Free Alternatives: Part 1

Nikhil Rastogi, Oct 07, 2007 1343 hrs IST

Who says there's no free lunch? Here's one for your PC!

EXPERT REVIEW

I've been many times asked why someone wouldn't want to use software that's bundled by default with Windows, as long as it does the job - why the extra effort to look for something else? Here's my response: Why bother changing the factory installed music system in the car (which is generally of lower quality) for a custom selected one (of incredibly much higher quality)?

If you understand personalization, flexibility, functionality, and efficiency, you'll know what I'm talking about. In fact, when it comes to Windows, some of the factory installed software is so crappy, it's amazing how someone can even make and use the software - not to mention the marketing and forcibly bundling it along with the OS.

Now, this guide isn't a list of all the freeware applications that one can find, but rather a list of alternatives that you can - and in some cases should - use in an everyday usage scenario. Important to note is that considering freeware to be inferior to paid software is a great fallacy - most companies that shell out free software are able to do so because their main source of income is other sources. Free software for them is only a great way to publicize oneself, while for some, its a service to the community.

First and foremost comes:-

Security
"A safe home is a welcome home" - so goes for your computer, as it houses almost everything from your tax returns to your first year old's birthday party pics. And yes, Windows doesn't do anything to protect you (it does, but not much). The problem with being the most owned OS in the world is that you've numerous attackers, who figure out ways around the present level of security that your system offers - or rather what your system offers by default. This is the sole reason why someone should go for a different solution.

In the world of security, you need 3 things: an antivirus, Firewall, and an Anti-Spyware program. Oh yes! you can't skip on even one here. Remember: your system is only as good as its weakest point! Luckily, there are plenty of free alternatives to choose from.

It's appalling that Windows doesn't have a built-in antivirus. So you have no option but to go for one. Instead of coughing up thousands of rupees, why not try a free alternative?

AVAST Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/
Avast is one 1 place above AVG Antivirus as it's the only freeware application that not only has strong virus scanning but also comes bundled with network protection, web shield, web script blocker, and P2P and IM Shields. It's a great freeware application that beats all the rest in protection without hogging system resources.

ZoneAlarm Firewall
http://www.zonelabs.com
ZoneAlarm is one of the best and the simplest firewall program that I've ever used. It has excellent control over blocking incoming and outgoing traffic from your PC to outside networks. However, some would find it annoying its asking which programs need to connect to the net. You can overcome this simply by checking the program to "Always Allow" mode. Some firewalls don't ask you which programs ought to connect to the internet, or they just simply allow connection without filtering. With ZoneAlarm, it brings the onus on you - and rightly so. After all, the user is the biggest security asset or threat to an OS. ZoneAlarm comes in standard firewall only mode and a suite version, which includes a virus scanner.

USER COMMENTS

عزيزي المشتلاك

by syriatel, syria, on Nov 10, 2009 04:31 PM, Report abuse Reply

Thanks mate. Really informative

by Anil, Jodhpur, on Oct 11, 2009 07:38 AM, Report abuse Reply

HI, How are you can you replay

by Harshit (switoo, mumbai, on Sep 09, 2009 03:31 PM, Report abuse Reply

by siva, trichy, on Sep 09, 2009 11:00 AM, Report abuse Reply

You guys missed out Picasa from Google... its cool and comes with online integation... never has organising and mailing/sharing ur photos been so simple... version 3 installs a photo viewer which is the fastes photo viewer I've used till date. It comes with simple yet powerful editing options apart from collage and movie making option.

by Grasshoffer, The Greenfields, on Feb 04, 2009 03:09 PM, Report abuse Reply

i would prefer quintessential media player or old version of it as my default audio player than winamp. It's far advanced compared to winamp. And i love the alarm feature of it the most.

by raghavan, hyderabad, on Dec 30, 2008 06:32 PM, Report abuse Reply

Why wait for next week, visit http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm

by Rocky, Philadelphia, on Oct 08, 2007 09:53 PM, Report abuse Reply

Good listing.

by navneet, Delhi, on Oct 12, 2007 11:02 AM, Report abuse

I would recommend Comodo Personal Firewall (http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/) over ZoneAlarm.

by neo, pune, on Oct 11, 2007 10:02 AM, Report abuse Reply

Image manipulators -> Gimp Office Suites -> Open Office Browsers -> Firefox :) More to come !!

by Pat, Mumbai, on Oct 10, 2007 08:31 AM, Report abuse Reply

Hey you must also add mplayer as a free media player. It has the best support for a wide range of media formats. I have found it working on almost all the formats I have tried.

by Tiklu Ganguly, Hyderabad, on Oct 09, 2007 06:20 PM, Report abuse Reply

What an incomplete article?

by Kalyan Roy, Kolkata, on Oct 08, 2007 04:34 PM, Report abuse Reply

Have a habit of reading the bottomline (Pun intended). I will quote him for you. "I'll come out with Part II of this article next week. In the meantime, in the comments section below, share with us your own choice of free alternative software that you use. "

by Rahul Jawale, Hyderabad, on Oct 09, 2007 11:33 AM, Report abuse

xnview is also free good image viewer as runs fast compared to irfanview

by Anonymous, T, on Oct 09, 2007 11:08 AM, Report abuse Reply

If you have avast, you don't need any spyware/adware or firewall. how about telling us of some OS (easier to use than Linux?) I recommend Thunderbird or Seamonkey as a free mail client which are both excellent. One can also try Rainlendar for a nice, desktop calendar with features. Also OpenOffice as a great replacement for MSOffice, Firefox as the best alternative to IE, and stuff like BBLean or Litestep to replace the Windows desktop.

by patrickG, Kolkata, on Oct 08, 2007 07:22 PM, Report abuse Reply

hi, not conclusive nor good in quality, i would rate this 2.0 off 5.0...

by Vishal_Kadakia, mumbai, on Oct 08, 2007 12:07 PM, Report abuse Reply

Avast is spyware

by nawa, Bombay, on Oct 08, 2007 09:57 AM, Report abuse Reply

AVAST is not a spyware. It would seem that you may have downloaded a spurious copy of this software from a site other than AVAST's official website.

by Satadru, Kolkata, on Oct 08, 2007 11:55 AM, Report abuse

Nalla Article!

by Sata, Zhata, on Oct 08, 2007 11:33 AM, Report abuse Reply

Yeah, 'Page 2 -place this with page title' please :D (psst.... chk the drop down box !!)

by Chetan Thaker, Mumbai, on Oct 08, 2007 10:50 AM, Report abuse Reply