Free Open Source Softwares...

Just bought a new decent PC??? What now? No office suite?, No DTP? And no Graphic package? Do not worry, keep your money and get these FREE powerful opensource solution for the above!!!

For office suite you can get OpenOffice from OpenOffice.org or the latest free office suite from Sun Microsystems (announced on 15th August 2008 and available through the Google Pack software download service. Read below.) It is the StarOffice. Both can deal with the Microsoft Office files efficiently. OpenOffice is released under the LGPL licence. This means you may use it for any purpose - domestic, commercial, educational, public administration. You may install it on as many computers as you like. You may make copies and give them away to family, friends, students, employees - anyone you like.

You can also get Scribus Open Source Desktop publishing for your dtp purposes. Scribus is an open-source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/Unix, MacOS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with a combination of "press-ready" output and new approaches to page layout.

Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.

For the graphic get GiMP from GIMP.org. GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. The terms of usage and rules about copying are clearly listed in the GNU General Public License.

Yes! All are working flawlessly with Vista! :p Read on below:-

Sun Microsystems Announces StarOffice Software Suite to be Distributed Through Google Pack
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 15 — Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced that its award-winning office productivity software, StarOffice(TM), is now available through the Google Pack software download service. StarOffice is Sun’s commercial implementation of the popular open source office suite OpenOffice.org and supports Open Document Format (ODF). StarOffice is also compatible with Microsoft Office documents and is supported and indemnified by Sun. Google Pack is a free collection of essential software to help users set up their computers, find things faster and stay safe online.

In addition, Sun also announced that it has added web search functionality to all StarOffice products, enabling online search capabilities directly from its productivity suite. This new functionality is now available through the Google Pack download.

“Using ODF within StarOffice allows for interoperability and choice among those seeking free and open standards-based office productivity applications,” said Rich Green, executive vice-president of Software, Sun Microsystems, Inc. “With OpenOffice.org adoption growing at nearly three million downloads a month, we are seeing overwhelming adoption and exciting new opportunities emerging. We are absolutely thrilled to offer a new version of StarOffice that includes Google’s web search capabilities.”

Google Pack offers users a safe and easy way to install all the essential software they need in a matter of minutes. The addition of Sun’s StarOffice gives Google Pack users free access to an enterprise-strength office application. Starting now, users can install StarOffice as part of the Google Pack installation process. For more information about Google Pack, please visit http://pack.google.com.

About StarOffice StarOffice software is a powerful, affordable, and comprehensive office productivity suite (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, database, drawing program, web publishing application) that runs on Solaris(TM), Windows and Linux. Compatible with Microsoft Office, it includes a built-in PDF export tool and supports ODF, XML, Flash and HTML. Based on OpenOffice.org software, StarOffice software suite is indemnified and supported by Sun Microsystems.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun Microsystems develops the technologies that power the global marketplace. Guided by a singular vision — “The Network is the Computer” — Sun drives network participation through shared innovation, community development and open source leadership. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://www.sun.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chhandomay Mandal
Sun Microsystems
(603) 589-0576
chhandomay.mandal@sun.com

Sun, Sun Microsystems, Solaris, StarOffice and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Hmmm.... the choice is yours; BUY or FREE...