even if the
connection is slow. You can also phone in the usual way to landlines using SkypeOut. In
England, local and national calls to 01 and 02 are 1.2p per minute at all times, and
international calls start at 1.2p. Most developed countries are at this rate, even to
mobiles in many. All you need is a headset and microphone costing perhaps £3, and a
credit or debit card to buy credit for SkypeOut. If you have a network with Internet access,
each computer can have its own connection - effectively its own separate phone line. If
you want to use a Skype telephone, they can be bought for £10, but spend a bit more to
get one that does not use your sound card, or you get Windows sounds interrupting your
chat. I use a Philips VOIP321 ethernet/USB base station that gives both Skype and
normal PSTN phone connections with several cordless telephones. It costs about £70
with two handsets. You can also use a video camera so you can be seen whilst you
phone, but make sure it has the Skype logo on the package.
Download from: http://www.skype.com
Zip
Many software packages are zipped to reduce file size. You can download winzip but
unless you want to pay you have to use the evaluation version and get nagged each time.
You can download an excellent unzip package called PK Reader 7 from Tucows at:
http://www.tucows.com/
Downloads
In fact Tucows is probably the best site for free software and shareware. So have a
browse at: http://www.tucows.com/
Nero
This is the CD and DVD burning software that I have had least trouble with. If you shop
around you can buy a legal copy of version 6 for about £5.
A good supplier is eBuyer at: http://www.ebuyer.com/
Students and teachers
If you, or one of your family, is a student or teacher you can get a lot of software at about
25% of the normal price, called an Educational Licence. With some software there is a
condition that you can only use it non-commercially. eBay has several legitimate
educational licence sellers. You have to get a form signed by your school, college or
university if you are a student, or a letter from your boss if you are a teacher. Adobe has
a system where a teacher can send a copy of his or her ID card and payslip instead (with
the money amounts rubbed out!).
Examples:
Adobe Dreamweaver - Information about products at: http://www.adobe.com/
Windows operating systems - Information about products at: http://www.microsoft.com/
Please let me know
If you learn of other possible entries here please email me at my email address
|
