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- admirabumblebee, on 10/12/2007, -21/+114Huh?
Only two applications on that list, firefox and openoffice even come CLOSE to being equivalents. If you think for a second that gimp is anything like photoshop, or illustrator is on the same level as inkscape then you are delusional. I use gimp and inkscape daily and would consider myself a power user, and am a beginner in adobe software and can STILL get more done in adobe products than any "alternative".
Kino is nowhere NEAR premier, though cinelerra is a good option it requires a very specialized system and quite a bit of time to get running properly. They offer no support for their product either.
Winamp is a horrible comparison for windows as well as wmp11 and itunes (both free) easily offer more features and functionality than amarok,rythmbox or banshee.
The video player thing is retarded as well since VLC works just as well on any system. Quicktime pro on mac with proper codecs is also quite nice.
I can see where someone who uses the absolute most BASIC features and functions of the left collumn may think these are good options, but if you really use the software (you know for actual work) then you would quickly realize the alternatives are not nearly as positive as one would think. - schoate09, on 10/12/2007, -15/+103Because I run commercial Photoshop, Video Editing software, and many more commercial apps that aren't close to replaced by the "Free GNU Version"
- EnderTheThird, on 10/12/2007, -6/+75There are definitely some great free OSS alternatives out there (I don't like the term "replacements" that the submitter used, [edit: because they do more than replace those programs]). Also remember that with some of these OSS applications, there is improved and/or increased functionality when compared to the commercially available application. The best example of this would be Amarok. Amarok can fetch song information, album covers, and lyrics all from within the program itself, which is something I've never seen in other audio player applications.
There is a ton of great software out there that is available to people for free. All they need is the initiative to get away from their comfortable commercial applications and actually try it out! - corevette, on 10/12/2007, -11/+69i admit...the free replacements listed are pretty damn good....
but it's pretty hard replacing games with free ones - EnderTheThird, on 10/12/2007, -6/+58Anyone else remember when Nero was actually usable?
It was a long time ago, I know. But I think it all went to hell right around the time they added Nero Express and all that other crap that ruined plain old vanilla Nero. - GawtMilk, on 10/12/2007, -10/+54This is the year of Linux! We've taken away 1% of Window's market share! Just another 90 years left!
- OmniMe, on 10/12/2007, -3/+42RIAA
- aldenhg, on 10/12/2007, -4/+39The GIMP and Inkscape simply are not replacements for Photoshop and Illustrator. They don't offer the same level of functionality, especially for someone who is used to the Adobe programs. Don't get me wrong - I run Ubuntu 80% of the time, booting into Windows only to use the afore mentioned programs. The GIMP is still too clunky and Inkscape has an interface so wildly different then the standard for other vector-based graphics programs that it is essentially useless to me, though not for lack of trying.
OSS is awesome and great, but at the moment there are a few notable exceptions where proprietary software wins by a huge margin. - maninblac1, on 10/12/2007, -14/+41The answer is simple, because the risks of getting caught don't outweigh the pain in the ass it is to use OSS, on OSS.
- estvir, on 10/12/2007, -8/+33> But then Microsoft would have to admit that Vista is crackable...
They never said it WAS 'uncrackable' -- that's just rubbish made up by people like YOU. - weyhan, on 10/12/2007, -15/+39GIMP != Photoshop
GIMP ~= Photoshop Elements
GIMP !!!!!= PHOTOSHOP && !!!!!= PHOTOSHOP CS && !!!!!= PHOTOSHOP CS2 && !!!!!= PHOTOSHOP CS3
Besides, what's so illegal about using FREE commercial software? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23For many people it doesn't matter whether it's commercial or OSS, we'll just use the best tool for the job. Given a preference, I'll absolutely use OSS over commercial, but when the OSS solution doesn't measure up, I won't use it; simple.
- SVPirate, on 10/12/2007, -6/+26... because for some things there's open source, for everything else there's Mastercard...
