Nov 19 2008
Free Software and Programs
Last night I was trying to transfer Microsoft Money from my desktop computer to my laptop. I barely use the desktop anymore except for when I do bills. So, I copied it onto a zip drive from the desktop, put the zip into my laptop and it woudn’t work because I don’t have an execute or install file. I use Money just to keep track of our balances in our checking and savings. I don’t usually use the report feature very much. I usually do my own reports using excel.
So, I opened a browser window and searched “free money management program”. I found GNUCash , which is an open source program. Which basically means it’s free and I believe that once you download it you can use the programming code. It has the main feature I was looking for: a checkbook ledger and is able to keep track of multiple accounts. I am still learning how to use it and will look at it more over the next week because I have a break from my classes. I am not sure whether it has a feature for marking checks cleared. I hope so though.
I actually have a few freeware or open source programs on my computer. I have one called Photofiltre that I use on a daily basis to manipulate images and photos. It is similar to Photoshop, but a lot easier to use! I also find TONS of cool things through my Firefox browser for free. One of them is called Pencil and it has proved invaluable for this one class I am taking right now where I have to provide mockups of computer systems. They have ad-ons for html and css editing. If you have Firefox and would like to check out what you can add-on, in your browser window click on Tools, Add-Ons, and then Get Add-ons. You can look through them and download whatever you would like.
So, if you’re looking for a program for something, just don’t automatically go out and buy a program. Look online first and see what’s out there. I don’t use Openoffice, but that’s an alternative to Microsoft Office. If you have any questions / comments feel free to leave one.
