In this day and age free beer is unheard of, but free software is a reality. There are loads of freeware available today, some of which are better than their shareware counterparts. In this first-of-a-three-part series on free software, here is a list of productivity tools that enable you to be more efficient at work and at the same time save money.
Productivity Suite: OpenOffice.org
Be it for the office or home, a productivity suite is the must software on a computer. From creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations to editing vector graphics and managing a database -- OpenOffice.org will come through for you on all fronts. OpenOffice.org a free and popular alternative to Microsoft Office. The latest version of OpenOffice.org also supports Microsoft Office 2007 file formats. The following are the components of OpenOffice.org:
Component
Description
Writer
As the name suggests, Writer is a word processor similar to Microsoft Word. Apart from offering most of the features available in Word, Writer can also export files to PDF and can also be used for creating and editing web pages. It also supports predictive text, which is not available in Word.
Calc
Calc is a spreadsheet application similar to Microsoft Excel and provides more features than Excel. For instance, it has a system that automatically defines series for graphs based on the layout of the user's data. Calc can also directly save spreadsheets as PDF files.
Impress
Impress which is alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint. It has the ability to create Flash (.swf) versions of presentations, which can be played on any computer installed with a Flash player. However, unlike PowerPoint, Impress lacks a good set of templates, though you can download templates from the Internet.
Base
Base is a database management system (DBMS) similar to Microsoft Access. Like any other DBMS, Base can be used to create and manage databases, and also build forms and reports to provide easy access to data for end-users.
Draw
Draw is a vector graphics editor and is similar to Microsoft Visio. It can be used to design technical or general posters. Using its Smart connectors you can design flowcharts, organization charts, network diagrams, etc. Draw also has desktop publishing features similar to ones offered by Microsoft Publisher.
Math
Math is a tool for creating and editing mathematical formulae, its function is similar to Microsoft Equation Editor. Formulae made in Math can be embedded inside other OpenOffice.org documents, such as those created in Writer.
[URL:OpenOffice.org]
PDF Viewer: Foxit Reader
If you are looking to switch from the clunky Adobe Acrobat Reader then look no further -- this multilingual PDF reader is lightweight, snappy and less resource intensive. The latest version of Foxit Reader supports embedded multimedia, new panels make it easier to view a document, manage attachments within the PDF, and control the display of certain content areas. Foxit Software has also included an add-on that allows users to organize, share and collaborate on documents and forms online. It also includes a Firefox plug-in, letting you view PDFs online within the popular Web browser. Apart from these new features, Foxit Reader has improved its text selection tool, print setup, popup note behaviour, supports multi-tab browsing, and even allows users to transfer preferences to a different computer.
[URL:FoxitSoftware.com]
PDF Creator: PDFCreator
You can use this nifty tool to create PDFs of almost any document including text files, spreadsheets and Web pages. You do not need to worry about having to pay for Adobe Acrobat Professional, especially when you are not going to use all of its features. This tool will suffice your needs and save you a packet too. All you need to do is install this utility and select PDF Creator each time you print a document. PDF Creator can also create PDFs of images (PNG, JPEG, BMP, PCX, TIFF, PS, EPS, PSD, PCL, RAW) and postscript (.ps) files. This tool also includes security settings that allows a user to disable printing, add encrypted passwords (compatible with Adobe Acrobat 3 and higher).
PDF Creator supports all Windows operating systems including Windows Vista.
[URL:pdfforge.org]
Dictionary: WordWeb
There are times when even the dictionary in a word processor falls short of expectations. You may have also come across words whilst browsing the Web, or a PDF that you do not know the meaning of. Instead of keeping the pocket dictionary by your side or having to login to Dictionary.com each time you stumble upon a cracker of a word, install WordWeb -- a lightweight thesaurus and dictionary that can look up words in almost any program. It works offline, provides detailed definitions and pronunciations of a word or phrase including synonyms and antonyms of the same. You can even set a keyboard-mouse shortcut -- just select a word, use the shortcut and WordWeb will pop up with its definition and a list of synonyms. With this 150,000 word dictionary, combined with 120,000 synonym sets, you will not be running out of words for quite some time.
[URL:wordweb.info]
File Archiver: 7-Zip
Many a time you find that you are running out of storage space simply because of all the old files stored on it. But you just don't want to remove them fearing that you might need them later. The solution to this is to archive your files using a tool like 7-Zip. Though 7-Zip operates primarily with the 7z archive format, it can also pack and unpack files in to a number of formats including ZIP, TAR, GZIP. The popular file formats which 7-Zip can extract are CAB, CHM, DMG, ISO, MSI, RAR, etc.
[URL:7-Zip.org]
Sticky Notes: Post-it Software Notes Lite
It is usual to forget appointments or events when you are busy at work. A reminder application could come handy in such situations. One such application is Post-it Software Notes Lite, which is the digital version of the popular canary-yellow Post-it Notes. You can use this software to keep quick reminders on your desktop, and also add alarms to your notes. You can create as many notes as you like and place them anywhere on your desktop. In case you do not wish the entire note to be visible, you can minimize it and only a tiny bar will be visible. Apart from these features Post-it Software Notes Lite also allows you to create notes with pictures and hyperlinks within them.
[URL:Post-it Lite]
Keep a look out for the second part of the freeware series.
Also Read:Essential Freeware for Businesses: Part II
In continuation to Part 2 of this series "How to Take Your Biz Online and Beyond", Abhishek M. Gupta, VP (Technology) of Lime Spot Technology, in Part 3, discusses how to increase traffic by by "affiliate marketing". Read on...
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