But seriously, I use OSS where I can stand the app (OpenOffice Write, FireFox/Thunderbird etc.), and pay for what I think is worth paying for. Use GIMP instead of Photoshop and Calc instead of Excel? No frickin thanks...
It helps that I use a Mac which is part OSS and easy to develop for as that allows more small-time projects to blossom, and there are some truly excellent independent Mac developers, but also a lot of OSS ports for OS X are hacky and hard to work with. - d3vmax, on 10/12/2007, -4/+23You don't get the same thrill..
Arrrrrr! - Jesty, on 10/12/2007, -4/+22Who the hell uses Kazaa anymore?
- Julolidine, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18Nothing gets people fired up like OS wars. Its just a system, calm down guys. Do whatever works for you.
I use windows, OSX and Gentoo on a daily basis. Functionally they are all borderline equivalent. It just depends what you need it to do, and how much time you're willing to spend learning things.
I agree GIMP is a piss-poor alternative for Photoshop. However, slowly but surely Linux catches up on particular commercial applications. - halik, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21Huge flame bait / ad trolling article. There is a HANDFUL of open source apps that can replace their commercial counterparts. And please GIMP is virtually useless compared to the adobe suite.
- grayapple, on 10/12/2007, -9/+252007 shall be *the year of linux*, like 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was :-D!
Linux 4TW! - Phocion55, on 10/12/2007, -6/+22Translation: I've never used Linux before, but do, however live in my mother's basement.
- GawtMilk, on 10/12/2007, -10/+24But Windows has programs like FireFox and OpenOffice, too. If we've got lot's of Windows or Mac-only programs we like, why should we swtich? I've got a streamlined workflow using Dreamweaver, Flash, InDesign and Photoshop for design work. And no, GIMP won't cut it (I've tried it out, not at all impressed). I've also got games that won't work (even with WINE emulation) on Linux. My Windows experience is a good experience. Why should I switch?
- cdmarcus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14Steamy, file compatibility is not an indicator of whether something is a replacement of something else. I think the OOo guys have done a damn good job of reverse-engineering the format.
- melat0nin, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Nobody is bashing commercial applications, for *****'s sake. There just happens to be a host of alternatives, which for the vast population, do exactly what is required. Photoshop and AutoCAD etc are amazing programs and deserve to be purchased and lauded upon for their incredible power, but for most people that power isn't necessary, and free (in both senses) alternatives are perfectly adequate.
Seems to me like the article is just for useful info, and isn't intended as an anti-proprietary software rant. - MrSarcasm, on 10/12/2007, -6/+16oss zealots can do no research and get dugg to +infinity
- KenOh, on 10/12/2007, -5/+14On the topic of open source games, don't forget Battle for Wesnoth, and awesome strat game that has come a long way over the years.
- XVampireX, on 10/12/2007, -5/+14And I commercially agree with you :)
- jamend, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13Nero Burning ROM is still there in Nero 7, and it hasn't changed much.
- chrispen, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11I'm with jamend, when using Nero I only use "Nero Burning ROM" and not the stupid Nero home thing. In my opinion Nero Burning ROM has no issues, the main burning program is just as good as when I first used it years ago.
- dacheetah, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10You realise Windows is older than Linux, and both have made leaps and bounds since the early versions. Sure Windows has market share, but both are fully functional modern operating systems... Some tasks are much better suited to Linux (why do you think the majority of websites are hosted on Linux machines) while other are better suited to Windows, even if it costs far too much...
- JQP123, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10"... a few hundred on software is neither here nor there when it allows your staff to do the job reliably and on time."
The bottom line: Software is cheap, people are expensive. Those who doesn't realize this have most likely never hired anyone. - SteveMax, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9@Admirabumblebee
You make some good points, but you pick on some wrong applications.
