Applications tailored to your desktop

Introduction

I know what you're thinking: "this guy will show us another one of those 'shopping list' of basic free software to use in our desktop ...". Unfortunately they are wrong. Really! Instead of creating more such an article (which incidentally are good, but repetitive and beaten beyond), this approach will be different: we talk about the characteristics and qualities that make such applications the option to tailor your desktop.

What software embodied as Microsoft Office, CorelDRAW, PhotoShop, PageMaker, DreamWeaver, among others, have in common (besides being proprietary)? If someone said "wealth of resources, facilities and many features available, exact! But for those who use or have used such software, do them another question: do you use ALL the resources available for such software?

This is a fact: the overwhelming majority of users do not use all resources available by proprietary software that just quoted, the few who do, usually are advanced users and / or have very specific needs. And yet, still prefer to use them instead of opting for free equivalents. Then comes another question in mind: to have those essential resources and more widely used, would not suffice to adopt the best free applications? If so, why not?

In general, the major free applications such as OpenOffice.org, Inkscape, GIMP, Scribus, KompoZer, Brasero, among others, do not implement all the functionality found in comparison to their proprietary equivalents. However, they remain perfect substitutes for the well-known proprietary options, including having other interesting advantages such as high performance (if it has fewer resources, require less processing load) and gratuity. And besides these advantages - they alone are more reasons than enough to adopt them - what are other qualities that deserve attention?

Proprietary software are typically paid software. And software - whatever the mode of licensing - need to receive updates from time to time. But, unlike the free alternatives, the owners need you to aggregate a significant difference compared with previous versions. Only then, would justify the launch of the new version and hence have their licenses purchased for use by users. Free software, no.

If you opt for proprietary software, we have to bear the cost with future updates. Even if the software used meet the needs and solutions are mature, we will suffer what is called a compulsory upgrade: the generated files from later versions are often incompatible with the software used, and this will certainly cause a number of limitations. Ever thought of receiving a customer request a quote for file format and can not open with "our" application because it is an earlier version? Yes, I know that ODF exists, however, many developers are not keen to adopt it.

And if you want the software update require new requirements in terms of software and hardware? For example, to install a new version of program X, it is necessary to update the operating system? Or, the processing load of the current hardware fails to account for new demands made by the updates?Wow, our problems do not end ...

To complete this picture, we still have to deal with the fact the software had reached a high level of maturity. And unlike the free alternatives, the owners need to show differentials for sale. To address this need, its developers reshape the entire GUI, change the positioning of some items, implement secondary resources, carry out cosmetic enhancements ... and in the end, we still have basically the same software! The secretary did not understand very well with the new software? Maybe if we pay a new training program, she can do the trick. Ah, then will continue with the old version? Then try to open a file generated by the current version!

Hmmm ... file formats, another major stumbling block! Unfortunately some software development companies do not provide good support to file formats from competing alternatives (as I said, are not enthusiastic). They think I'm exaggerating? I think not. As evidence, you look up on the same support for ODF (Open Document Format) a key search engines like Google and understand what I'm saying.

With free software, this whole scenario changed radically!

Initially, free software is usually freely available. So there is that pressure to be presented great advantages to justify its purchase, because free software tend to be free software. And with each new version, the improvements are integrated into the software implemented gradually, without dramatic changes in its structure. This means that the differences in software and hardware requirements are minimal, eliminating the extra costs that have already commented.

If such improvements are implemented gradually, the learning curve for using the new versions will be smoother, easing the need for training and technical support. Therefore, new training for the secretary may be quite unnecessary. And if she, sitting in the front of the computer, you have the feeling that "the system looks different," is just a feeling, soon, she will realize that you need to leave work on time and commence its activities. Simple as that, frankly. Is it not so with the "new" versions of Ubuntu?

Still not finished. Free software usually follow standards and open formats. This means that both the old and the new software will continue opening the same files as before. And if these patterns changed, will simply update the software in use, because as I said, normally the new versions of software are available free of charge. And no major differences in requirements for software and hardware.

Still on the file format support, free software are more open in this regard (and no wonder they are called free software). And if you need to open a file generated by another category of software, free software most likely will have adopted efficient conversion filters. A nice example for this category is OpenOffice.org, which in turn translates beautifully files generated by Microsoft Office, with very few losses (or even none).

Now comes the fun part: from the moment that free software does not need to have great advantages as justifications for the sale of licenses (as they are), all modifications are done mainly because it is necessary! Nothing profound reformulations and perfume, and yes, with real improvements utilities. It is for this reason that a seemingly simple free software contains virtually all the resources necessary for their activities. And if by chance anything is missing, believe me: the next version, this feature is certainly available. If it does not please you, will certainly be improved.

I once asked "Why opt for free software instead of the owners, beyond the issue of costing and freedom" (although they are more than enough reasons as justifications). Based on this article, I believe we have got that answer. And to sum it up, will not say that free software is the best, the greatest argument in this or any genre. Simply say that the main reason is that applications are tailored to your desktop! &;-D