Try Free Open Source Software (without Linux)

Introduction

The major applications included in a Linux distribution are also available for operating systems other than Linux as they too are FOSS (Free or Open Source Software). This gives you the opportunity to run these programs under Windows (or Mac OS if you wish) and try them before installing Linux to see how you like them. (Of course you may decide to stick with Windows but run the FOSS as it is simply better - that is what freedom is all about!) There is a project named TheOpenCD which has collected together some of the best Free and Open Source Software on one CD. Each of these pieces of software are free but there are compelling reasons for using them other than price. Below is an overview of the four most common pieces software. To further promote Free and Open Source Software August 28th 2004 has been designated Software Freedom Day.

Web browser - Mozilla 

Mozilla serves the same function as Internet Explorer. Arguably Mozilla has several advantages over Internet Explorer; it is faster, it doesn't get attacked for security flaws, it has a built in pop-up blocker and it has tabbed browsing. It is more secure simply because it does not get picked on in the same way as Internet Explorer does. Tabbed browsing allows you to keep multiple web pages open in one program without having to switch windows - this may not sound much but once you have tried tabbed browsing you never go back - it is so convenient! Read more about Mozilla at eWeek. Also consider Mozilla Firefox which can be found here.

Email - Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird is a replacement for Outlook or Outlook Express which is included with Mozilla. Two of Thunderbirds advantages are its excellent spam blocking tool which is built in and its security. It is secure for the same reasons as other open source software, it doesn't get picked on and any flaws are fixed very quickly indeed. Read a review of Thunderbird at OSDir. Thunderbird can be downloaded here if you wish.

Office Productivity - OpenOffice.org

OpenOffice is an office productivity suite that comprises substitutes for Word, Excel and Powerpoint. OpenOffice is compatible with Office files and is able to create PDF and Flash files which Office is not. OpenOffice is not cluttered with all the unnecessary super-advanced features Office is, but can complete all the everyday tasks one needs to do. Read reviews at Eweek and Newsday. OpenOffice can also be downloaded here. TheOpenCD also includes the Abiword word processor which you can read more about at TechTV. 

Graphics - Gimp

Gimp is an excellent alternative to Photoshop for graphics manipulation. Gimp can be used to work on photographs as well as many other types of image. Read a review at NewsForge. Gimp can be downloaded here.

Above are a selection the four main types of software. You can read much more about Linux~Windows/Mac OS equivalent software at Linux.org and here at tuxs. Although the purpose of this is to try Linux software before moving to Linux there are strong reasons for using these pieces of software anyway - not limited to price and security.