I have rescently started replacing alot of my software with open source software. For the most part I find it suprior to the stuff I was running before

I am currently using
FireFox (web browser)
Thunderbird (mail Client)
Open Office (Like Microsoft office) I will admit in the past this package has been less then great but the new version they are about to (may have already) released is great
Anti-Vir (virus scanner) great virus scaner with all the bells
Ad-aware (Spy ware remover)

What are you guys running?
I would recommend any of these as a free alternative to going out and buying software or if you feel like no longer running no so legit copies of programs

Ad aware is a life saver, it can find so much crap on a computer it is scarey !

I also use Firefox, only downside I have seen is if you go to a side that has a lot of pop up site (car show coverage etc) it tends to lock up and won't let the pop ups happen and you have to shut it down and reopen Firefox.

Where did you get open office from? I wouldn't mind trying that out.

www.openoffice.org

for image manipulation, i love The Gimp. Great program.

snagit32 is great for screen shots

You can also purchade open office at staples for like $10 on a CD
but you got to ask

Ad aware isn't open source.

Why are you switching? Because everything is free or do you think it is accually better then software that you pay for?


If you need some more open source stuff. Then you can download gaim for all your messesging need and Gimp which is almost like Photoshop.

I use IE and Firefox for browswing
Thunderbird and Outlooks express for Email.
XP Office for word stuff
Avast for anti-virus
Microsoft's spyware program.

Seems like the only thing I have open source is Firefox and Thunderbird.

I only use Firefox for open source software, and Ad Aware if you would consider it open source.

However anti virus software I resort to Norton Anti virus, the cheap and/or free ones don't seem to pick up everything.

"Get what you pay for"

adaware isn't open source. it's freeware.

open source means that the source code has to be available to anyone who wants it.

Media Player Classic

great lil media player, includes all your dvd codecs, small program, free, no spyware/adware, open source. Can't go wrong.

Not open source, but DVDShrink is an unbelieveable piece of Freeware. Also Zone Alarm is another personal favourite.

Mark

[ January 18, 2005, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: NOBASS ]