69 Reasons Why You Don’t Need Microsoft Anymore
Should you get rid of Microsoft once and for all? Without having the right alternatives, it can be hard to say yes.
The problem is that with Microsoft as the dominant force in the computer world, you need top notch resources in order to get by without their software and still work at the same level. Trying to find credible and reliable software is the number one concern anyone should have when making such a huge shift.
Fortunately, the decision doesn’t necessarily have to be a hard one. If you’re sitting on the fence about whether or not to cut Microsoft technology out completely, here are 69 reasons—software applications, server products, system tools, and entertainment tech alternatives, that can help you decide on a Microsoft-free life
Microsoft Technology |
Alternative Technology |
What It Does |
Operating System |
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Windows |
Fedora |
Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that showcases the latest in free and open source software. |
Server Products |
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Azure Services Platform |
Amazon Web Services |
Use whichever programming models you need with this collection of internet based computing platforms. No upfront payments or commitments needed for the service. |
Google App Engine |
Google App Engine gives you a platform for building and hosting web based apps with Python 2.5. Sign up for a free account and get up to 500MB of storage and bandwidth for 5 million page views a month. |
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Exchange Server Product |
An affordable mail server software solution for small to medium businesses. Features include mailing lists, content filtering, multiple domain support and flexible administration. |
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Office Communications Server
2007 |
Lotus Sametime |
IBM calls it UC –integrated presence, IM, email, telephony, Web conferences, and optional audio/video. All work together and can be mashed up with almost anything. |
Microsoft Office Project
Server 2007 |
LiveProject Project Collaboration |
LiveProject Project Collaboration provides a great alternative to Microsoft Project Server. Start collaborating without the need for IT involvement and save on your budget. |
Microsoft Office Sharepoint
Server 2007 |
HyperOffice |
HyperOffice enables organizations to quickly deploy an easy to use Sharepoint-like portal server. |
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 |
MySQL |
MySQL is an incredibly popular free, open-source database server that runs efficiently with fewer resources. |
Microsoft Virtual Server 2005
R2 |
Vmware |
VMware, Inc. is a developer of virtualization software. VMware's desktop software runs directly on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X without the need for an underlying operating system. |
Designer & User Experience |
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Microsoft Silverlight |
Adobe Flash CS4 |
Adobe Flash is a great multimedia platform for adding animation and interactivity to web pages. Create animation, advertisements, or even rich Internet applications. |
Expression Web 2 |
Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 |
With first-rate site management tools, Dreamweaver makes it possible for even non-coders to create web pages and sites. |
Expression Blend 2 |
Axure RP Pro 5 |
This tool combines the best of Visio and web design tools. Create wireframes, prototypes and specifications for applications and web sites by dragging and dropping controls onto a palette. |
Expression Design 2 |
Adobe Illustrator CS4 |
Adobe Illustrator CS4 software is a comprehensive vector graphics environment ideal for any and all creative professionals. |
Expression Media 2 |
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 |
Lightroom is designed specifically for professional and advanced amateur photographers. Spend less time organizing images and more time on perfecting them. |
Expression Encoder 2 |
Squeeze 5 |
With Sorenson Media’s compression and encoding software, you can select, pre-process, and compress video for output in a variety of formats and publish directly to websites or burn to DVD. |
Developer Tools |
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Microsoft Visual Studio |
CodeGear |
CodeGear is a wholly-owned division of Embarcadero Technologies. CodeGear develops software development tools such as the Delphi IDE, the programming language Delphi, and the database server InterBase. |
Business Software |
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Microsoft Dynamics |
SAP |
SAP provides companies with the products, services and solutions needed to improve how you manage your business. |
Microsoft Small Business
Server |
Novell Open Workgroup Suite Small Business Edition |
The Novell Open Workgroup Suite Small Business Edition is a Linux-based desktop-to-server solution that’s flexible, reliable and cost efficient. |
Educational Software |
