Free alternatives to software piracy - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 17th Mar 2006, 19:06

http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/03..._piracy/1.html

EvilRusk · 17th Mar 2006, 19:18

Some great stuff can be had for free!

I myself use Suse 10 and most of the alternatives mentioned. Open office is simply great and there are some huge lists of free software that are very good. I have almost entirely converted my whole PC to free software now. Granted GiMP is not quite as good as photoshop but it can do quite a lot and even supports many photoshop plugins as well.

More free software can be found on the extremely extensive list here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_software

BioSniper · 17th Mar 2006, 20:13

Open office is definatley a fantastic alternative to Office. The gf says the equasion editor is far better in Open Office too as its faster and doesnt require you to click every entry, instead you can just type it. It does amaze me though still how many people insist office is better

Fr4nk · 17th Mar 2006, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bit-tech

"Warning. Our scans have detected unlicensed software on your computer. An automated email has been sent to the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST), the FBI and Microsoft. You will be contacted within the next 48 hours to arrange a court date."

Just as I read that the phone rang

But on a serious note, the free you can get is amazing but I can pick out some features that I actaully need in PS CS2 uposed to Gimp.etc. Also I quite like Open office, it's got to be one of the best free apps around

ps: I'm loving "pete the pirate"
-Fr4nk

ajack · 17th Mar 2006, 20:37

Since moving to Linux on my desktop a few months ago, there are only a handful of things I actually miss - I found myself booting into Windows occasionally after first moving, but I haven't used it for weeks now. I miss Foobar2000, mainly because there just isn't a nix music player that is anywhere near as good as it. There are also some fairly specialist apps (Mobile Phone Tools, etc) which are only available for Windows which are a bit annoying, but there's not much I can do.

I use PSE just fine with WINE - it's a little slow but I don't use it that often (and I really haven't spent a lot of time with the GIMP (!) so I still find it fairly difficult to use). I have to use WINE for a 68000 assembly IDE too (which I need for a module at uni) but apart from those, there is either a Linux port of any app I might need, or there is a good alternative.

ch424 · 17th Mar 2006, 20:39

Remember you can also get Office student and teacher edition that entitles you to three installs, and comes with Word, Excel and Powerpoint for £90. I use Ubuntu on my laptop, with the XP licence from that on my desktop. My scanner came with PS Elements.

And Biosniper, I much prefer Office as it doesn't take 45 seconds to open, and it looks and feels nicer once it is open.

ch424

DriftCarl · 17th Mar 2006, 20:53

A very good article there. I might try that setup on a spare pc i have.
I know thunderbird is pritty good, I used it for a while but i didnt like the fact that no anti-virus software works directly with it, in the same way that AVG, or mcafee or norton work with outlook. So I am back on outlook 2003 and with a bit of maintenance, the junk mail filter isnt too bad.

I think the MAJOR problem left with people stuck using windows is games. Home users buy PC's for games now rather than letters and stuff. PC's really are much better gaming machines than Xboxes or playstations. And the reason why my main PC is XP is simply because the games I play wont work on linux or mac.

Another reason is probably because I work in IT and have to support desktop users and maintain servers that I prefer using windows right now.

I have been testing the new beta of vista over the last few days at work and I must say I was quite impressed with it. looking at vista, I cant see windows dieing any time soon, which tells me that it will continue to be pirated and therefor probably make huge sums of money for microsoft in corporate licence fees.

Tomm · 17th Mar 2006, 20:59

I don't really agree with the "Apple Alternative" bit. I run a mac and whilst Mail, address book and iCal are good enough, I don't think any of the other apps cut the mustard. iPhoto is simply a totally different app to Photoshop. It's more like a MS Paint + photo organiser. The Gimp on OS X is pretty rubbish too, although I never really got on well with it on Linux either. Too clumsy an interface and just not as powerful as CS2. Maybe it'll get better when they can release a version that doesn't use X11.

Office:Mac is much nicer than Open Office, which is sluggish, ugly and not as powerful on the Mac. I've never used the PC version of OOo, but the Mac version is pretty awful, certainly not in the same league as Office anyway. iWork is pretty crap too - Perhaps I'm just used to Office, but I hated iWork. It's too simple, but most of all it's not compatible with .doc or .ppt files. In this world, that's no use to anyone.

So my app bill probably runs to about £800 anyway, haha.

Kipman725 · 17th Mar 2006, 21:18

Open office is great, I could get office 2003 for very little but I chose to keep open offcie as it has all the features I need and is open source and free

I also use ubuntu for the home server and the GIMP for image manipulation so I guess I already followed your advice :P

customh · 17th Mar 2006, 21:32

ch424, i agree wholeheartedly on office, looks nicer and feels the same. I'm going to start using gimp though

Fod · 17th Mar 2006, 21:41

goddamn. GIMP is the worst piece of software, ever. don't even BEGIN to try and convince me otherwise. it's HORRIBLE.

