Xoosh Solutions
Free and Open Source Software
Web Design
Software Comparisons
Many Windows or Mac users don’t realise that they don’t need to buy expensive software to have a good reliable fast and useful computer. Almost everything can be performed with Free or Open-Source software. Firstly, some definitions. The “Free” in Free Software really means free as in speech, not free as in beer although it is usually cost free. Open Source software is of a similar nature but there are philosophical differences between them that need not concern us here.
Office Package – LibreOffice v Microsoft Office
The most used software on a computer does not need to be purchased with restrictive licences.
Here is a screenshot of LibreOffice Calc, the spreadsheet program.
LibreOffice is free to download and is virtually 100% compatible with its proprietary counterparts.
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Graphics – GIMP v Photoshop
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a full featured graphics creation and editing package, almost as powerful as Photoshop but it’s freely downloadable.
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Desktop Publishing – Scribus v Microsoft Publisher
Scribus is a full professional DTP package suitable for everything from a simple newsletter to a multi page book.
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Audio Editing – Audacity
Audacity can record and edit multi track audio.
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These are all excellent video editors and are available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
