Open Source Software is for Everyone
Do you need Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Adobe Photo Shop or any other expensive software package that you or your company can't really afford to buy? Have you considered piracy because there seems to be no other choice? Do you hate giving your money to Microsoft but think there is no alternative?
Then this lens is for you.
Open Source software has a reputation for being difficult for the "regular" user, but that's really changed in the last while. If you have enough computer savy to create a lens on Squidoo, or install your own traditional software, then there are open source alternatives that will work for you.
What is Open Source Software?
because not everyone is a computer geek
"Open-Source" refers to a movement in the software industry where the source-code (the building blocks of the software) is available to the public.If you aren't a programmer, this might not seem like a big deal, since the the source-code looks like goobly-gook and even if you do figure out how to change it you will likely just break the program. But for people who know how to program it means they can read and edit the "instructions" the software gives the computer so they can improve it or change it to meet their specific needs. It also means that the software gets better faster because there are many eyes and many people with different perspectives working on it to make it better. In a sense it's a bit like having someone proof read your work-- with another set of eyes and another perspective, problems you didn't notice or weren't able to fix can often be found and solved easily.
Oh, and the really big bonus for non-programing people is that often (but not always), open source software is completely free.
Side note: You may hear open source software referred to as "Free as in Speech" and "Free as in Beer"-- All open source software is free as in speech-- that is, the code is available for anyone to see and use. Open Source software is often, but not always, "Free as in Beer" meaning that you don't have to pay for it.
If you want to get technical about it
For the more high-brow among you this same distinction is also known as "Gratis versus Libre."
'''Gratis versus libre' is the distinction between "for zero price" (gratis) and "freedom" (libre). Category: wiktionary - :gratis|Gratis appears in many English dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary. However, Category: wiktionary - :libre|libre does so less commonly, and no English adjective signifies "liberty" exclusively and as distinct from "at no monetary cost". This distinction is often important in dealing with laws concerning the use of information, such as copyright and patents. The terms are often used in the free software and open source communities, as well as the broader free culture movement, to categorize computer programs according to the licenses and legal restrictions that cover them. Both this expression and the term gratis are used to distinguish freeware (gratis software) from freedom (libre'') software.
Richard Stallman summarised the difference in a slogan: "Think free as in free speech, not free beer."
I get the "free as in beer" part, but how does software promote Freedom??
here's where the real "movement' comes in
While "Hey free software!" is a great opening line for people new to the whole open source scene, most true believers will tell you that the most important part is the other half. The explanation of the GNU General Public License is a good entry point into what this whole freedom thing is about.
The GNU General Public License (GNU GPL or simply GPL) is a widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU project. The GPL is the most popular and well-known example of the type of strong copyleft license that requires derived works to be available under the same copyleft. Under this philosophy, the GPL grants the recipients of a computer program the rights of the free software definition and uses copyleft to ensure the freedoms are preserved, even when the work is changed or added to. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which...
You don't have to take my word for it
- Open-source software rated: Ten alternatives you need - Crave at CNET.co.uk
- why should you care about open source? You should care because the vast majority of common applications, even complex commercial stuff such as Adobe Photoshop, Windows Media Player and Microsoft Office, have free, open-source alternatives. And this point is worth reiterating: open-source software is free. No cost. Zero. Zilch.
- Linux Desktop: Is it an Option for Normal Users?
- Linux has long held the promise of offering normal users an alternative to Windows. Now, with the arrival of Vista, you may have just the incentive you needed to switch.
OK I'm Convinced! How do I switch?
or enough with the talking, where's the software?
You are ready to switch? Good for you! One last piece of advice before we get to the nitty-gritty. Remember, you don't have to switch everything all at once. Not up for learning a new operating system? Don't worry! You can switch from Microsoft Office to Open Office and keep using Windows. You'll save the licensing fees from Office, and start to get your feet wet. Once you get used to that change, you can move on. Who knows, someday you too might be working to convert others to the Open Source cause! Think you need Microsoft Office?
Try Open Office
Open Office replaces Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Page Maker (or other desktop publishing applications), PowerPoint and Microsoft Access. If you need a replacement for Outlook I'll be discussing mail and calendaring alternatives later in the lens.When you go to the site, don't be intimidated! Remember you are not in the "target demographic" for this site, so some of what's discussed on the site won't make sense to you. That's ok. Most of the discussion is about the development of the software, and you aren't interested in that-- you just want to use the software. So go here to start the download, and save the rest of the site for when you are feeling more adventurous.
