Open Source Software
Open Source offers a range of alternatives to using expensive commercial software. The programs below offer realistic alternatives with pretty much similar features and in some cases better features - just give them a try as after all they are free!
Remember, Open Source programs are some of the most reliable ones around and are continually updated because of the large number of developers/software testers who continue to work on them.
GIMP as alternative to Photoshop
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/
GIMP is almost identical to Photoshop because of its similar way of working with painting tools, layers, selections and filters. It also has the ability to load and save in Photoshop format, making it completely compatible with any Photoshop projects involving client or colleague files.
GIMP perhaps doesn't offer as polished a product as Photoshop and its text tools are a little bit behind Photoshop . However, if like most people you only use Photoshop to resize images or convert to a web image, edit colours, and possibly add the odd special effect to a photo, then GIMP is definitely a program to try!
Inkscape as alternative to Illustrator
Similar to Illustrator - Inkscape is a vector drawing program and also has many of the same features as both Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.
Inkscape offers plenty of features, e.g. shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns and groups. It can import numerous file formats including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and can export as PNG as well as numerous vector formats.
It also has the ability to read AI and SVG files exported from Illustrator. This software is a good option and should be worth a try!
OpenOffice.org as alternative to Microsoft Office
Open Office.org is a excellent alternative to Microsoft’s Office suite (excluding Outlook - see Thunderbird). It's a well established piece of software and is regularly updated with the most recent version being the very recently released v3.1.0.
This software contains more than adequate replacements for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. OOo has the ability to read and write in any of the native file formats. I use this software everyday for paperwork, invoices, accounts, etc. and it works a treat - we have the most recent version of Office but we prefer this - especially the alternative to Word.
Thunderbird E-Mail client as alternative to Outlook
http://www.mozillamessaging.com
Thunderbird offers virtually the same level of functionality as Outlook but being Open Source it's free. Thunderbird offers the ability to install add-ons while Outlook lacks much of this ability. Outlook as standard comes with a calendar function and a to-do list, but Thunderbird requires plug-ins for these features.
The majority of corporate computers use Outlook, which could potentially be a problem for some users but it is relatively easy to extend Thunderbird's capabilities.
