Free Software Eases Budget Blues
© 2003 Reprint by permission only. All rights reserved.
by Matt Hyatt

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Free software abounds on the Internet, making it possible to build a great software library without spending a dime. Commonly known as freeware, many of today’s best free applications rival their commercial counterparts for quality and features. With some research and a little trial and error, building a freeware library can be a viable option for home and business users alike.

No computer would be complete without a good office suite. There are more than a few free office suites available, but one of the best is called OpenOffice (www.openoffice.org). Originally developed by Sun and later released to the public for further improvement, OpenOffice is a great example of an application developed largely by volunteers. The suite includes all the software you’d expect from a commercial office suite, including a word processor and programs for creating and using spreadsheets, databases, graphics, and presentations. Files created in OpenOffice are even compatible with Microsoft Office, so sharing files with other people is no problem.

Did you know Microsoft gives away software, too? Internet Explorer and Outlook Express can both be downloaded for free, and they are terrific tools for browsing the web and managing e-mail. Microsoft is the business that people love to hate, but it’s hard to deny the company’s commitment to these applications. Program improvements and security updates are released regularly and can easily be installed using the Windows Update feature included in Internet Explorer. The popularity of this freeware pair also attracts droves of third-party software developers, so new browser and e-mail add-ons are often produced for Microsoft products before others. Download Internet Explorer and Outlook Express together at www.microsoft.com/ie.

Don’t want to use Microsoft products even if they are free? Mozilla (www.mozilla.org) may be the best browser for you. With particular attention paid to performance and compatibility with Internet standards, Mozilla’s developers have produced a great alternative web browser and e-mail program. One welcome Mozilla feature is a built-in option to disable pop-ups – those annoying little advertisements that spring up on your screen when you visit certain websites. Mozilla even includes tools for filtering junk e-mail and stopping viruses, helping to save time and avoid aggravation familiar to most e-mail users.

It’s unfortunate that computer viruses are a constant threat, and the rising price of most antivirus programs doesn’t make things any better. While many antivirus programs retail for $60 - $80, Grisoft (www.grisoft.com) produces an antivirus program that works great and is free for home users. The program allows users to schedule automatic virus scans, check e-mails for viruses, and download free updates.

Need something else to complete your freeware library? Use Google (www.google.com) or any other search engine to find what you’re looking for. Including the term “freeware” or “open source” in your search will probably yield dozens of results.
Beware – sometimes a “free” application can be a bit of a Trojan horse. Often called adware or spyware, these applications can display advertisements, modify your system settings, or even collect information from your computer. Read the license agreement or terms of use carefully before installing software you’re unsure about. Also, check out Lavasoft’s (www.lavasoft.com) free Ad-Aware, which automatically finds and removes unwanted adware and spyware from your computer.

There are thousands of freeware applications available on the Internet. Some of them are as good as commercial applications costing hundreds of dollars or more. So download them, install them, use them – and keep your money!

Matt Hyatt is founder of Rocket IT, an IT consulting firm near Atlanta, Georgia. For technology help with your business, contact Rocket IT at 770-441-2520 or visit online at www.rocketit.com.

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