Description
Book SynopsisThis book will point the way to numerous free, low-cost, and open-source software solutions that could provide viable alternatives to their paid counterparts. Pro Freeware and Open Source Solutions for Business is now in its Second Edition; it has been thoroughly revised and updated. This book covers the most up-to-date software versions. Software described in the First Edition that is no longer available has been replaced with comparable titles when possible.
The book starts with an office productivity tool known as OfficeLibre and goes on to explain CRM and compression software. You will then learn about desktop publishing, illustration, 3D modeling, and photo editing software. As we progress further, you will learn more about audio-video capture and editing software along with Openshot, an easy-to-use free video editor. You will also learn about available project planning and time tracking software, and much more. By the end of the book, you will have also gained knowledge about security programs, as well as how to use Linux on Windows and MacOS.
With the challenging economic times we find ourselves in, this book may be more important than ever to help small business owners eliminate and reduce costs, and keep more money in their business. .
What You Will Learn
- Understand the important differences between freeware and open-source software.
- Discern which paid commercial software the free version replaces (when applicable).
- Gain insight into how organizations and municipalities around the world adopting open-source software to save money on licensing fees.
Who This Book Is For
Primarily small business owners, solo entrepreneurs or freelancers on a budget, and cost efficiency experts.
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Office Productivity, Note Taking, Accounting, and PDF Creation
LibreOffice: The Powerful Free Office Suite
LibreOffice Modules
Writer
Calc
Impress
Base
Draw
LibreOffice Support
Google Docs: Create Documents and Collaborate Online
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Google Slides
Google Forms
More
Google Docs Support
Google Keep: Create, Sync, and Share Notes
Feature Highlights
Google Keep Support
Zim: Open-Source Note Taking
Feature Highlights
Zim Support
GnuCash: Open-Source Accounting Software
Feature Highlights
GnuCash Support
Manager: Free Small Business Accounting Software
Feature Highlights
Manager Support
PDF reDirect: Basic PDF Creation Freeware
Feature Highlights
PDF reDirect Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 2: Point-of-Sale, CRM, Backup, and Compression Software
Imongo (Free Version): A Point-of-Sale Utility for the Small Shop or Boutique
Feature Highlights
Imonggo Support
POS/Cash Register: Turn Your Old PC Into a Cash Register
Feature Highlights
POS/Cash Register Support
Bitrx24 (Free Option): Basic CRM for Small Business
Feature Highlights
Bitrx24 Support
FBackup (Free Option): A Free Basic Backup Utility
Feature Highlights
FBackup Support
ZZip: An Open-Source Alternative to WinZip
Feature Highlights
7Zip Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 3: Desktop Publishing, Illustration, Painting, and 3D Modeling
Google Docs: Easy, Basic Desktop Publishing
Feature Highlights
Google Docs Support
Scribus: The Powerful, Professional, Open-Source Desktop Publishing Program
Feature Highlights
Design Capabilities
Scribus Support
Vectr:A Free, Basic On-line Vector Drawing Program
Feature Highlights
Design Capabilities
Vectr Support
Inkscape: Pro-Quality Open-Source Vector Drawing Software
Feature Highlights
Graphics Creation
Inkscape Support
Krita: The Powerful Open Source Digital Drawing and Painting Program
Feature Highlights
Document Creation
Brush Presets
Krita Support
FreeCAD: Open-Source Parametric 3D Modeling Software
Feature Highlights
Drafting Capabilities
FreeCAD Support
Blender: The Ultimate Open-Source 3D Creation Software
Feature Highlights
Rendering Capabilities
Blender Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 4: Photo Editing Software
PhotoScape: An Easy-to-Use Photo Editor for Beginners
Feature Highlights
Tools
Filters
Objects
PhotoScape Support
Paint.NET: Basic Image Editing for Windows
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
Graphics Creation
Paint.NET Support
GIMP: The Premier Open-Source Image Editor
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
Graphics Creation
GIMP Support
Pixlr: Web-Based and Mobile Device Photo Editing
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
darktable: An Open-Source Photography Workflow Program
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
darktable Support
FotoSketcher: Automatically Turn Photos Into Digital Art
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
FotoSketcher Support Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 5: Audio-Video Capture, Conversion, and Editing Software
fre:ac: (Free Audio Converter)An Open-Source Audio Converter and CD Ripper
Feature Highlights
fre:ac Support
AudacityⓇ: A Powerful Open-Source Audio Editor
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
AudacityⓇ Support
MPEG Streamclip: A Handy Free Video Conversion Tool
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
MPEG Streamclip Support
VirtualDub: Open-Source Video Processing for Windows
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
VirtualDubSupport
OpenShot: A Simple, Powerful Free Video Editor
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
OpenShot Support
Kdenlive: Open-Source Video Editing From Basic to Pro
Feature Highlights
Editing Capabilities
Kdenlive Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 6: Project Planning, Inventory Management, and Time Tracking Software
ProjectLibre An Open Source Alternative to Microsoft Project
Feature Highlights
ProjectLibre Support
monday.com: Free Basic Project Management Software
Feature Highlights
monday.com Support
ABC Inventory: A Free Option for Small and Mid-Sized Business
Feature Highlights
ABC Inventory Support
Homebase: Free Online Scheduling and HR Software
Feature Highlights
Homebase Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 7: Website Creation Software and Web Browsers
WordPress: Free, Open-Source Tool and Content Management System
Feature Highlights
Multi-Use and Multi-Blogging
WordPress Support
Wix: Build a Basic Site for Free
Feature Highlights
Wix Support
AVG Secure Browser:Browse More Securely and Privately
Feature Highlights
FireFox: The Browser that Respects Privacy
Feature Highlights
Chapter Summary
Chapter 8: Content Management Solutions
Drupal: An Open-Source, Community Based Alternative
Feature Highlights
Drupal Support
ConcreteCMS (Formerly concrete5): An Open Source Content Management System
Feature Highlights Concrete CMS Support
GetSimple CMS: A Simple, Open-Source Content Management System
Feature Highlights GetSimple CMS Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 9: Security Programs
Advanced IP Scanner: Free Scanner for IP Addresses
Feature Highlights Advanced IP Scanner Support
Keepass: A Free and Open-Source Password Manager
Feature Highlights
Keepass Support
tcpdump: A Powerful Command Line Packet Analyzer
Feature Highlights
tcpdump Support
Avira: Powerful, Free Antivirus Protection for Personal PCs and Macs
Feature Highlights
Avira Support
ClamAV: An Open-Source Cross Platform Anti-Virus Program
Feature Highlights
ClamAV Support
Signal (Formerly Open Whisper Systems): Open-Source Security for Mobile Devices
Feature Highlights
Signal Support
Chapter Summary
Chapter 10: Linux: The Free Alternative to Windows and Mac OS
What is Linux?
A Brief History of Linux
The Advantages of Using Linux
Ubuntu: Powering Millions of Laptop and Desktop Computers Around the World
Ease of Use
Ubuntu Dashboard and Desktop
Downloading and Installing Ubuntu
Ubuntu Software and Software Center
Running Windows Applications on WINE
Security
Accessory Compatibility
Ubuntu Support
Zorin OS: Especially for Newcomers to Linux
The Look Changer
Downloading and Installing Zorin OS
Zorin OS Support
Linux Mint: A Modern, Elegant Operating System
Downloading and Installing Linux Mint
Linux Mint Support
Chapter Summary