The rest of this lens assumes you are a windows user--which I know is not a universal truth. In many cases, the instructions may still work on a Mac, but I don't have enough experience on that platform to be of any real help.
Instructions for Downloading and Installing Open Office
- Click the link that says "Windows"
- Scroll to the green box at the bottom of the page that reads "continue to download" click the link.
- Click "Save File" in the pop-up box and wait for the program to download.
- Once the program has downloaded you will be asked if you want to open the new file. Click Yes or Open
- If a box pops up warning you the file you are about to open is an "executable file" click ok.
- Follow the instructions given by the installer and you should be good to go
Congratulations you are now an Open Office user!
Open Office Tutorials on YouTube
for when you really need to see what you are supposed to do
Need more Help?
try these books from Amazon
Just Say No to Microsoft: How to Ditch Microsoft and Why It's Not as Hard as You Think
Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 07/12/2009) 
OpenOffice.org Writer 2.0 Quick Reference Card - Handy Durable Tri-Fold Open Office Writer 2.0 Tip & Tricks Guide. 6 Total Pages. Stores Easily. Ultimate Reference for Shortcuts, Tips & Cheats for OpenOffice Writer 2.0 Word Processor. (Software Quick Reference Cards)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Getting Started with OpenOffice.org 2.0
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
OpenOffice.org for Dummies
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/12/2009)
The OpenOffice.org 2 Guidebook
Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
I'm loving Open Office! Are there other Open Source programs I should try
Why yes, yes there are
Once you get the hang of Open Office you will want to try some other Open Source alternatives. I've listed my favorites below, but for a more compressive list visit Open Source Windows More Open Source Alternatives
- Firefox - Rediscover the Web
- If you are using Internet Explorer to surf the web, it's time to try Firefox. I know IE didn't cost you anything, but Firefox is much less susceptible to spyware and viruses, so you might save your self some money in the long run. Plus, there's Adblock.
- Firefox Adblock plug-in
- Basically, it's a plug-in that let's you choose when to see ads on most web pages. Some ads get though, but never the splashy in your face run away kind.
- Lightning and Sunbird
- If you use Outlook, keep your eye on Lightning. It's still new and a bit buggy but it's definitely making headway. Need a calendar without an e-mail client? Try Sunbird.
- Thunderbird - Reclaim your inbox
- Need and e-mail client without a calendar (like outlook express?) Thunderbird is for you.
- GIMP
- Gimp is a Photoshop replacement. The download process is a bit more complicated than for some of the other packages but this link takes you directly to the windows installer. Just follow the directions.
- SourceForge.net: Welcome to SourceForge.net
- Feeling Adventurous? Try SourceForge. It's the breeding ground for almost all open source projects. If you are looking for open source software that does just about anything, this is the place to start.
- OpenDisc
- A collection of high quality open source software for Windows
More Support for your New Software
Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional (Beginning from Novice to Professional)
Amazon Price: $29.09 (as of 07/12/2009)
GIMP Pocket Reference (O'Reilly Pocket Reference Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Firefox For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 07/12/2009)
Understanding Open Source and Free Software Licensing
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 07/12/2009)
Mozilla Firefox i Thunderbird (Samouchitel')
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
More Open Source Offerings on Squidoo
because once you start you won't want to stop!
There are several lens masters with great lenses about new open source offerings. Here are a couple of my favorites!-
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Getting Started With Ubuntu
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Your Turn
So what do you think? Send me your feedback, or leave links to your own open source favorites!
JSmith_RDDX wrote...
Liking the list for the free software alternatives.
Nice one!
Posted March 16, 2009
msmallwood wrote...
Great lens. Another alternative site to try out OSS apps is www.click2try.com.
Posted March 08, 2009
gcarone wrote...
5*! I use for my job PCs with Windows xp and Vista, and Mac with OSxTiger. Different systems, different licences? no! OpenOffice on PCs and NeoOffice on Mac!!! My challange? Make the same for Building Industry, for have one good certification without spend a lot of money (http://www.squidoo.com/bandg_studio "The Challange")
Posted December 16, 2008
Justus Lavi wrote
Please keep me updated as regularly as possible
Posted April 16, 2008
catherinedevlin
This might be a good place to mention The Open Disc: at http://theopendisc.com/ , you can burn a single CD with Open Office and a bunch more "Greatest Hits" open source programs for Windows.
Posted December 18, 2007
