How to Get Free Writers' Super Software and More

This Hub is going to be short and very, very sweet. It began with my review of the many icons sitting on my monitor screen. As I looked at those icons, it occurred to me that a large number of them were for computer programs that I had downloaded free as "open source software systems." Over many years I have spent really big money for software. For these open source systems the cost was only for the time and the disk space required to download them. But, how nicely they all work.

It seemed that a decent thing to do about the open source software systems I have and use would be to share the information with others here on Hubpages as to how to get the software for themselves. My own list is short in comparison with what is available. I have about a dozen open source software systems out of thousands, but the ones I have are outstanding in quality and effectiveness.

Without further jawing about them, here is my list, and each of those listed has a link to help you get to the software systems for downloading.

OsCommerce – a large and full-featured Internet storefront system you use to construct your own store

Open Office – Very professional and compatible software including a word processor (equivalent to Microsoft Word and also accepts WordPerfect files), database management system (Access compatible), image presentation system (like PowerPoint for slideshows), spreadsheet (an Excel lookalike), image drawing, and scientific formula handler

Gimp 2.6 – Feature-rich image handling system, much like PhotoShop

CDR Tools – A really nice and compact DVD/CD creator that I use for backup and archiving. Located in the "Storage" category. Listed for downloading as "cdrtfe."

Filezilla FTP – You use this system to send files from your computer to distant servers, for example, to your Web site.

Mozilla Firefox – The same capable and fast browser around which Hubpages is constructed

Copernic Agent Basic – Combines the power of up to 13 different search engines into a single system

Install Creator – Used to build and implement "installers" on portable flash drives plus other types of storage devices and disk drives.

Adobe Reader – Allows you to display, navigate, print, and save portable document format (PDF) type documents.

Paltalk – If you install this software on your computer you will be able to participate in voice/text/video "chatrooms" originating all over the world – including those you set up to communicate between members of your own group, club, school, etc. - dealing with any subjects that suit you. Some of our members of the Sampson Air Force Base Veterans Association and of our more local Southwest Region Squadron are "on Paltalk" every Tuesday, Thursday (Sampson Conversation "voice room"), and Sunday evenings (SW Region Squadron Voice/Text Chat Room) for great Internet "reunions."

Clip Art, Photos, etc. – Here is 1 good link: Clip Art and Photos

There is one source from which you can download hundreds of open source software systems. That one is Sourceforge.

If you have any problems with any of the links, kindly let me know. All of them were working nicely on the evening of Friday, September 25, 2009. As we all know, after the passage of time, any link can stink, and I would like to keep the information here as workable as possible. You can find me through one of my Web sites, Sampson AFB or Academy Central Charity High School, or simply leave a comment below this Hub.

OK. Going after those open source software links and the other freebies will probably keep your little fingers quite busy for a time. Have fun. Save big bucks!