Free and Open Source

**10cents** · 17-07-2007, 05:52

Hi!

Ever used free and open apps other than FireFox? I've got office 2003 but I ditched word for abiword. Here's some FOSS you might find interesting...

Democracy player ==> Plays any video file, search and downloads from YouTube.

Pidgin ==> IM apps and connects to AIM, AOL, Yahoo, and MSN among others.

RSSowl ==> RSS client.

VLC ==> lightweight video player. Plays most files.

MediaCoder ==> Rips CDs and DVDs. Converts video formats.

AbiWord ==> lean and mean wordprocessor. Opens and saves doc files.

**Alpha** · 17-07-2007, 10:20

Those things sound cool. i'll check them out when i've time.

**Olly** · 17-07-2007, 14:23

I use OpenOffice. I have found it to be just as good, if not better than MS Office. Office slows down my computer a lot but OpenOffice doesn't

**Donachiel** · 17-07-2007, 15:20

"We asked one hundred people what they keep their genitals in, or to describe Micorsoft products"

Buzzzzzz!

"Pants!"

"Our survey said... Bing!..Top answer...!"

**timey** · 17-07-2007, 18:00

Originally Posted by Olly

I use OpenOffice. I have found it to be just as good, if not better than MS Office. Office slows down my computer a lot but OpenOffice doesn't

I tried open office and it seems OK, but I haven't figured out how to use the database part yet. It does not seem to be as easy to use as Microsoft Access.

**Olly** · 17-07-2007, 19:24

Originally Posted by timey

I tried open office and it seems OK, but I haven't figured out how to use the database part yet. It does not seem to be as easy to use as Microsoft Access.

I haven't used the Database application. I never used Access in office though as I never need to use it so I can't compare or anything.

**timey** · 17-07-2007, 20:56

Originally Posted by Olly

I haven't used the Database application. I never used Access in office though as I never need to use it so I can't compare or anything.

I've been programming MS Access databases for years and most of my income for the last 8 years has come from that, so MS Access has been good for me. I have tried the OpenOffice one but haven't got far yet. I will persevere and see how it goes. Certainly, for most people, OpenOffice, being free, is a good idea and more economical than the MS stuff.