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Encarta |
Encyclopedia Britannica |
One of the finest reference sources ever created. All 32 volumes of the printed Encyclopedia Britannica, created from over 230 years of research is now in one handy program. |
Microsoft Money Plus |
GnuCash |
Although based on professional accounting principles this software is easy to use, powerful and flexible. GnuCash allows you to track bank accounts, stocks, income and expenses. |
Windows Live OneCare |
McAfee Total Protection |
Some features of McAfee Total Protection include anti-virus, anti-spyware, web security, desktop firewall, network access control and more. All components are managed from a single web-based console. |
Microsoft Streets and Trips |
Google Maps |
Google Maps is a free web mapping service application provided by Google. It offers street maps, a route planner for bicycles and cars, and an urban business locator for countries around the world. |
Windows Home Server |
AirPort Extreme |
AirPort Extreme is the perfect wireless solution for home, school, and business. |
Google Sky |
Google Sky is a virtual planetarium that is a part of the Google Earth software. Explore the cosmos right in front of your own PC. |
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MacIntosh Products |
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Word:mac 2008 |
Pages ‘09 |
Pages is both a streamlined word processor and an easy-to-use page layout tool. |
Excel: mac 2008 |
Numbers ‘09 |
Numbers is a spreadsheet application developed by Apple Inc. as part of the iWork productivity suite alongside Keynote and Pages. |
PowerPoint: Mac 2008 |
Keynote’09 |
Keynote is the presentation application component of the iWork productivity suite. |
NeoOffice |
NeoOffice is a reasonably stable version of the OpenOffice.org office suite that has been engineered to run natively on Mac OS X. |
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Microsoft Entourage |
This combination of Apple Mail, Apple Address Book and Apple iCal applications will give you a great alternative to Microsoft Entourage. |
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Messenger:mac 7 |
Adium |
Adium is an efficient multi-protocol instant messaging application that connects instantly to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo and several other IM clients. |
Vine Server (OSXvnc) |
Vine Server (OSXvnc) is a robust, full-featured VNC server for MacOS X. It allows VNC clients to remotely view or control the machine. |
|
Expression Media 2 for Mac |
Aperture |
Aperture is a software program for Mac OS X designed for professional photographers doing post-production work. |
Office Suites |
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MS Access 2007 |
Kexi 2007.1 |
If you’re on Linux or MS Windows, Kexi is an easy to use application for designing and implementing databases. |
Excel 2007 |
Calc |
Calc is an excellent alternative spreadsheet program. You’ll find a comprehensive range of advanced functions comparable to MS Excel. |
Abykus |
Abykus 2.0 is another easy to use spreadsheet program, but designed for both business and scientific applications. |
|
Groove 2007 |
Collaber |
Keeping your data secure, Collaber brings a Virtual Office Environment to your team to share files, events, tasks, manage projects and get the work done. |
InfoPath 2007 |
FreeForm |
FreeForm is an open source, business form management system, which allows you to design and fill rich script-enabled forms. |
OneNote 2007 |
Evernote |
Evernote allows you to easily capture information in any environment. Access it any time and anywhere. |
Outlook 2007 |
Thunderbird 2 |
One of the most popular open source email clients used by millions, Thunderbird lets you bring your email accounts, newsgroup and feed reading in a familiar high-productivity environment. |
PowerPoint 2007 |
Impress |
Impress is a great tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. Make your presentations stand out with 2D and 3D clip art, special effects, animation, and high-impact drawing tools. |
Design presentations that stand out with 3-D and Animation Effects. With the fully loaded Harvard Graphics Advanced Presentation program you can deliver the impact you want. |
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Project 2007 |
Open Workbench |
Open Workbench is an open source alternative to Microsoft Project. This desktop application gives you the project scheduling and management functionality you need. |
Publisher 2007 |
PagePlus X3 |
With PagePlus X3 anyone can create, publish and share high quality designs as printed documents, stylish websites and eye-catching emails. |
SharePoint 2007 |
Exten XLS |
If you need a standards-based Open Source document automation system without vendor lock-in, E360 offers an extensible and feature-rich web spreadsheet and CMS system. |
Visio 2007 |
ConceptDraw PRO |
With ConceptDraw PRO, a business and technical diagramming application, you can design professional-looking graphics, diagrams, flowcharts, floor plans and much more in minutes with ConceptDraw PRO. |