Cthippo · 17th Mar 2006, 22:00

Does anyone know of a free version of Flash 8? I really want to learn flash, but I don't have $400 to drop for asomthing to do cool stuff on my website.

customh · 17th Mar 2006, 22:01

Well whats the deal, is gimp good or not?

Atomic · 17th Mar 2006, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriftCarl

Another reason is probably because I work in IT and have to support desktop users and maintain servers that I prefer using windows right now.

Complete opposite for me. I prefer OSX partly because it isnt windows!

Veles · 17th Mar 2006, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthippo

Does anyone know of a free version of Flash 8? I really want to learn flash, but I don't have $400 to drop for asomthing to do cool stuff on my website.

Apart from the trial version I don't think there is any free flash publishers. Although I do reccomend you learn to use Flash, it's so much fun and you can do some great stuff on it.

Almightyrastus · 17th Mar 2006, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriftCarl

And the reason why my main PC is XP is simply because the games I play wont work on linux or mac.

My reasoning exactly at the mo. The games that are availiable for linux (yes there are a fair few, try http://www.tuxgames.com/ for an idea of them) are not really the sort I am into that much.

When more of the things I am into get ported over to linux then I may give it a decent tryout, I have played around with it in the past and could get to like it.

BioSniper · 17th Mar 2006, 22:45

Strangley I've never found that Open Office takes more than a few seconds to open though loads of people complain it's slow. I also find the user interface of the newest version is pretty much exactly the same as Office but I guess each to his own.
Also what does the speed of the app opening actally matter in real terms, as in the end once its running, it runs at the same pace office does?

Either you can live with free software (and its quirks), or you can't I guess

::edit:: typos corrected.

Buzzons · 17th Mar 2006, 23:02

the point is that would need a learning curve, a new OS and apps you have never used before, that == effort, where as going to a search engine (ircspy // torrentspy // piratebay etc etc) and typing "office 2003" and downloading it == no effort. thus no effort > lots of effort

customh · 17th Mar 2006, 23:07

I HIGHLY recommend you cease and desist with all talk of warez, otherwise you WILL have a ban.
I do agree with you on the fact that something requires a learning curve and i know the ins and outs of xp though.

The_Pope · 17th Mar 2006, 23:11

Wow - this article has only been online a few hours and already there's lots of good discussion.

Please, please do share your own experiences (as some have been doing already). There was only a limited time available to research this article and I'm sure many of you have had long experiences - good and bad - with some of the software packages highlighted, or maybe you can suggest some others...

Keep it up!

17th Mar 2006, 19:06	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Free alternatives to software piracy http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/03..._piracy/1.html __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

17th Mar 2006, 20:13	#3
BioSniper I Mod, Therefore I Own Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere in the south Posts: 3,462	Open office is definatley a fantastic alternative to Office. The gf says the equasion editor is far better in Open Office too as its faster and doesnt require you to click every entry, instead you can just type it. It does amaze me though still how many people insist office is better __________________ My Flickr :: Bit-tech Flickr Wii: 1792 1527 2926 7945 :: Xbox Live: BioSnipr :: PSN: Biosnipr

17th Mar 2006, 20:37	#5
ajack rox Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: /home Posts: 2,696	Since moving to Linux on my desktop a few months ago, there are only a handful of things I actually miss - I found myself booting into Windows occasionally after first moving, but I haven't used it for weeks now. I miss Foobar2000, mainly because there just isn't a nix music player that is anywhere near as good as it. There are also some fairly specialist apps (Mobile Phone Tools, etc) which are only available for Windows which are a bit annoying, but there's not much I can do. I use PSE just fine with WINE - it's a little slow but I don't use it that often (and I really haven't spent a lot of time with the GIMP (!) so I still find it fairly difficult to use). I have to use WINE for a 68000 assembly IDE too (which I need for a module at uni) but apart from those, there is either a Linux port of any app I might need, or there is a good alternative. __________________ ajack.org DA \| Flickr select from pants;*

17th Mar 2006, 20:59	#8
Tomm I also ride trials :¬) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fallowfield, Manchester Posts: 2,233	I don't really agree with the "Apple Alternative" bit. I run a mac and whilst Mail, address book and iCal are good enough, I don't think any of the other apps cut the mustard. iPhoto is simply a totally different app to Photoshop. It's more like a MS Paint + photo organiser. The Gimp on OS X is pretty rubbish too, although I never really got on well with it on Linux either. Too clumsy an interface and just not as powerful as CS2. Maybe it'll get better when they can release a version that doesn't use X11. Office:Mac is much nicer than Open Office, which is sluggish, ugly and not as powerful on the Mac. I've never used the PC version of OOo, but the Mac version is pretty awful, certainly not in the same league as Office anyway. iWork is pretty crap too - Perhaps I'm just used to Office, but I hated iWork. It's too simple, but most of all it's not compatible with .doc or .ppt files. In this world, that's no use to anyone. So my app bill probably runs to about £800 anyway, haha. __________________ Carrot cake cheesecake Shuttle SN85G4V2 \| A64 3200+ / Apple PowerBook 12

