Free alternative software

DR M · May 23, 2015, 09:30:19 AM

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?

ky331 · May 23, 2015, 10:47:27 AM

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.

winchester73 · May 23, 2015, 12:12:40 PM

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

DR M · May 23, 2015, 12:54:52 PM

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.

Digerati · 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.

DR M · May 23, 2015, 01:39:44 PM

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

MikeW · May 23, 2015, 02:47:41 PM

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.

Digerati · May 23, 2015, 03:22:23 PM

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.

Corrine · 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.

DR M · May 23, 2015, 06:07:23 PM

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.

MikeW · 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.

DR M · May 23, 2015, 07:36:29 PM

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://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://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.

MikeW · May 23, 2015, 07:50:42 PM

Panos, Just lets agree to disagree

DR M · May 23, 2015, 07:58:59 PM

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.)

plodr · May 24, 2015, 02:21:27 AM

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.