Open Source Software
I have to admit something kind of sad. It wasn’t until just recently that I learned about all the different kinds of open source software that are out there. Over the years I have had to learn to use many different kinds of word processing programs but on thing has always stayed consistent. I have always used an MS version of whatever word processing program is being used by the educational institutions that I spend the majority of my time at.
When I attended SIAST I used MS Word and when I bought a computer I made sure it had the same program so I didn’t have to learn something new and scary. Because I work for the public school board and they have Microsoft Word on their computers, I learned how to use that word processing program. I always regarded Linux people as reclusive, elitist nerds. I didn’t have a clue what “open-source” meant so I paid no attention to the great Linux controversy. I was nowhere near skillful enough at dealing with computers to think of installing a new operating system and learning how to use it. So I got stuck with using Microsoft Office. I had two lousy choices and chose the lesser of two evils. Either I can get a pirated version of MS or pay big money for the MS version. Operating systems and office software are not cheap. But now there is a much better option that I think everybody should use. Open source Software!
Did you know that there are all kinds of software that are absolutely free and offered to the community at large? You can get Open Office, free office software. It has an excellent word processing program called Writer. I will be honest and say that I have no idea how to use it but from what I can tell so far, it’s really user friendly. I noticed that it has a button for pdf format. I have had to make pdf forms in the past and I will tell you that it was a pain in the butt and it is not offered with MS Word. It’s already better than the crappy bloat ware that you have to spend money on to get from MS.
I also heard about ubuntu, the Linux operating system and I am planning on getting that put on my computer. But in the meantime, I will be happy to learn how to use Open Office. It also comes with an Excel type spreadsheet. Word processing and spreadsheets are two programs that I use the most, so why would I not take advantage of the free stuff that has an awesome support community standing behind it? I am pretty pumped about this. I can’t wait until I can live completely free from Microsoft junk.