If you've ever used Amarok, you know it is the best in its class. WMP and iTunes are not even close to its functionality. Also, the point of the article is to point for free alternatives, no matter which OS. VLC/mplayer run in every OS and are free, so they are a great example for this list. Quicktime Pro runs only in Mac and Windows, and it's not free; so it does not qualify. - 8-bit, on 10/12/2007, -8/+16Yes indeed. There are just a couple things I miss from windows, like the classic media player(ok so just one hehe), but the gains outweigh the losses. I'd also like to point out that keb and gnomebaker are sooo much easier to figure out how to use over nero.
- Frost9999, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8What a strange set of opinions. I use commercial products like Photoshop and Lightroom to get work done. The lack of OSS replacements for these apps is well known and accepted but that doesn't make Photoshop for 'grown ups' and free software for 'kids'. If there were free open source apps I could use productively then I would happily switch to them and save a few hundred pounds worth of upgrades every couple of years but the Gimp is simply not good enough for my use and I don't know of anything that even starts to replace apps like Lightroom or Aperture.
- fallscrape, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Proper tool for the proper job.
I use ubuntu now on my server, my laptop and my desktop.
I have another laptop that runs XP.
For everything I need at home, I have ubuntu. for anything at the office I have windows. For anything game orientated I have the wii.
Never in all of the years since I started linux have I converted my desktop & laptops to linux until now. It is very useable for my level of knowledge of IT. If my girlfriend tries to use any of my kit, she gets confused and gives up. Except the wii, she loves the wii. - Xiata, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9As a lot of people above have mentioned, GIMP is in no way near what people need. And I shall expand upon that.
The UI for GIMP is absolutely terrible for a single monitor installation.
* Most control windows are square shaped. This is a *BIG* problem with GIMP. Screen real estate is extremely important to a graphic designer. I know the main complaint will be "Well, how will we show brush modes and such"-- find a better way, such as having a right click menu, a popup... ANYTHING is better than what it has right now.
* Who in the right mind thought it would be a good idea to put control options in the same dialog as the controls (paint, select, eraser, etc)? It makes it completely impossible for that dialog to be changed into a single vertical column of controls (as Photoshop CS3 allows). By having this control structure, on my system a total of an extra 1280x174 pixels have been wasted. (as PsCS3 has a single verticle column visible on both left and right side in my particular layout).
* Menusbars... why are there multiple different menubars on each control? Are you guys really trying to make things hard to find? This idea was absolutely terrible. Really. Two file menus? Why.
* Why is it that when another application is brought to the front, and then a gimp dialog is brought to the front, it does not bring the rest of the gimp dialogs to the front (in the same order it was in)? Better yet, why the hell does GIMP have 3+ taskbar entries? This makes it a real pain in the ass to move all of GIMP back to focus if you are multitasking. And don't bring that "multiple desktop" *****. You shouldn't rely on OS features to make up for application design mistakes.
* Why are there 5+ transform buttons? Why isn't this a type of menu button, or at least customizable so they could be a menu button if you did not want to waste dialog space? Having extra buttons that roughly do the same thing just makes things confusing.
I could go on for days... - OmniMe, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10If you need Photoshop or AutoCAD to do your job, chances are $600 is a drop in the bucket.
- riah, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Switching to linux is like taking the blue pill - might not be pretty at first, but then you're free and chillin with morpheus!!111
(I switched this year and I luvs it) - adc89, on 10/12/2007, -9/+14Because they usually aren't as good....
- Agret, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Can't wait til the RIAA goes after one of their own usernames :D
- foxhoundadmin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8most oss sucks, imho. sorry, but don't act like it's all noble or anything just because these people put their stuff out there for free. i mean, don't get me wrong. i think that's great. just don't give em any brownie points or something if what they make completely sucks.
btw, there are pleanty of closed-source alternatives, too, y'know? - melat0nin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6@migla
The GPL doesn't prevent software being commercial, it prevents it being proprietary. There is a difference. - coolguy07, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5This stuff is good to know. It's like some say these tools are not a total replacement for the originals but in a lot of cases it will get the job done just fine. It all depends on the complexity of the project your working on.
