If you?re starting up a business, or if you have a limited budget to spend on a computer system, it is often out of the question to purchase all the software needed you need at once yet you need them to produce your works ? that is where less costly in fact ?free? alternatives come in handy: Open Source Software (OSS).

OSS tends to be developed by software engineers with a generous desire to share common functionalities or modules so that others do not rewrite the same code. This movement was quickly spread around the globe in the IT industry as simple functions users may think it's easy to create actually needs a few thousand lines of codes.

Nowadays, OSS is used in every part of business and educational operations, especially with SME businesses where budget for computer system is limited.

In this issue, I would like to introduce some OSS software commonly adapted by regular users. The tools are written professionally to replace proprietary software.

1. Ubuntu Operation System (OS) - An alternative to replace your Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 7. It is an operation system created with user friendly interfaces so that you can smoothly switch from your current operating system. Although, it may take a reasonable amount of time to get used to, you will soon find you can do everything you could on your previous OS.

2. OpenOffice - Productive suite of tools to replace you presentation, spreadsheet and
work processing software. It even comes with a database and drawing tools. OpenOffice is capable of saving files in a format that is readable / writable to other office software so that you can have OpenOffice co-existing with other proprietary software.

3. PDF Creator - When you need to create PDF documents from your spreadsheet or work processing document, this is the tool you are looking for. Simply install this software and print your document.

4. ClamAV (ClamWIN) - Antivirus software to product your machine from virus. ClamAV is updated regularly so that any newly introduced virus is caught.

5. Gimpshop - When you need to edit your photo or create simple graphics, Gimpshop brings creative tools to edit your images and photos. Many advanced graphic tools are available in this remarkable software.

6. Gannt Project - Are you in a construction business or project management company?
Gannt project is a simple application to replace your Project Software. From Gannt chart
to project progress tracking, Gannt Project provides necessary functions to manage your projects.

7. GnuCash - An accounting software to trace or track your incomes and spending. It
provides enough tools to see an overview of your financial movement and statistics for your personal and business accounting.

By adapting these tools wisely, you can cut some of your expenses while increasing productivity. Just remember that we are living in a ?free trade? world and that there
are always alternatives to your favorites.