Free Sources of Software Superior to Microsoft, etc.

Vanity ^ | 7/18/06 | Dangus

[WhiteGuy]

have you tried Windows Media Player 11?

No, but I did have the challenge of converting an analog tape recorded in "speeded up mode" on a hand held cassette recorder to normal speed as a digital file.

Audacity was the only solution I could find at the time that allowed this type of manipulation (and for free)

I have used it for a variety of applications including creating custom ring tones and other audio editing needs. Based on the "open access" platform, I will not look elsewhere until the application no longer suits my needs.

[paristwelve]

It's more expensive in France due to Vat. It was 159 euros including VAT 19.60%.

[Echo Talon]

WMP11 rips CD's(fast)to wma or mp3 names them and organizes them very well. Not sure if it has editing features at all though..

[Echo Talon]

what a Vat?

[Echo Talon]

oh tax.. :)

[dangus]

Pixel seems better than many other commercial products out there. But it's not freeware; it's shareware that isn't even fully usable: It imprints "Demo" over everything. In all honesty, the price for the beta version $30 is quite a steal... the package will be placed with the big boys at $100 once they are sure there are no more bugs. But my quick impression is that of the big boys, it'd probably be my favorite, despite some nonsensical behavior, which I quickly discovered how to avoid. For instance, the first "new" page was "white paper," which apparently is an uneditable layer.

[Echo Talon]

Pixel’s price is now $32, the final release in 2006 will cost more ($79). If you purchase now, you can save $47 and all updates until the next major release (not including) are available for free.

Benefits of purchasing

* If you purchase now, your license includes all updates until v2.0 (you save $47)

* License is multiplatform, you can use it on more platforms at once SWEET!

* By purchasing you will get localized version of this product

* By purchasing you get personal support

[dangus]

I would NOT say that GIMP is BETTER than Photoshop. In my world "as powerful as" and free tops shelling out $700 any day. But I will partially retract that "Best" comment: I did just visit the Photoshop web site and would have to say that they have some reeeeeaalllly neat new features in the brand new CS2 release. I would have to agree that for high end users, the new PhotoShop looks pretty darned awesome.

[Echo Talon]

For instance, the first "new" page was "white paper," which apparently is an uneditable layer.

when you make "new" you can choose Content:White paper,Background or Transparent...

[Echo Talon]

I just did this with Pixel

[Echo Talon]

Photoshop is VERY powerful... Especially CS2, vanishing point is awesome! :)

[Texasforever]

Has anyone here tried openoffice ?

[WhiteGuy]

WMP11 rips CD's(fast)to wma or mp3 names them and organizes them very well. Not sure if it has editing features at all though..

I see your point. I was only advocating Audacity as it applies to editing, adding effects, etc.

Thanks for the info on WMP for ripping and burning! I'll give it a whirl.

[MikefromOhio]

Something else I've noticed is when I am at a webpage that uses JAVA extensively (like NOAA.gov for weather radars), that tends to jack up the amount of memory that FireFox is taking up.

The only true way I've found to get it to back off is to close it and reopen the entire application.

And it isn't NEARLY as bad now as it used to be.

[Echo Talon]

Has anyone here tried openoffice ?

Yes, Open Office is great IMHO, ALL home users should have it...

[Texasforever]

THanks I am downloading now.

[Echo Talon]

its good stuff. :) enjoy.

[dangus]

I downloaded it today. I was so shocked at how excellent it was, that it inspired me to write this post.

[Echo Talon]

If you want some more FREE apps check out majorgeeks.com, be careful some are shareware but some are freeware..

[ShadowAce]