Image by Massa Coletiva via Flickr
Some of the most popular computer software can be pricey, but it’s still possible to get free software that can accomplish just as much without the high price tag. For those who are bargain hunting or just need to accomplish a certain task without spending a fortune, there are some great programs just waiting to be downloaded.
For document creation and processing, the free software of choice is Open Office. Open Office features an assortment of products that look, feel and function similarly to Microsoft Office. The best feature of Open Office is that is works interchangeably with Microsoft products, meaning you can open and work on MS Office documents, and Microsoft users can open yours.
For the new graphic artist, GIMP (or Gnu Image Manipulation Program) is an extremely powerful free image editor. Of all the free graphics software packages, GIMP probably has the most advanced features of Photoshop. Although the software is user-friendly, it is designed for users who are comfortable using these advanced features. For simple editing, adjusting and effects, try the also free Lunapic or Pixlr. Both operate online only with no download required.
It’s absolutely critical to have virus protection on your computer. A great free anti-virus program is Avast, which has been the leader in no-cost, real time anti-virus protection for years. AdAware and MalwareBytes are also both excellent and reliable anti-malware programs that can detect and destroy viruses, spyware and adware. Unlike Avast, these two only provide protection when you run the program and do not block malware automatically in real time. However, all three are legitimate programs that provide strong protection at no cost, especially when used together.