- sequethin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6What I've learned most in the comments for this and other stories like it is that Adobe owns the lives of many people. It's fascinating to me; I wish I could have such a great relationship with a company that owned my life. As of this moment I think maybe my internet service provider has me in a position where I can't live without them (and in a way I hate them for that), but other than that - I think I'm pretty free to use whatever software and/or hardware I want to. My photographer and designer friends' lives are completely owned by Adobe, and they love it. Their food and shelter and clothing and lifestyle is all made possible by Adobe, because if Adobe didn't make photoshop (or illustrator, etc) their lives would be over. If they decided not to upgrade to CS3 (or 4 or 5, etc) - they would stop making money because the new crop of students would know the latest Adobe software and take all the business.
I find it scary that one company can be so powerful. Microsoft had legal trouble because it was a monopoly, but Adobe owns the entire design (photo, graphics) industry and it's just... well.. good business I guess? I'm glad I don't have to worry about that affecting my life directly right now... although I do want to learn flash design.... oh well I guess I'm stuck afterall? - Hellmark, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Uhm, Blue Pills are used to keep people in the Matrix, and go on ignorantly. Red Pills are for freeing them.
- mtalon, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6::a) The software is available for free because nobody is interested in paying for it
Not entirely accurate. People donate to free software all the time. It's more the idea of how much is the software worth to the user.
::b) If everyone started using free software instead of commercial software, it will create
::tremendous need to maintain/enhance that software - which in turn would end up being
::passed on to the end user, essentially becoming commercial software. The laws of demand
::and supply will kick in
And here's where we differentiate free (as in beer) and free (as in speech). What you're saying is true of free cost software, assuming that the software -needs- maintainance and enhancement. We're so convinced these days that new = better that often we fail to notice that we aren't really using any of the new features. I digress though. Free open software can be updated and maintained by anyone. Support doesn't end just because some corporation says so. Supply/demand, as you so put it, kicks in and the software that shouldn't die stays alive. In that case, the cost of maintainance is less overall than the cost of a forced upgrade a la MS. - Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4As long as it gets the job done, I judge software by what it costs. If a feature or two seems misplaced on the menu list, I can cope.
I can appreciate the complexity that is Photoshop, but why so many people seem hung on Qucktime, which is intrusive, a resource hog, and difficult to divorce from its evil brother, iTunes, I cannot ascertain.
Please smarten-up this confused user. - Optic7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I'm surprised no one mentions Xara Xtreme as an open source alternative to Illustrator. Have you tried it out yet? I've heard that in certain ways, it's better than illustrator. http://www.xaraxtreme.org/ (I'm not connected to this project in any way - I'm just surprised why it never gets mentioned).
- speedyrev, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The title should start like this.
Why should the normal amateur home-user need to use....
I don't believe the writer ever intended for you to believe that these are replacements for the professional user. - Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4In practical terms, Windows can run as much free software as Linux can. Sure, there are just as many bad "me too" programs floating around, but when searching for the best or most recommended programs, one encounters more useful information (articles, digg entries, etc,) and less wierd comments and rude "RTFM" forum responses.
- KoderOne, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6I am working as a PrePress-Operator professionally with Adobe Applications.
GIMP, Inkscape and Scribus are powerful applications, yes, but they are far, far away from beeing an alternative for serious production. Sorry.
Gimp is lacking the important CMYK-Colormode, Scribus is missing some essential typographical features and Inkscape is just out of discussion compared to Illustrator or Freehand, even when compared to Corel Draw. If one from these 3 apps, I would say that Inkscape still needs the most work. Scribus is actually pretty cool and to some degree it can do more than QuarkXpress (like a reliable PDFX/-3-Export that REALLY works).
I like FOSS, but theres not a chance that one of these 3 Programs will be used from any responsible person in commercial print production in the near future. - Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Yah, my women's crazy about my Wii, too.
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