free software

**rasilla** · 01-03-2009, 10:18 AM

Here is a link to list of tons of free computer software. Do you have a problem with ads? viruses? Want to download a CD? Boot your computer up from a CD? Use your internet as your long-distance phone? Create a PDF? Make your own firewall? There are tons of free open-source programs!

We have personally used the following:
AVG Free (Antivirus)
Sandboxie - Terrific! Runs your internet on a virtual machine.
Open Office - the free equivalent to Microsoft Office
Fox-it Reader - Adobe equivalent
Tux Paint & Baby Smash - programs for our pre-schoolers to learn computer skills.

Hope some of these can help some of you!

http://www.econsultant.com/i-want-fr...ies/index.html
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilit...andimage.shtml
http://www.nirsoft.net/

*** if you want to be ultra-frugal, you can get a old computer from freecycle, install free software and surf the net/type documents, etc. without purchasing anything other than net access.

**PrairieRose** · 01-03-2009, 11:09 AM

We use AVG, Zone Alarm, Panicware which are all free and really helpful. I've just downloaded Open Office and have started using it. It's great! The others you listed look very useful and I agree there's really no need to buy software unless you just want to. (with Quickbooks being the exception for me due to business purposes)

**Pianolady** · 01-03-2009, 09:44 PM

I'd also add:

Paint.net
Audacity
Picasa

**baronmom** · 01-03-2009, 10:02 PM

All you need to do is go to www.cnet.com and or www.zdnet.com and they have all kinds of free programs you can download.

**rasilla** · 01-04-2009, 11:26 AM

Pianolady - I'd forgotten, but we have used Picassa & a friend loves paint for her kids - they are a bit older than mine.

Baronmom - I will def. check out those two sites. Thanks.