GA COMO-Free! Alternatives to expesnive technology

Free!  Alternatives to Expensive Technologyby Andrew Shuping

Interlibrary Loan/Circulation Services LibrarianJack Tarver Library, Mercer University

October 15, 2008GA COMO

We're covering what?

So what are we looking at today?  • Not looking at open source ILS  • Not looking at programs that require the use of a server• Looking at programs that can be used online or downloaded to the

computer• Some of these tools may require other equipment, such as a

webcam or a microphone • Tools that are FREE!

Why even look at free?

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/04/06/funny-pictures-bbc-budget-gets-slashed/

Programs you already know

What free programs have you already encountered?

How about:• iTunes• Flickr• Picasa• Firefox• AIM• Adobe Reader

What else have you encountered?

What alternatives?

Alternatives to:• Microsoft Office• Adobe Photoshop/Corel Draw• Camtasia (screen capture)• Online meeting collaboration tools• Computer protection• Other 

 Unfortunately there's not enough time to show all of them or even some of them in depth.  But fear not!  We'll cover some high points and show resources to find others!

Document Alternatives Downloads:

• Open Office--Windows, Linux, and Mac• IBM Lotus Symphony--Windows and Linux 

 Online:

• Zoho• Google Documents• Slideshare.net• Scribid

Demoing today Google Documents

Photo EditingSome alternatives to Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw Download:

• Paint.net--Windows only• Gimp--Windows, Linux, and Mac• Artweaver--Windows only

 Online:

• Picnik--integrated with Flickr, free and paid versions• FotoFlexer--Flash based, wide range of tools and editing capabilities

Showcasing FotoFlexer

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/09/02/funny-pictures-im-watchin-my-stories/

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/01/24/funny-pictures-stay-on-target/

Screen SharingAlternatives to Camtasia

• 12seconds--Requires a webcam and is hosted on their site.  Only 12 seconds.

• Screencast-O-Matic--requires Java to run, no downloads!• Jing--from creators of Camtasia.  Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Requires .Net3 framework.  Only 5 minutes and hosted on their site. See this page for an example.

• CamStudio--requires download.   • Capture Fox--FireFox addon.  

  Showcasing Screencast-O-Matic

Online Meeting Collaboration

Download:• ooVoo--Web cam chat• Skype--call other Skype users, video chats, and other lines for

$0.014 per minute Online:• Dimdim--Web collaboration, whiteboard• WiZiQ--collaborative whiteboard, desktop sharing, flash based • Doodle--Schedule a meeting, poll

  Showcasing WiZiQ

Computer Protection

Alternatives to Norton or McAfee  All downloads:

• AVG Free--Anti Virus software, Windows product only, read the license before using for the library!

• Spybot--spyware remover, Windows product only• Ad-Aware--adware, spyware remover.  Windows product• PC Tools Firewall--firewall, Windows product• Avast--anti virus software, Windows product, read the license

before using for the library! Showcasing AVG Free and PC Tools Firewall

OtherWhat does other include?  All kinds of cool tools and programs that can be used in the library.

Downloads

• Box.net--store and sync your files  • Foxit---alternative to Adobe Reader, faster and lightweight • CutePDF --create PDF's from almost any Office file• Firefox Add ons 

 Online:

• Zamzar.com--convert files from one type to another• Weebly.com--free website design and hosting• ADrive.com--50GB of online storage

Example of Weebly.com

Sources?

• Searching for a need• Blogs:

o Lifehackero Download Squado Techcrunch

• Listserv and other blogs • Most important, colleagues.  Both in real life and virtual networks.

Reminders!• Remember when downloading software to your computer make

sure, you can trust the site.  Check to see if it's available on Download.com or Softpedia.com, two sites that check to make sure programs are not spyware and help protect your PC.

 • Examine the license!  Do this for either type of software, and

make sure that it meets your needs and won't obligate you to the company for future payments.  

 • Please note that some versions have both FREE and paid

versions.  Make sure you look at the differences. • Check to make sure that your computer meets the minimum

requirements to run the programs.

Questions?

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/10/31/11197/

Thank you!

I can be found at:http://musingsoflibrarian.blogspot.com/

[email protected]

Link for my presentation will be located on my blogResource list at:  http://delicious.com/GAashuping