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There
is no reason to limit
yourself to using the
software that happened to
be included when you
bought your computer. Those
are not the
“only” programs
available, nor are they the
“best” or even
the “optimim”
programs available. Often
they are just a simple
“LE” or
“SE” version, or
have limited features, or
are just trial versions with
nags to upgrade to a paid
version, or have embedded
ads.
Similar
programs from other
companies often have more
features, or work better, or
have better support, and
often cost (much) less than
upgrading the pre-installed
software.
I
use the items marked with a
* in my office or for other
purposes. The rest of the
items are suggested
alternatives. Click the
graphic for more information.
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*
PagePlus
by Serif
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PagePlus 11
is a most excellent Desk Top Publishing (DTP) program that quickly and easily produces simple to complex, and single or multiple page, paper documents, and can create a PDF output. It also can convert your paper document into a web site, or you can create a web site from scratch with its WYSIWYG interface. Limited in features for web sites, but still very capable, and costs a lot less than many other similar programs.
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* Alpha 5
by AlphaSoftware
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Alpha 5 Relational Database
is a GUI driven database application to easily create unique databases, generate reports, and more. Available in both a Windows and a DOS version.
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*Jaws PDF Creator
by JAWS Software.
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JawsPDFCreator
is a professional-level “printing” utility that will create an Adobe Acrobat compatable PDF file from nearly any file created in nearly any program. The PDF file can then be opened and read with the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This program is considerably lower in cost than Adobe’s Acrobat. This is an excellent way to get your printed paper brochures, booklets, flyers, etc., onto the internet for your site visitors to download.
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* Adobe Reader
by Adobe
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A
free
program from Adobe that allows you to open and read documents that are in PDF format. This is the program that people would use to view your printed materials that had been converted into PEF format by the JAWS PDF program listed above.
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* OpenOffice
by OpenOffice.org
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OpenOffice
is a product of the “Open Source Project”. It contains a suite of office productivity tools like a word processor, graphics program, and more. This is a
free
program that contains most of what is in Sun Microsystem’s Star Office.
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Star Office
by Sun Microsystems
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From the Sun Microsystems web site:
Star Office
is an alternative in office productivity suites that runs on multiple operating systems. The office suite has a simple, easy-to-use interface and contains full-featured applications including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics and database capabilities.
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Ability Office
by Ability Software
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From the Ability web site:
“
Ability Office
offers you a powerful word processor with Table support; a sophisticated multi-sheet spreadsheet; an outstanding MS Access-compatible relational database with unique, user-friendly querying; and, uniquely to Standard Office Suites, an Adobe PhotoShop-compatible photo-editor. Four distinct but fully integrated modules in a single personal productivity suite.”
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602PC Suite
by Software 602
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From the Software 602 web site:
Alternative
to Microsoft®
Office compatible
with Word/Excel
files! The suite is
composed of four
full-featured
applications: a word
processor,
spreadsheet,
graphics editor and
digital photo
organizer. 602PC
SUITE uses the same
document formats
(.DOC & .XLS) as
Microsoft®
Office and has the
same look and feel.
Maintain
compatibility and
save a fortune!
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* JetAudio Multimedia Player
by JetAudio
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Tired
of the way Real Player
or Windows Media Player
“take over”
your computer, or how
they try to “phone
home”?
JetAudio
is a multimedia player
that can replace Real,
QT, and WMP players, and
is very “computer
friendly”.
Available in a free and a paid version.
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Bulk Mail Sorting and
Address barcoding software
by Postage $aver
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If
you are going to be
sending a lot of postal
mail, then you might get
a price break on postage
by using sorting and
barcoding software.
From the Postage $aver web site:
Postage $aver
sorts your mailing list in postal bulk mail order, prints the postage statement (Windows OS only), rate qualification report, and barcoded tray/sack tags, calculates all postage amounts and discounts (including nonprofit rates), and prints step-by-step packaging & traying instructions.
Now
you can create
postal barcodes
without hassle!
Secret Barcoder Ring
postal barcode
software creates
three different
types of barcodes
used on bulk mail,
business reply mail,
and tray and sack
tags.
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* Post-it Software Notes
by 3M
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Post-it Software Notes
are to your computer monitor what those little yellow sticky notes are to your paper documents. Click on the icon in the Windows system tray to create a blank note, type in your note, then “stick” the note to your computer’s desktop, or to a “memo board”.
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revised: May 21, 2006
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