17th Mar 2006, 21:18	#9
Kipman725 When did I get a custom title!?! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,753	Open office is great, I could get office 2003 for very little but I chose to keep open offcie as it has all the features I need and is open source and free I also use ubuntu for the home server and the GIMP for image manipulation so I guess I already followed your advice :P __________________ Sn45g game server mod My Electronics Site Hardware: 3400+ Sempr0n, 1GB RAM, 1.28TB local storage, x1950pro,Razer Viper,M$ comfort curve 2000,L70S + 17", Fujitsu 17" CRT Audio: HD-650's, PE congress amp, Sound Blaster AWE64, Soundblaster 24bit

17th Mar 2006, 19:18	#2
EvilRusk 69 Dude!! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arrg Yarrg Posts: 69	Some great stuff can be had for free! I myself use Suse 10 and most of the alternatives mentioned. Open office is simply great and there are some huge lists of free software that are very good. I have almost entirely converted my whole PC to free software now. Granted GiMP is not quite as good as photoshop but it can do quite a lot and even supports many photoshop plugins as well. More free software can be found on the extremely extensive list here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_software

17th Mar 2006, 20:39	#6
ch424 Design Warrior Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 2,513	Remember you can also get Office student and teacher edition that entitles you to three installs, and comes with Word, Excel and Powerpoint for £90. I use Ubuntu on my laptop, with the XP licence from that on my desktop. My scanner came with PS Elements. And Biosniper, I much prefer Office as it doesn't take 45 seconds to open, and it looks and feels nicer once it is open. ch424

17th Mar 2006, 20:53	#7
DriftCarl Multimodder Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 201	A very good article there. I might try that setup on a spare pc i have. I know thunderbird is pritty good, I used it for a while but i didnt like the fact that no anti-virus software works directly with it, in the same way that AVG, or mcafee or norton work with outlook. So I am back on outlook 2003 and with a bit of maintenance, the junk mail filter isnt too bad. I think the MAJOR problem left with people stuck using windows is games. Home users buy PC's for games now rather than letters and stuff. PC's really are much better gaming machines than Xboxes or playstations. And the reason why my main PC is XP is simply because the games I play wont work on linux or mac. Another reason is probably because I work in IT and have to support desktop users and maintain servers that I prefer using windows right now. I have been testing the new beta of vista over the last few days at work and I must say I was quite impressed with it. looking at vista, I cant see windows dieing any time soon, which tells me that it will continue to be pirated and therefor probably make huge sums of money for microsoft in corporate licence fees.

17th Mar 2006, 21:32	#10
customh conflagration. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,590	ch424, i agree wholeheartedly on office, looks nicer and feels the same. I'm going to start using gimp though

17th Mar 2006, 21:41	#11
Fod what is the cheesecake? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London Posts: 4,908	goddamn. GIMP is the worst piece of software, ever. don't even BEGIN to try and convince me otherwise. it's HORRIBLE.

17th Mar 2006, 22:00	#12
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,475	Does anyone know of a free version of Flash 8? I really want to learn flash, but I don't have $400 to drop for asomthing to do cool stuff on my website. __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

17th Mar 2006, 22:01	#13
customh conflagration. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,590	Well whats the deal, is gimp good or not?

17th Mar 2006, 22:45	#17
BioSniper I Mod, Therefore I Own Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere in the south Posts: 3,462	Strangley I've never found that Open Office takes more than a few seconds to open though loads of people complain it's slow. I also find the user interface of the newest version is pretty much exactly the same as Office but I guess each to his own. Also what does the speed of the app opening actally matter in real terms, as in the end once its running, it runs at the same pace office does? Either you can live with free software (and its quirks), or you can't I guess ::edit:: typos corrected. __________________ My Flickr :: Bit-tech Flickr Wii: 1792 1527 2926 7945 :: Xbox Live: BioSnipr :: PSN: Biosnipr Last edited by BioSniper; 17th Mar 2006 at 23:05.

17th Mar 2006, 23:02	#18
Buzzons Mod Master Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,086	the point is that would need a learning curve, a new OS and apps you have never used before, that == effort, where as going to a search engine (ircspy // torrentspy // piratebay etc etc) and typing "office 2003" and downloading it == no effort. thus no effort > lots of effort

17th Mar 2006, 23:07	#19
customh conflagration. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,590	I HIGHLY recommend you cease and desist with all talk of warez, otherwise you WILL have a ban. I do agree with you on the fact that something requires a learning curve and i know the ins and outs of xp though.

17th Mar 2006, 23:11	#20
The_Pope Geoff Richards Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2,089	Wow - this article has only been online a few hours and already there's lots of good discussion. Please, please do share your own experiences (as some have been doing already). There was only a limited time available to research this article and I'm sure many of you have had long experiences - good and bad - with some of the software packages highlighted, or maybe you can suggest some others... Keep it up!