In continuing my look at Open Source Software that I find to be useful (and in many cases I can't live without), I've decided to talk about Mozilla Sunbird, a neat calendar you can get for your computer.
I first got it a while ago and didn't really start using it, but when I started my most recent practicum (the one I'm doing right now and the one that is making it harder for me to keep the posts at a high level of quality) I started using it much more. Teachers take note: this is a great way to make a day book. I have actually been using Sunbird to do all of my planning.
Some features that I find useful. You can make multiple calendars to put on the calendar. So what does this mean for you? You can make a calendar for Work, Home, School, etc. or for each of your family members, and each can be in a different colour. I have about 10 or 15 calendars for different aspects of my life and can click one or another off very easily.
The actual events that you put in the calendar have a lot of space to write a description (this is where I put my plans). I have barely begun to scratch the surface of what this program can do (and expect an updated version in a few months as well!).
Like Firefox, Sunbird can also be customized and is starting to get a nice assortment of extensions and themes. The pickings are slim right now, but once Sunbird goes through more development there will likely be a lot of enhancements.
Read more about it at Wikipedia if you're interested.
Showing posts with label open source software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label open source software. Show all posts
Friday, May 11, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Great Programs: Open Office
Are you tired of paying too much money for programs like Microsoft Office only to find a new, costlier version is released soon after you get it? I've got a solution for you: Open Office. A few weeks ago I wrote about Open Source Software, and this is one such application I want to highlight.
Open Office is a free program. You don't have to pay a single cent for it (other than the internet connection you have to download it - and even that can be circumvented). This is by far it's biggest advantage over Microsoft Office, and the reason why I think it may start gaining steam.
Open Office comes with many features, including a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database program, a drawing program and a presentation program (much like Powerpoint). I've been using this for about a year and a half and have not had any problems with missing features. I'm sure there are things that the Microsoft programs can do that Open Office cannot, but they are not likely major features - and Open Office is constantly being updated so there it will be improved and you don't have to worry about paying for those improvements.
One question you may have is: Will my Word documents (.doc files) work in Open Office. The answer is yes, though because Microsoft is very secretive about their formatting, there will be some slight changes. This problem will be eliminated as more and more people and companies use Open Office (read about Open Office here and you'll see that many business and governments are using Open Office) and it becomes standard (the difference is also that the code that helps programs interpret their documents is not secret so Microsoft could make it easy to open those files in their programs - but that would make life to easy, wouldn't it?
Anyway, I'm sure you won't take just my word for it, so check out this comparison of office suites done by Wikipedia to find more information.
If you want to download Open Office to try, you can go to their website.
Open Office is a free program. You don't have to pay a single cent for it (other than the internet connection you have to download it - and even that can be circumvented). This is by far it's biggest advantage over Microsoft Office, and the reason why I think it may start gaining steam.
Open Office comes with many features, including a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database program, a drawing program and a presentation program (much like Powerpoint). I've been using this for about a year and a half and have not had any problems with missing features. I'm sure there are things that the Microsoft programs can do that Open Office cannot, but they are not likely major features - and Open Office is constantly being updated so there it will be improved and you don't have to worry about paying for those improvements.
One question you may have is: Will my Word documents (.doc files) work in Open Office. The answer is yes, though because Microsoft is very secretive about their formatting, there will be some slight changes. This problem will be eliminated as more and more people and companies use Open Office (read about Open Office here and you'll see that many business and governments are using Open Office) and it becomes standard (the difference is also that the code that helps programs interpret their documents is not secret so Microsoft could make it easy to open those files in their programs - but that would make life to easy, wouldn't it?
Anyway, I'm sure you won't take just my word for it, so check out this comparison of office suites done by Wikipedia to find more information.
If you want to download Open Office to try, you can go to their website.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Open Source Software: The Basics
I have frequently used the term Open Source Software in my posts and some of my readers may not be completely sure what that is. I thought I would do a brief rundown of what it is and the advantages gained from using it.
Open Source Software is simply software that is not a secret. The source code of these programs is freely avaialable to anyone who wants to look at it. These programs are usually created by individuals who are more concerned with making a good program than they are with making money. Due to the code being freely available, the programs are also free (in most cases, there are some small exceptions). Think of Open Source Software as a collaborative effort compared to closed source software (like Windows) which is controlled by a small group of people.
Open Source Software is developed by anyone who wants to help. There are many online communities working on various applications and constantly updating them and making them better for everyone involved. If you wanted to help with building a program (and you had the skills), you could easily help.
The advantages of using Open Source Software are huge. I'll list a few of the bigger ones in a list:
Here are a couple of sites that have various Open Source programs on them (all free of course):
And a site that talks about Open Source Software:
I hope this has been informative. I would suggest trying some Open Source Software out to see how well it can serve your needs. I will be profiling some of the better programs I have encountered in the coming weeks and as always, I'll be talking about Firefox later today.
Open Source Software is simply software that is not a secret. The source code of these programs is freely avaialable to anyone who wants to look at it. These programs are usually created by individuals who are more concerned with making a good program than they are with making money. Due to the code being freely available, the programs are also free (in most cases, there are some small exceptions). Think of Open Source Software as a collaborative effort compared to closed source software (like Windows) which is controlled by a small group of people.
Open Source Software is developed by anyone who wants to help. There are many online communities working on various applications and constantly updating them and making them better for everyone involved. If you wanted to help with building a program (and you had the skills), you could easily help.
The advantages of using Open Source Software are huge. I'll list a few of the bigger ones in a list:
- Since there is no concern for money, and every concern for quality, programmers are constantly working to improve the programs, and not holding innovative ideas back so that people have to buy updates. Often, Open Source Software is more innovative and has been copied by closed source applications. An example of this is Microsoft copying Firefox's tabbed browsing (among other features).
- Speaking of Firefox, many Open Source programs allow for add-ons or extensions. These small programs can give you many helpful tools to complete tasks that you wouldn't otherwise be able to do. Other extensions are just for fun. Many of those will be discussed in my weekly posts about how to upgrade your Firefox.
- Cost. Open Source Software is free. Even if you don't realize that you pay for Windows or Mac OS, you are when you buy your computer. There are Open Source options (apparently Dell is offering Open Source operating systems on the computers they sell).
- A Sense of Community: Open Source software follows the idea that we are one community working together. Those who make Open Source Software are doing it to make something good for them and for others. They are not doing it for money (they may be doing it for fame, however). Open Source Software embraces the idea that we are a community and not the idea that we should hide the secrets to success.
Here are a couple of sites that have various Open Source programs on them (all free of course):
And a site that talks about Open Source Software:
I hope this has been informative. I would suggest trying some Open Source Software out to see how well it can serve your needs. I will be profiling some of the better programs I have encountered in the coming weeks and as always, I'll be talking about Firefox later today.
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