The Chronicles
August 2007
Salutations dear readers and fellow Laurentian neighbors,
This month, let's continue exploring the internet. Following the advice of many, you decided to buy a computer... You spent a substantial amount without really knowing what advantages to expect... You then realized you were encouraged to consider additional expenses for your new 'gadget'... - Instead, consider this question: did you know you have access to many free tools for your computer? Yes, FREE, on the internet of course! A very good reason to get connected to it! By knowing WHERE and HOW, it is possible for you to download free of charge all the necessary software needed for your projects.
Take for example the Microsoft 'Office' program (Word, Excel...) which is not included when buying a computer. It is expensive; and because it is the universal standard with regards to word processing or bookkeeping, you may feel it is indispensable. But it is not: instead of forking out this important additional amount, internet allows you to download an equivalent program, free of charge. Ta-daaaa!!
And what about Anti-Virus programs? All computers come already equipped with a commercial Anti-Virus, free for a period of 3 months. A substantial yearly payment is then due to continue being protected through regular updates. For home users, there are available on the Internet FREE Anti-Virus programs that are just as effective. Equally, it is possible (in fact necessary) to download, free of charge, anti-popup, anti-spam, anti-worm and anti-spy software. - And with all this protection software, through inexperience your computer still got infected? There again, FREE solutions are available via the Internet to enable your friend the computer to get all better… (P.s. it has been 6 years that I am using free anti-virus software and I have NEVER been infected... I'll give you more information on how to ensure this in a subsequent chronicle).
Finally, here are a few more examples of indispensable software available free of charge on the Internet: a recovery program (to restore photos mistakenly erased for example), a .pdf document reader/writer, a photo organizer, a movie organizer/player, a music player (although in this case you must be careful not to illegaly download music without paying for it), an international communication program (which allows you to talk computer to computer to anyone in the world, anywhere, free of charge), an alarm, and all kinds of games (bridge, chess....), a database, an agenda, a budgeting program, a document encryptor for confidential information. - All those programs and more to cater to your very specific interests whatever they are. And free, yes, all FREE! Alleluia for the Internet!!!
One last word: following the recent launch by Microsoft of its new operating system, Windows Vista (the next generation following Windows XP), I don't recommend you rushing to buy it (unless you are a multimedia freak AND have a VERY powerful computer). XP is and will remain an excellent operating system which will be supported by Microsoft for a good while yet. If however you are using Windows 98, or 2000, or Millenium, then you might find Vista a better option, both for interest and ease of use.
Here is the program I suggest you explore this month: Skype - ' The whole world can talk to each other free of charge '. Go on Skype's website, and surprise yourself with all the possibilities this FREE phone service offers: http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/features/
Bye for now and look after yourselves!
questions.monamilordi@gmail.com
DID YOU KNOW:
Software writers sell their programs to businesses. They make this software available free of charge to home users for the market recognition it provides.
This article originally appeared in Main Street – The Laurentians' English Language Community Newspaper.
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