Some notes and cautions on the free resources that are available on the web:
by Paul L.G. Morris: an experienced, respected and qualified Computer Advisor.
Something for nothing?
For the majority of us, it is generally accepted that you cannot get something for nothing. However, on the web this maxim seems to break down. There are a number of individuals, groups and companies that offer useful resources for nothing - and this doesn't include facilities such as Google's search which is paid for by advertising. For example, did you know that about half the world's websites are run on free software called Apache? Another example that you may of heard of is 'Linux' which is now being offered as an alternative to Windows on PCs, but it also drives many of the computers on the web (which in turn use Apache…)
Some companies offer free basic versions of their commercial products in the hope that you will upgrade to their paid-for product for more features or support - for example, the free anti-virus software mentioned below. Some people give their product for free, but politely ask you to make a donation to help pay for its development - one such product is Jalbum which Paul uses for his photography galleries. Much of the free software for your PC is known as 'Open Source' where there are thousands of software developers building products because they want to, not because they get paid - have a look at Source Forge to get an idea of the scale of this.
A word a warning. The web can be a dangerous place: there are people who offer free stuff but in reality will give your PC a nasty virus. Don't use any link unless you know it is from a trusted source - search engine results are not a trusted source, not even their adverts or 'sponsored links'.
Here are a few suggestions for free resources that may help you save money in these cash-strapped times:
Office Software (Word Processing, Spreadsheets etc.): Many people use only the very basic features of office software products. Unless you are a power user, try Open Office. For what most people use it for, this is largely compatible with Microsoft Office and it can read and write Office files, although you may get slight formatting differences. Or you could try Google's free on-line offering Google Docs. The advantage with this is that you can access it from anywhere with a reasonable internet connection and you don't have to worry about saving stuff.
Digital Photo management: If you don't like what came with your camera, give Google's Picasa a try. This will help you organise your photographs and has some basic editing tools built in. For advanced users who cannot afford Photoshop, you may be interested in 'The Gimp'.
Anti-virus: These days you must have anti-virus software running on your PC. There are two well-regarded free offerings - AVG (this is what Paul uses on his home PC) or Avira.
Email Services: Many ISPs (the people who connect you to the Internet) provide email accounts that are tied to their services - move to another supplier and you lose the address and emails. In Paul's opinion, it is better to user a web-based service. The classic is Hotmail. However, Paul finds the advertising is too obtrusive. He uses Google's Gmail (known as Googlemail in the UK) which also has features that you need to pay for in Hotmail.
If you are looking for basic, no-nonsense advice at a reasonable cost, talk to Paul first - especially if you are getting a website developed - he may be able to help you avoid wasting money. Paul can arrange face-to-face meetings in East Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk, etc.)