Kiss proprietary software goodbye
Jimmy Atkinson of WHDb put together something we all can love. We all have our favorite open source alternatives for the programs we can’t live without. Jimmy decided to drop a nice list of 50 such apps and their Open Source alternatives.
Granted we all probably know most of them, but I found a few gems I’m going to have to check out….
Oh, how I love OSS.
You know, I like OSS as much as the next guy, but I have these lists that just say well here’s the OSS equivalent of the commercial/proprietary package you used. Have at it. In most cases the alternative is not mature enough, lacks key features or is harder to use and / or has a horrrid user interface.
Some laughable examples are:
Photoshop -> Gimp
Dreamweaver ->NVU
Outlook -> Thunderbird
And in many cases if an end user dare mail the list and ask for a feature they are flamed because “we’re making this software for free here, buddy, like it or lump it.” “You got the source, just hack it to do what you want.”
Ryan,
I have to agree with you. I enjoy a good free alternative as much as the next guy, but your point is true. It often is inferior and the support you receive is not great most the time. However, I definitely think their is a time and a place for OSS in any network. Whether that be cost concerns or a general lack of commitment or need to a new approach. I realize that wasn’t clear, but I can’t help but think of times when I’ve had departments come to us and say, we need Photoshop to edit these Missionary photos. No they don’t, they needs something incredibly simpler to use.
Thanks for the comment.