Word 2007 |
Writer |
Writer has every word processing function you would expect from a fully equipped word processor or desktop publisher. |
Web Browser |
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Internet Explorer |
Firefox |
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite. |
Pidgin |
Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log in to accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. |
|
Windows Live Mail |
Webmail (a Thunderbird extension) |
The Webmail extension integrates web site based email accounts in to Mozilla Thunderbird, which allows Thunderbird to download and to send emails using the web site. |
IrFanView |
IrfanView is the ultimate freeware graphic viewer that has support for a long list of formats. |
|
Windows Movie Maker |
Avidemux |
Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks you can easily automate. Supports numerous file types, including AVI, DVD compatible MPEG files. |
Windows Tools & Accessories |
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Calculator |
DME Calculator |
The DME calculator is an advanced calculator. Make calculations with a PC or solve more complex problems without the need for a bloated spreadsheet program. |
Character Map |
PopChar |
PopChar is a utility application that lets you insert characters from all installed fonts into your documents. |
Paint |
Paint.NET |
Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software that features an intuitive user interface with support for layers, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. |
Notepad |
Notepad ++ |
Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. |
Sound Recorder |
Audacity |
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. Available for Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. |
Remote Desktop |
CrossLoop |
Simplify the process of securely working with friends located in different locations. CrossLoop easily lets you see the screen and control the mouse and keyboard on a remote computer. |
Remote Assistance |
UltraVNC |
UltraVNC is a free application that lets you work on a remote computer. Perfect for accessing your client’s computers and resolving helpdesk issues quickly. |
Media Player |
iTunes |
The popular iTunes media player application lets you play and organize digital music and video files while acting as an administrative interface to the contents on your iPod or iPhone. |
Disk Cleanup |
CleanUp! |
CleanUp easily removes temporary web files, empties the Recycle Bin, deletes files from your temporary folders and more. Simultaneously free up disk space and protect your privacy on the Internet. |
Run Command |
Launchy |
Launchy is a free utility designed to let you bypass the start menu. The application indexes the programs in your start menu launches your documents, project files, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes. |
Disk Defragmenter |
Disk Defrag |
Auslogics Disk Defrag is designed for optimizing modern hard disks for free. Use it with Auslogics BoostSpeed to get the top performance out of your expensive hardware. |
Add/Remove Programs |
Revo Uninstaller |
This powerful uninstaller attempts to remove all traces of a program when uninstalling it. |
Start Menu |
ViStart |
Cut down the time you take to search for programs by indexing their shortcuts with ViStart. To boot, ViStart not only indexes programs but files as well. |
Firewall |
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Windows Firewall |
Comodo Firewall |
A great multi-layered security application to protect your computer from inbound and outbound attacks. Protect your files and block viruses easily and for free with Comodo Firewall. |
Entertainment (Software) |
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Xbox Live |
XBConnect |
XBConnect will let you play Microsoft Xbox/360 games and Sony PSP games with players from around the world. No expensive online gaming services needed. |
Microsoft Songsmith |
GarageBand ‘09 |
Learn to play an instrument, write music, or record a song with GarageBand. This app is a Mac-sized practice space and recording studio in one. |
Game Console |
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Xbox |
Nintendo Wii |
Released by Nintendo, the Wii home video game console is known for its characteristic wireless controller making it more interactive than any other game console on the market. |
Mobile Device Software |
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Windows
Mobile |
Winterface |
Winterface is the Next Generation Shell for Windows Mobile comprising the options of a launcher, a task manager, and multitude of Today plug-ins. |
As you can tell, the more software options you have, the better. Just by using a few of the software applications listed above, you can start weaning yourself off of Microsoft technology slowly, but surely--and right now.
So ask yourself a question: Armed with a long list of cost-cutting quality alternatives, do you still need Microsoft?