Open-Source: Be Free!

I have long been a proponent of the Open-Source/Freeware movement. Instead of AOL Instant Messenger (better known as AIM), which has become increasingly inundated with flashy advertisements and features that become more of a nuisance than a help, I have been a user of the newly-renamed Pidgin. This program works like AIM, but it is open-source, and therefore not affiliated with a major company (like AOL). This tends to yield programs that have all the features you need with nothing you don't (or at least the option to turn off certain features), and (joy!) no pesky advertisements!

What could be better than that, you ask? Well! These days, nearly any program you might buy in a store can likely be found as freeware. These programs aren't necessarily identical, but when you want to use a program like Photoshop, and can't exactly find the $650 to pay for it, the slightly less user-friendly Gimp starts looking a lot more appealing.

I recently been exposed to other wonders like OpenOffice, which has programs extremely similar to MS Word, MS Excel, MS Paint, and MS Access. Another blessing, as the Standard version of Microsoft Office can run you $240.

I've also learned about AVG, free anti-virus software that (I hope!) works as well as Norton. I installed it on my laptop about a week ago, so time will tell!

--Kate