Did You Know There Was Such A Day?

Home - Software Freedom Day: "Software Freedom Day is a global grassroots effort to promote the use of Free and Open Source Software."

Check out the site and take part!

Chris

You Mean Windows Isn't Freeware?

Microsoft Lowers the Boom on Illegal Windows Copies: "Starting Tuesday, it will be mandatory for users of this Windows software to certify that their software is a genuine and legal copy before they will be able to receive any updates except security patches and fixes via Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and the Download Center."

This is what I was talking about in an earlier comment. It's all very interesting...

Chris

I Wasn't Going To Get Into This, But...

The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF): "We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be true about a particular software program for it to be considered free software.

``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in ``free beer.''

Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:

* The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
* The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
* The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
* The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this"


That's the GNU Project/Free Software Foundation (FSF) definition of free software. And I think that's the best kind of free software - software that's truly free in every sense of the word.

However, there's lots of excellent so called 'free as in beer' software out there that can offer people a lot of value, so I'm not going to debate ideology and philosophy here - there's plenty of other forums for that sort of discussion - I just want to keep finding and telling you guys about software that you can use and don't have to pay for!

Chris

$2176.09 Worth of Software - For Free!

$2176.09 Worth of Software - For Free!: "'Who Else Wants To Know How To Get $2176.09 Worth of Software -
For FREE?!'"

Just launched by yours truly! If you like free software then you're gonna love this - I've done all the hard work for you so you can save bucketloads of time and money.

Post a comment or questions here.

Chris

Microsoft vs Open Source

BBC NEWS | Technology | Opening up challenges to Microsoft: "How does Microsoft face the growing challenges from open source, asks technology commentator Bill Thompson?

Image of a man trying out Microsoft Vista
Microsoft's announcement of Windows Vista failed to excite
The announcement that the next version of Windows will be called Vista has singularly failed to set the computing world on fire."

I know who I'm cheerin' for!

Chris

Exactly what is open source?

Technology News: Open Source: Is That Software Really Free and Open?: "Many times I see the term 'open source' mis-applied. People often assume that any software that has the source code available is open source because they can change it themselves. However, it is often the case that much of this software does not give one the right to distribute the modifications, hence it is not truly open source."

I've seen it mis-applied too - in fact I've I've done it myself... I guess we should be a little more careful about how we bandy the term about.

Chris

Medicare To Offer Doctors Free Software

Medicare Will Offer Doctors Free Software for Computerized Records System: "In an effort to encourage the change over to electronic systems, Medicare, which claims that old paper filing systems present one of the biggest impediments to improved health care, has announced that it will give software to doctors free of charge to computerize their offices. They will also provide a list of companies which will administer technical support."

Sounds nice but apparently some doctors are concerned at the cost of implementation.

Chris

Spyware Be Gone!

Antivirus: "Spyware is the virtual plague of the new Millenium. You no longer have to receive emails with viruses in them or even click on dangerous links on websites. Simply surfing the web can now leave you wide open to the scourge of spyware"

This is a good article - worth taking the time to read. Spyware is sometimes a concern with regard to free software. If you're in a hurry just get Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy and run 'em. They're free of course!

Chris.

Keep Your PC Safe and Secure - For Free of Course!

Free and affordable internet marketing research, reviews, resources and strategies: "For a maximum of security you need a few softwares:

1. a firewall
2. an anti-virus software
3. an anti-spyware software (probably 2)
4. (not necessarily but recommended) a spyware-prevention software
5. a software to safeguard important program files and to prevent changes"

I agree with this absolutely. check out this excellent 2-part post.

Chris.

Keep Your PC Safe and Secure - For Free of Course!

Free and affordable internet marketing research, reviews, resources and strategies: "For a maximum of security you need a few softwares:

1. a firewall
2. an anti-virus software
3. an anti-spyware software (probably 2)
4. (not necessarily but recommended) a spyware-prevention software
5. a software to safeguard important program files and to prevent changes"

I agree with this absolutely. Check out this excellent 2-part post.

Chris

Can GIMPshop Win Over the Pirates?

Plastic Bugs - Home of the 'Original' GIMPshop » Blog Archive » Announcing GIMPshop: "I have been hacking the Gimp for weeks and it’s finally ready. GIMPshop for Mac OS X 10.3 is now available!"

This looks really cool - for Mac, Linux and Windows!

Chris

How's This For a Cool List?!

HalfMex.com » The Best of the Freeware: "After having just purchased a Mac, I was in search of the best [free] software I could find. I would be starting from scratch, not having ever owned or used a Macintosh, so I figured I could make a nice, usable list for myself and some of my friends who are about to make the same plunge I did."

Great list of free resources for both Windows and Mac users!

Chris

Yes, You Can Make Money from Free Software

Making Money from Free Software: "Opinion: Yes, you really can make money from 'free' software; you just need to have a good business plan. "

I wish more companies would use these kinds of business model - I think the world would be a better place!

Chris

Jam Over the Net for Free!

Commons Jamming across the net: "NINJAM is a free software product that lets you jam (make music) with other NINJAM users across the net. It's weirder and cooler than just that. All tracks, remote and local, can be saved individually for offline remixing, and all NINJAMmers agree to use a Creative Commons license in order to participate. The weirder part ... you'll have to try for yourself."

Now that sounds really cool for the musical one out there. Note that you have to agree to a Creative Commons license though...

Chris