May 17, 2012

Cost Effective Alternatives to Business Productivity Programs

Andy Kastrup, ProTronics Technologies, Inc.Art Zemon, Hen’s Teeth NetworkBeth Richter, ProTronics Technologies, Inc.Jeff Arneson, JLJ TechnologyJohn Coleman, SocketKen Tucker, ChangeScape, Inc., Co-ChairMark Peimann, EPC Computers, Co-ChairRandy Downs, JLJ Technology, Archiving Valuable Assets

Chamber Member Companies working together to bring you the information on the technological topics that interest you and can benefit your business!

Sub-Committee

Facebook Events Check-in

WORK-ALIKE options, not look-alikeOptions for Office, including an Outlook

alternativeOptions for more specialized packages too

Design Applications

Will all run on Windows, Mac & Linux

Open Source AlternativesOpen Source Alternatives

Look at how you can do everything with Thunderbirdcompose and sendreceive and read emailfolders (remote and local)great searching/filteringmultiple accounts/personalitiesworks with any IMAP email server so same messages

visible in Thunderbird, on web, and on mobile devices

EmailEmail

Look at how the calendar is integrated into ThunderbirdNormal calendar functionsShared calendars work (demo with Art's & Candy's

calendars)Google Calendar backend for this demo. Could also be

a Microsoft Exchange Server or any of several other possibilities

works with pretty much any backend so same calendars visible in Thunderbird, on web, and on mobile devices

CalendarCalendar

Why 2 names?

File Formats

Export to PDF

OpenOffice & LibreOfficeOpenOffice & LibreOffice

Quick look at the programsWord ProcessorSpreadsheetDrawingPresentation

OpenOffice & LibreOfficeOpenOffice & LibreOffice

GimpInkscapeScribus

Open Source Design ApplicationsOpen Source Design Applications

GimpPhoto Editing ApplicationAlternative for Photoshophttp://www.gimp.org/downloads/

Open Source Design ApplicationsOpen Source Design Applications

Resolution Example Open Source Design ApplicationsOpen Source Design Applications

InkscapeVector Based ProgramAlternative for Adobe IllustratorWill open & edit PDF fileshttp://inkscape.org/download/

Open Source Design ApplicationsOpen Source Design Applications

ScribusFrame Based Design Layout ApplicationAlternative for Microsoft Publisher or

Adobe InDesignExport to PDFhttp://wiki.scribus.net/canvas/Download

Open Source Design ApplicationsOpen Source Design Applications

All products discussed today were FREE alternatives

Purchased price of comparison productsMicrosoft $350 - $ 500Adobe $ 600 - $ 2000

Cost ComparisonCost Comparison

Other costsRetraining

learning curve similar to switching from Office 2003 to Office 2007

Supportnarrower field of Tech help to choose from in person,

however, the online communities and forums are very helpful &

supportive (and often free advice)Main Cost Savings: Do It Yourself approach

Cost ComparisonCost Comparison

Upcoming EventsAfter Hours

Thursday, May 24 5-7 pmSponsored by the subcommittee companies

Uncle Joe’s Bar & Grill – 204 N Main St. – St. Charles

Linux Install PartyWednesday, May 30 3-5pm

City-County Library – Spencer Rd Branch, Rm 112

Next Month’s TechComm Online Collaboration & CarTech

May 17, 2012May 17, 2012

Presented by:Presented by:

Cost Effective Alternatives to Business Productivity Programs

Please fill out your survey & drop it in the box before you leave

In coordination with:In coordination with:Mark Peimann

Ken TuckerAndy KastrupBeth Richter

Art Zemon

Randy DownsJeff Arneson

Paul Barthel