I would like to open this thread, in order to suggest some free programs that can replace their similar not free ones. Since many times computers are getting infected with malware, when trying to download these not free programs, I think that this might help a lot. At least, I have been helped. If you have other suggestions, please, let us know!
Microsoft Office --> Libre Office
Adobe Acrobat Pro --> Sumatra PDF + PDF24
Photo Shop --> Paint Net, GIMP
Illustrator --> Inkscape
Wavelab --> Audacity
For downloading Youtube and other videos --> Download Flash and Video (Add-on in browsers)
For downloading music (mp3) from youtube videos --> Youtube mp3 Downloader using youtupe-mp3.org (Add-on in browsers)
For video editing works --> Blender
I have tried all the above, except Blender, and I am very satisfied with them.
What do you thing?
Apache OpenOffice http://www.openoffice.org/ is another Office "clone", very similar to Libre Office. It seems to be a user-choice "toss-up" between them... they both originated from the same code, but have since separated.
Quote from: DR M on May 23, 2015, 09:30:19 AM
Since many times computers are getting infected with malware, when trying to download these not free programs
It would be extremely unlikely to get infected by downloading paid programs from the vendor site. As you know from another thread, it is not at all uncommon (or unusual) to run into problems downloading cracked software. :D
Quote from: winchester73 on May 23, 2015, 12:12:40 PM
It would be extremely unlikely to get infected by downloading paid programs from the vendor site. As you know from another thread, it is not at all uncommon (or unusual) to run into problems downloading cracked software. :D
Of course. But Vendor sites does not offer their programs for free. One looking for program for free will go for a pirated program, if he/her does not know the dangers and the alternatives. That is a main reason for an infected computer.
I think it better to ask for alternatives to specific programs you are looking for, rather than trying to start a list every free program. Otherwise, you just end up with a haphazard list. There are several download sites that already screen the programs they post for malicious code.
Sumatra PDF is a reader, not PDF creator.
Quote from: Digerati on May 23, 2015, 01:31:05 PM
I think it better to ask for alternatives to specific programs you are looking for, rather than trying to start a list every free program. Otherwise, you just end up with a haphazard list. There are several download sites that already screen the programs they post for malicious code.
Sumatra PDF is a reader, not PDF creator.
I am using all the programs above (except one), they are not just a haphazard list I found in the internet. I tried a lot of free programs, before I decided which of them are the best for me. If you think that the thread makes damage than good, then delete it. I just wanted to be helpful.
As for Sumatra, yes, it is a reader. That is why I wrote above: Adobe Acrobat Pro --> Sumatra PDF + PDF24
I'm with Bill on this kind of list.
The programmes may be OK but it depends where they are downloaded from that matters.
Plus I do not agree that users will turn to pirated software, its only a certain type of person will knowingly do that. Just my opinion of course.
Quotethey are not just a haphazard list I found in the internet.
I am not saying yours is haphazard, I am saying by asking for everyone to post their choices, these type threads typically end up being a haphazard collection.
Sorry about the Sumatra + PDF24. I missed your meaning.
I believe I can help clarify the situation.
Panos does his best to help his friends (mostly other university students on a tight budget) and is often contacted when they are having a problem with their computer -- usually malware -- so he gets logs from them and posts here for help. He has been "burned" more than once discovering that the person we were helping was using pirated software. So, what he is after is a list of safe alternatives to popular utilities that he can provide them so they will use those instead of downloading counterfeit software.
Quote from: Corrine on May 23, 2015, 05:38:04 PM
I believe I can help clarify the situation.
Panos does his best to help his friends (mostly other university students on a tight budget) and is often contacted when they are having a problem with their computer -- usually malware -- so he gets logs from them and posts here for help. He has been "burned" more than once discovering that the person we were helping was using pirated software. So, what he is after is a list of safe alternatives to popular utilities that he can provide them so they will use those instead of downloading counterfeit software.
Yes, this exactly was my purpose. And unfortunately these are my English, and I apologize if somebody misunderstood what I said. Nevertheless, I understand what Digerati said about a thread like this. You can lock it if you think it might be the reason for something not useful.
I fully understood what Panos was saying Corrine. But offering Paint or gimp as an alternative to Photshop is just silly. The same for Acrobat pro to Sumatra. Its like comparing wheel barrow to a car. They both transport but in a entirely different style.
Quote from: MikeW on May 23, 2015, 06:56:41 PM
I fully understood what Panos was saying Corrine. But offering Paint or gimp as an alternative to Photshop is just silly. The same for Acrobat pro to Sumatra. Its like comparing wheel barrow to a car. They both transport but in a entirely different style.
