Open source software is so named because it is available to be downloaded free via the Internet. You can get great deals and internet promos from www.wildbluedeals.com. Users may need to agree to a developer’s terms for usage, but there is no purchase price for the licensing of the open source software. This advancement in technology has already provided a large number of open source alternatives for expensive applications. Some of the better open source programs available mimic those high-priced “brand names,” while others are of a more unique offering.
Google SketchUp is one particularly interesting open source application. SketchUp allows users to work with limited 3D modeling. It is advertised as being ideal for the “conceptual stage of design,” but the software is robust enough to allow a great deal of functionality. Users can apply colors, textures and shadows before exporting their creation as an ordinary graphics file.
Audacity is another open source program, this time for audio files. Audacity is used by a number of current podcasters, as it allows users to record live audio from many sources, combine those individual tracks, edit and export the finished product as an MP3, suitable for mass distribution.
Another freeware offering is phpBB, an open source application for the creation and management of multiple user message boards. These are typically used by organizations and hobbyists alike and provide a great deal of freedom and functionality. Board creators can designate forum moderators and administrators with various permissions, and even ban troublesome users from posting.
Ubunto is not simply an open source application; it is an entire operating system. Although it has not come close to rivaling Microsoft’s Windows, or even the Mac OSX, Ubunto is gaining popularity as an alternative for those who prefer to avoid Microsoft products.
Finally, OpenOffice.org is a complete software package containing a word processor, spreadsheet application presentation utility. It claims to be the closest simulation to MS Office available including compatible file extensions, but without the hefty price tag.