Techno World: Open Source, Open to Anyone-and Cheap!
Software for your laptop can be pretty expensive especially if you have the need for applications to edit videos, retouch your photos from summer or even writing an English paper. But there's a way to get the software you that you need to get the job done, legally, and it's open source.
What exactly is open source? Open source software (OSS) is any computer software application that makes its programming code available for anyone to view, modify, and build new applications from.
But what does that mean to you, the average college student? Free or extremely cheap software! Mozilla Firefox is probably the most well known OSS application out there, but there are others, such as Gimp, Aptana and Open Office.
Gimp is a great alternative if you cannot afford Adobe Photoshop to edit and retouch photos of your cat. The tools are limited, however, when compared to Photoshop, but you can still adjust colors, take out unwanted elements and apply filters.
Aptana rivals the industry standard and expensive application for web design and development, Adobe Dreamweaver. Aptana lets you create and edit HTML, CSS and Javascript files the same way you would in other web design applications without the distracting interface.
The markup is color coded, which helps prevent any potential typos, and Aptana even lets you test your website in a web browser for troubleshooting. Once you are done, you simply upload your files using an open source FTP (hint: Cyberduck), and you are good to go.
In case you already purchased your one-and-only discounted copy of Microsoft Office at the UCBA Bookstore and lost or deleted it, Apache Open Office is a phenomenal alternative. Open Office comes with six applications: Writer (like MS Word), Calc (like MS Excel), Impress (like Powerpoint), Base (like MS Access), Draw (for crisp vector drawings), and Math to create and edit mathematical formulas.
Many of these applications can be downloaded via the MacApp Store or at their respected websites. Resources are out there for you to succeed in school without buying expensive software.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More ucba-activist News Articles
- Rihanna's Iconic Style Turns Heads
- Modern Television Dominated by "Reality"
- Spectre Is a Fun but Forgettable Bond Film
- Music World Fills with New Releases
Recent ucba-activist News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR UCBA-ACTIVIST
Diversity Focus Groups Report Scheduled for Jan. 14 By Activist Staff
A Look at UCBA's History Shows Growth and Demographic Changes By Ben Rigney, Activist Staff
UC Football Future By Ben Rigney, Activist Staff
Rihanna's Iconic Style Turns Heads By Brett Cummins, Activist Staff
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST UCBA-ACTIVIST NEWS
RECENT UCBA-ACTIVIST CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- New Writers and Illustrators Win Decades-Old Science...
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- La Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil destaca las oportunidades
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- NOW Available: Comcast Launches NOW Brand Prepaid Internet and Mobile Services Nationwide
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding