should i use free programs to save money

**Rich** · 03-05-2009, 02:40 PM

when i need to buy a new program for something like making banner links or uploading and changing the size of pictures i use i will look for free programs to do what i want do you think this is a good way of saving money or do you think i am better going with purchased software to do this type of stuff?

**DrChango** · 03-05-2009, 02:56 PM

it might be a case of getting what you pay for (like toilet paper and legal advice)

**Bill** · 03-05-2009, 04:59 PM

At your stage Rich it probably makes sense. It's what I would do.

I've never tried resizing pics with something like gimp, tho.

There are however programs that are worth buying. Arles, for me, for example.

**cezam** · 03-05-2009, 05:17 PM

Depends on what software you need. For some commercial software you will find quality free alternatives, for others you won't.

For batch resizing/croping photos take a look at Xnview - it might be just what you need and its free
http://www.xnview.com/en/xnview.html

For uploading pics via ftp/sftp try filezilla - also free and works great for me
http://filezilla-project.org/

For the graphic work (banners, designs etc.) - nothing can beat Photoshop in my opinion so I bought it, but you might give GIMP a try
http://www.gimp.org/

**derekt** · 03-08-2009, 08:54 PM

GIMP is a great program. AEBN uses this and they passed the info onto us.

Now with free programs vs paid software... Nearly every software out there that I have found offers a free trial, in many cases a 30 day trial. Use it. Use it. Use it. Even if you don't need it right now, use it. Mess around with it. Use that trial to the max. And you will know if your going to use it or not.

In this industry, here's the programs we use:
Photoshop 7.0
Gimp - Free
Roxio Easy Media Creator 10
Sony Vegas Pro
Easy Thumbnails (Mass Image Resizing)
Dreamweaver
Gif Animator
Core FTP

These are the main software programs we use and in many cases the only software programs we use.

Photoshop, this copy was given to us by our business collegues.
Roxio - This is a $100 program.
GifAnimator - I am pretty sure we got it for free.
Core FTP - This is a free program
Easy Thumbnails - Free
Gimp - Free
Dreamweaver - Our designer gave us his license.
Sony Vegas - We started out with the $100 shelf product at Circuit City.

For about $1,000 you will have products that can last a liftetime. Many of these software programs have been in use since day 1 of our operations.

Just some advice. If your just starting out... I suggest start off with free versions then build up.

**Lee** · 03-14-2009, 12:16 AM

Absolutely, if you can find a free program that will do what you need then go for it, no point in spending thousands of dollars on software if you can legally get a program for free to do the same thing.

Regards,

Lee