The software that enables you to use a computer is a significant cost of owning and running a PC or Mac. This starts with the operating system which controls the basic functions such as Microsoft Vista on PCs and Mac OS on Apple Macs, and continues through to Spreadsheet and Word Processing programmes such as those included in Microsoft Office. On top of this there are other important programmes that every PC/Mac should have such as a Virus Checker, Spyware , etc

And that’s before you start getting into specific programmes you might need such as a Photo editing programme, accounts package and so on.

So how can you get round this?

Well this is a guide from The PC Support Group to help you choose and find the best free software currently available.

Why is some software free?

Most people think that this is either illegal or that the software will be bug ridden and problematic as it’s not an “official” purchased piece of software.

The fact is that free software, often known as “open source” software, has been developed by hundreds or even thousands of dedicated and enthusiastic programmers from around the world who have a mission to produce the best possible software. The sheer scale of these “teams” and their pride often produces better software than that created within the limits of traditional software development businesses.

Sometimes even large corporations offer free software. The reasons for this vary but most commonly you will have to provide your details (e-mail address, etc) and they can then try to persuade you to upgrade to a newer or more functional version. A minor annoyance for you to have access to some great technology for free!

It may seem strange but there is not really any area of software that you cannot trust an equivalent free version, provided it comes recommended by a reputable source, such as The PC Support Group, and you understand any limitations, which are usually clearly defined.

On the subject of limitations, many of the free versions from commercial businesses have certain restrictions but these can sometimes be a benefit, particularly to the basic home user, as they don’t tend to require such powerful computers and are often easier to manage. The less options the less complicated!

What free software is available?

Free Operating Systems

The operating system is clearly the “heart and soul” of your PC so we don’t recommend replacing it with a free version unless you have a reasonable level of competence.

If you think you qualify then the only obvious free operating system available is Linux, but before going down this route there are a number of other potential issues to consider.

Firstly, despite Linux having an estimated 8 million users worldwide, this is a drop in the ocean compared with the hundreds of millions that use Microsoft XP or 2000 operating systems. That’s a lot of people that know nothing but Windows; support and general knowledge is never going to be as widely available as it is for Microsoft or Apple’s proprietary systems.

Secondly, if you want a PC with Microsoft Windows then every PC vendor will happily supply it installed and ready for use. Unfortunately the same is not true for Linux. Although Dell and Lenovo offer a Linux version (and others are talking about it) it is a much more complicated purchase process.

Thirdly, Linux has nowhere near the level of hardware device support that the Windows operating system offers. This means that your printer, scanner, MP3 player etc may not easily link and communicate with your PC anymore. Before you take the plunge it’s worth checking if the version of Linux you intend to use does support the other devices you wish to use.

Despite these issues, if you are reasonably technical, on a tight budget and willing to put up with these pitfalls then Linux is worth considering.

As Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world, many companies have taken Linux and have “wrapped” it to make it look and feel as much like Windows as possible. This greatly eases any transition but leaves you with an array of possible varieties of Linux to choose from.

The most well known of these branded Linux operating systems are Red Hat (www.redhat.com), Debian (www.debian.org) and Ubuntu (www.unbuntu.com) although there are many others.

Of these, Ubuntu has gained a massive following due to its ease of use. It is free to download from the web or available with a support contract for about £10 per month.

Except for those elements of Windows that are proprietary to Microsoft, Ubuntu appears to emulate the Windows experience more closely than other similar offerings, which can be a big advantage if you are already familiar with Windows environment.

Free Web Browsing Software

There are loads of free web browsers to choose from but the most popular ones are Microsoft Internet Explorer (the one that comes with every MS Windows operating system), Firefox, Safari and Opera.