Well, I know that sometimes I have a silly behavior, but I don't think that I'm doing so now. :mitch:
Mike, I didn't even mention Paint! I said
Paint Net. And, yes, I use it instead of Photoshop. I am not a designer (perhaps you are, and I understand that anything else from the perfect result is not an option), and I find it good enough to do whatever I want, instead of buying Photoshop, paying 15 dollars per month.
http://scottiestech.info/2012/12/17/paint-net-the-photoshop-alternative-for-the-rest-of-us/ (http://scottiestech.info/2012/12/17/paint-net-the-photoshop-alternative-for-the-rest-of-us/)
http://windows.appstorm.net/reviews/graphics-reviews/paint-net-a-free-and-customisable-alternative-to-photoshop/ (http://windows.appstorm.net/reviews/graphics-reviews/paint-net-a-free-and-customisable-alternative-to-photoshop/)
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/paintnet-image-editor-download/ (http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/paintnet-image-editor-download/)
http://lifehacker.com/most-popular-photoshop-alternative-gimp-1484836993 (http://lifehacker.com/most-popular-photoshop-alternative-gimp-1484836993)
As for Sumatra, I said it in another post above: I use it as a reader, because it is only a reader. When I want to create and combine pdf files, I use
PDF24. That's why I wrote: Sumatra
+ PDF24. When I want to edit a pdf file, I do it online. And again, I am very happy I am doing my job without paying 15 dollars per month.
Anyway, for me, and for many others, it is better to save 15 and 30 dollars per month for other purposes, rather than buying Adobe products. There is a phrase we use in my country and it would fit perfectly if I would decide to do so:
We don't have bread and we are looking for a radish. I understand the difference between a wheel barrow and a car, but I think that the example does not fit here. Although this is my opinion.
Panos, Just lets agree to disagree
Quote from: MikeW on May 23, 2015, 07:50:42 PM
Panos, Just lets agree to disagree
No problem. :mitch:
A question:
I am Microsoft Office user, but I also use Libre Office. Anyone who didn't use a lot the latter, could say the example about the car and the wheel barrow. I could even say it, when I am trying to find a feature quickly and I can't. So, why do you suggest it to others? The purpose is not completely having the features of a paid program, but an alternative solution from an open source program. Right? (I'm sure you are aware of the links I post earlier. And of course, I didn't talk about Paint.)
Panos, it might be better to say, I am looking for a free alternative to name of software.
I have no need of Office so I just use wordpad or notepad when I need to write something. I don't even install Open Office or Libre Office because it is more than I need.
The people you help, likewise, may be running a program that some of us don't use so would have no idea what to suggest as an alternative. But those who read your thread and see, "help what can I use in place of name of software", will then respond.
There shouldn't be any agreeing or disagreeing.
Instead of criticizing other's suggestions, just say what alternative solution you use, and if you want to elaborate, say why.
But do not say, "because ZYX Free is better than ABC Free", or "XYZ Free does this better than CBA Free". Those are NOT good reasons why for the purpose here.
I like Foxit reader as a free alternative to Adobe Reader. Foxit reader is secure, small, fast and allows you to create and edit PDFs too.
OK, The theory behind Panos's post was that by offering a free programme list it would minimise pirating.
My point is if someone wants Photoshop because of its power and reputaing, they will not be swayed to use a less powerful freebe.
Plus of course it is so easy to obtain pirated software.
However, if we were just creating a list of useful free software, that is another story altogether.
Foxit is also my chosen PDF tool. I like it enough to pay for it if it came of the free list.
Thats all I have to say on this.
Open source software is many times a very good alternative. The ones mentioned are popular. Just because it's free open source software doesn't mean it is inferior.
There are millions of people working and sharing the ideas, for various software.
Here is a good link of working listed projects.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_and_open-source_software_packages
Quote from: techie on June 01, 2015, 08:08:25 PM
Open source software is many times a very good alternative. The ones mentioned are popular. Just because it's free open source software doesn't mean it is inferior.
There are millions of people working and sharing the ideas, for various software.
Here is a good link of working listed projects.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_and_open-source_software_packages
I find it's generally the UX & UI that suffers in Open Source software, design is just one of the things that falls to the side in OS project's.
However, look at something like Blender, it can do a vast majority of what 3DS Max (around $4000) can do.
Quote from: SpyDie on June 01, 2015, 10:06:35 PM
I find it's generally the UX & UI that suffers in Open Source software, design is just one of the things that falls to the side in OS project's.
However, look at something like Blender, it can do a vast majority of what 3DS Max (around $4000) can do.
UX and UI are improving, but sometimes are lacking. These apps are usually available for many cross platform operating systems and languages.
VLC media player is a good general media player. It plays well with older video cards.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Gimp as mentioned above is a good photo editing tool.
http://www.gimp.org/
QuoteUX and UI are improving
The problem with both UX and especially the UI is they are extremely subjective.
Coding how the "Delete" button works once clicked is pretty straight forward and easy to get a consensus for it. But defining the shape, font, button color, text color, background color, and location for that button and you may get 10 different solutions, each with adamant supporters. And when the coders finally do settle on the what the button will look like, there's a good chance the end-user will hate it. Well, Sally will hate it, Fred will think it okay, and Jane will love it - and Mikey will complain there are not enough skins.
You mean something as simple as removing a start button, changing the UI or locking a search into the taskbar with no way to turn it off. I don't know that I have ever meet a Operating System out the box, that I didn't customize to my liking. When you remove the options of simple user customization, you remove the desire of people wanting it.
It's kind of like a car, some people are fine with the way it is, other people prefer to add there own customization to it.