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Free Open Source Replacements for Common Desktop Applications

Here I am specifically looking for desktop software for Windows XP, not online versions. This is mainly because in South Africa bandwidth is still a problem and most people are still on dial-up.


When I talk about replacing more mainstream versions, I don’t mean that these free applications will do everything the commercial versions will but they may just suit you if you are not wanting to spend money on software you only use 5% of the functionality of.

Word Processing

Are you looking to replace Word or Office for that matter. Finding that Microsoft’s pricing is getting more and more exorbitant.

AbiWord-Screenshot AbiWord is a more simplistic version

Version: 2.4.6 – File size: 5.16MB – Last Updated: 07

Platform: Windows 95b up to XP

Spreadsheet

Want to replace Excel?

Gnumeric I haven’t had a change to test it yet

Version: 1.6.3 build 2 – File size: 16.21MB – Last Updated: 07

Platform: Windows XP

Vector Graphics

Want to replace Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Xara X or the now obsolete Freehand?

Inkscape-Screenshot Inkscape

Version: 0.45.1 – File size: 21.91MB – Last Updated: 20.03.07

Platform: Windows XP

Desktop Publishing – Page Layout

Want to replace InDesign?

Scribus

Version: 1.3.3.9 – File size: 12.96MB – Last Updated: 06.05.07

Platform: Windows 2000/XP, MacOS X, OS/2, Debian Repository w/Instructions, Source and RPMS. See the changelog for a list of changes.

Needs a copy of Ghostscript (8.60 – 11.72MB) installed v8.53 or newer prior to installing Scribus.

Web Design

Want to replace Dreamweaver?

KompoZer

Version: 0.7.10 – File size: 7.6MB – Last Updated: 30.08.07

Photo Editing

Want to replace Photoshop?

GIMP-Screenshot GIMP

Version: 2.2.17 – File size: 7.7MB – Last Updated: 07

Platform: Windows 98/ME/NT4/2000/XP, MacOS X, Unix (including Linux)

If this is the first time you’re installing The GIMP, you will also need GTK+ 2 (2.1.13 – 6MB) Runtime Environment.

Picasa-Screenshot Picasa – brilliant for managing your photos and for quick and simple image manipulation. You can undo at any point in time, as long as you haven’t told Picasa to “Save Changes”.

Version: 2.7 – File size: 5.63MB – Last Updated: 07

Platform: Windows 2000/XP/Vista

Office Suite

Want to replace Microsoft’s Office Suite?

OpenOffice – Used to be StarOffice, IBM now onboard

Includes: Writer – Word Processor, Impress – Presentation, Draw – Graphics, Calc – Spreadsheet, Base – Database

Version: 2.3.0 – File size: 106MB – Last Updated: 07

Platform: Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista, MacOS X, Linux, FreeBSD

Date Format: dd.mm.yy

Please post a comment if you notice any of the applications are out of date or if you have others I have left out.

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