Pro Freeware and Open Source Solutions for Business

Introduction

The first time I ever heard of free and open source software goes back to the early 2000s, when I first tried GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), a free photo editing alternative to Adobe Photoshop. At the time, I was a die-hard Photoshop user, so I dismissed it after about five minutes and never gave it any more thought. When I needed software for my business, I just drove to the nearest office supply store, found what I needed, and purchased it. In those days, I thought paid software was the only way to go (and I spent a lot). My views on that changed drastically a few short years later.

In early 2009, I was relaunching my business in a new city (my family and I relocated in late 2008). We had actually planned this move for ...