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My ITS department cycled out older laptops in our research institute. The new computers are running Windows 10, and numerous programs required updating. We use a specialized 2D camera system that requires Adobe Photoshop. We contacted our ITS and it turns out that Photoshop is now available only as a monthly subscription. As the department does not want to accommodate this new monthly expense, I suggested using GIMP as a free solution. We used Photoshop only about 4 times a year.
This new detail is a byproduct of ‘subscription as a sales’ phenomena. This arises from so many items moving to the cloud. I read a few online articles. The main premise is that the subscription is a cheap solution for smaller companies. These companies will not have to spend time troubleshooting or fixing the programs.
A number of free and open source software programs are available. These programs are available for Linux and Windows, and sometimes macOS. For example, GIMP is available for those three operating systems. However, I will focus mostly on free programs for Windows that I use on some of the research laptops.
My main resource for finding free software is using the website AlternativeTo (https://alternativeto.net/), The website covers all of the mainstream desktop and mobile operating systems. It has an easy-to-use search interface that lists all free and commercial programs.
For example, I wanted to find free alternatives to MS Office. The website gave a quick overview of MS Office, and a list of 39 alternatives. Each alternative is given a quick description, and a user’s ratings if it is an acceptable substitute program. From this list, I would find an alternative that was available for both Windows and Linux platforms. Accordingly, I would place this program onto my Linux machine, so I can transport any work between the two computers.
This is a quick and relatively easy way to find an alternative program. The reviewers will list the perks and fails of each program. Additionally, the website will also flag an application that could be potential malware. However, I have come to the conclusion there is a large pool of free software for Windows. There is a secondary resource that I use – the Free Software Directory (https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Category/All). Yet I do not venture down this path very often.
This directory is maintained by the Free Software Foundation with ties to Richard Stallman. There is a list of free applications in various categories, however the list is restricted. The foundation has a unique way for classifying what is truly free and non-intrusive. There can not be any commercial ties into the software application listed within the directory. Yet Stallman is correct in developing the software philosophy that we are in control of technology.
I mostly use AlternativeTo though, to find the “free programs.” For MS Publisher, I use LibreOffice or Scribus; however it is an adequate replacement. MS Publisher is utilized to create conference posters.
I use a ‘Mass File Renamer’ when I need to do batch file renames. GIMP is my replacement for Photoshop. When I have to do paperwork at home, I use the Google Productivity Apps. These apps being Google Drive and Google Docs mostly. I use Openshot when I need to edit videos, it is OS agnostic. When I need to share electronic documents off-campus, I use Dropbox.
Nitro PDF reader is a great PDF app. It enables me to strip text or pictures out of PDFs when necessary for research development or if I need an electronic signature; I dislike Adobe Reader. For mouse/keyboard recorders, I utilize Jitbit, or some program similar to it. When I need a disposable email for research recruitment, I use Proton Mail. Overall, the trend of monthly subscription can be avoided by utilizing free and open software sources. I donate small amounts to LibreOffice, GIMP, and other projects. This is my answer to this new and developing trend. This is an opportunity for the open software niche to become more mainstream and gain greater rates of adoption by new individuals. The open solution is the best answer many times.