Free Programs for Freelancers
There are lots of free programs out there that actually suit your needs.
We freelancers usually don’t have big budgets for software, especially when we’re starting out. Luckily here are some free alternatives:
Office Suite. OpenOffice.org features word-processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and database programs, just to name a few. Works with many Microsoft Office files.
Graphic Design. With Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator costing $649 and $499 respectively, you’ll be glad to know there’s GIMP (raster) and Inkscape (vector). If you’re more into publishing, Scribus may be for you.
Web Design. There are lots of free HTML editors out there, but Nvu is one of the few that let you see the end product while editing it (aka WYSIWYG).
Photography. Picasa is an easy way to organize the thousands of pictures in your collection. Definitely better than the integrated manager of Windows’, and even iPhoto.
Making PDFs. Once you install it, you can set PDFCreator as your printer, meaning you can make PDFs with almost any application. Works only with Windows though.
Computer Animation. Thought Photoshop and Illustrator were expensive? Maya 8.5 costs thousands of dollars ($6999+ for the Unlimited version!). So aspiring freelance animators may want to practice with Blender.
There are reasons why industry-standard software like Photoshop are expensive. But if you can’t afford them, at least the programs above are powerful enough to get the job done. Incidentally, most of them are also available through the OpenCD project.
Tags: Blender, Freelance-Freebies, OpenOffice.orgRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Freebies, Useful Tools
13 opinions for Free Programs for Freelancers
Louis
Jan 18, 2007 at 4:28 pm
These sites are very interesting. Ill to check them out sometime. Hope Many Filipinos use there full potential with these free stuffs.
Kudos!
Rico
Jan 19, 2007 at 6:20 am
Good luck using them!
Contract Worker - Showing why “Freelancing” Isn’t Just an F-Word Through Shared Experiences and Useful Info.
Jan 21, 2007 at 1:49 am
[…] Good vector art programs include Illustrator and Inkscape. January 21st 2007 | Permalink | 0 Comments » […]
Vyoma
Jan 22, 2007 at 9:32 am
Hey thanks for that link on Scribus. That was a handy one and I am surprised I did not run into it earlier. :)
Rico
Jan 23, 2007 at 3:29 am
No problemo. I’m sure you’ll find it useful. ;)
Darlene
Feb 20, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Hi Rico,
I was loking through your site today and stumbled on this post from January. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the tip on NVU. I am trying to rebuild my website for my business and I needed and authoring tool. I like the tool. I am still working on the site, but I believe I will have my site back up by next week with a fresh look hosted by b5!!
Rico
Feb 22, 2007 at 12:22 am
You welcome Darlene! Leave a link when your site is ready for public viewing. ;)
» Links for 26-02-2007 » Velcro City Tourist Board » Blog Archive
Feb 25, 2007 at 8:25 pm
[…] 5 - Free Programs for Freelancers “There are lots of free programs out there that actually suit your needs. We freelancers usually don’t have big budgets for software, especially when we’re starting out. Luckily here are some free alternatives…” (tags: tools worker creative freelance software free) […]
Contract Worker - Wet Floor Look 101
Apr 20, 2007 at 9:23 am
[…] inverting it vertically, and making it fade by applying a gradient on top of it. Easy-as-pie in Photoshop and GIMP. Even if it isn’t, the tutorial’s step-by-step account will prove easy to […]
Be The Ultimate Artist at Low Cost With Open Source
Aug 14, 2007 at 8:00 am
[…] to get quality work done with essentially free applications. In this case, he talks about how GIMP and Inkscape forms “a considerable combo against Photoshop.” I challenge you to create a logo as […]
Copyrighting Pictures the Right Way
Feb 23, 2008 at 3:21 am
[…] use a photo-editing program like GIMP or Photoshop to place the copyright line (make sure to turn off font-smoothing for the desired […]
Inkscape Tutorials to Help Wean You Off Adobe Illustrator
Jul 17, 2008 at 10:30 am
[…] mentioned before, Inkscape is a good, free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. Yet some time is needed to adapt to the significantly different interface, and the reality that […]
A Seventh Easy Way Freelancers Can Save Money
Jul 30, 2008 at 9:40 am
[…] Say Hello To Open Source (see Free Programs for Freelancers) […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: