Using Free Programs for Work and Play

There are many applications that an end-consumer in the Personal Computer market will run into that can be performed with free programs. If you use your computer on a regular basis and use it for more than simply a word processor or to browse the internet, you’ve probably come across a situation that requires you to obtain a program that is not yet on your computer. This can prove to be some difficulty for the average PC user. One of the main issues with a situation like this is the fact the most end-users don’t know what program they need. That aside, lets take a look at the availability of programs that will perform the same functions as those purchased off-the-shelf but will not incur any cost to you.

Availability of Free Programs

The main functions that are performed on an every-day computer, tend to range from simple word processing, emailing, image management, and internet to more complex applications. More complex applications would include such things as graphics development, website design, multi-media processing, to other, even more specialized and complicated interests. If you as a end-user tend to produce a large quantity of specialized or industrial quality items, you may wish to consider more industry-standard programs, available for your field. If your needs are less complicated, there are many options available a the click of a button.

Flavors and Complexities of Free Programs

Free programs are available in a number of flavors and complexities. For instance, if you are interested in basic photo editing, an application such as Picasa should more than suit your needs. If however, you are more interested in something like graphics development or extensive photo editing, you should consider something like the Gimp (GNU Image Manipulation Program). The Gimp can help you work with layers, temperature, and other advanced option for photographers. The Gimp can also address such interests as the development of comprehensive Computer Generated Images.

Video

Say you’ve had your “computer-friend, guy” build you a new, custom computer. Your computer works great, you enjoy it’s performance… everything seems to be going fine. Next day you get home from work and decide to pop in a DVD and watch a movie. You’re trying to use Windows Media Player, Power DVD, or some such to play your movie, but you run into issues with an error message. The error message says something like “Windows Media Player cannot play this movie because you do not have decoder software installed on your computer” or some such. If you encounter this error, the most likely problem in such a situation, is that your computer does not have a video “codec” installed. A codec (in this particular case) is a program that allows your computer to decode the DVD movie you are trying to play. One free program that provides a path around having to purchase a codec for your movie player software is VLC Media Player . VLC Media Player has the necessary video codecs built into the software, this allows you to play a DVD or other video clip without acquiring a codec separately. Downloading and installing is a simple matter, you should be able to simply launch the program and begin watching your DVD or other movie.

Website Design

Website design, lets say you have an interest in website design , you’ve grabbed yourself a book at a local retail store and you’re ready to get started coding. The first problem you’re likely to encounter after you’ve done a little work with your book, is the need for a site-development tool. Like most professionals that develop websites, you will soon fine that coding each detail by hand becomes an extremely tedious undertaking. If your site development skills are on the look-out for a nice, versatile, program that will keep things simple and provide pain-free configuration, an application like *NVu should be sufficient.

* There is a newer, more updated version of what was Nvu that is referred to as “Komposer“, you may wish to download and try that version of the software instead.

Lots More…

The list could go on and on as far as free programs available to the end-user. I’ll quit by making mention to a few of the software developers out there that provide Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware applications to consumers at no charge. One of the better, free anti-virus applications that I have discovered out there, is AVG Anti Virus. AVG Anti-Virus is a program provided by Grisoft, that provides anti-virus protection at no charge to end-users. It’s a given that the free version of the software does have limitaions, but for free, its quite hard to beat. The program provides constant updates, does not require lots of system resources, is effective, and is easy to use. As far as anti-spyware applications, there are a number I have found to work exceptionally well. Ad-Aware by Lavasoft Inc. is a very proficient program when it comes to removing ads from your computer. Lavasoft, as of lately, has done a lot to improve the quality of it’s user-interface, providing more comprehensive otpions when it comes to locating and defining malicious programs on your computer. On the list as well, are programs such as “Spybot Search and Destroy“, “HijackThis“, and “Spyware Blaster“. All these programs are small, proficient, and provide a simple interface. When using a program such as HijackThis, it is necessary to excercise caution, as this program is a bit advanced and could cause potentially unwanted results.

Thanks Again,

Your TrueStar Technology Expert