1. The document discusses finding and evaluating free software alternatives, providing tips on questions to ask, where to find reviews, licenses and agreements, and safe download locations. 2. It recommends searching sites like Lifehacker, Download Squad, and TechCrunch to find free software and provides examples of free tools for tasks like photo editing, web pages, online storage, and screen sharing. 3. The document stresses the importance of ensuring any software meets needs and system requirements, reading licenses carefully, and only downloading from trusted sources.

1. Free software--Now what? Andrew Shuping ALA 2010 June 26, 2010 Jack Tarver Library, Mercer University

2. So what are we covering today? What questions do you need to ask? What software is out there? Finding reviews Licenses and agreements Where to download Some free tools to try Recap

3. Why free? http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/04/06/funny-pictures-bbc-budget-gets-slashed/

4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/80384851@N00/3253329127/

5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/19159109@N00/3103987824/

6. What questions do you need to ask? http://www.flickr.com/photos/26147864@N00/22489512/

7. What do you want to do? http://www.flickr.com/photos/stabilo-boss/93136022/

8. What should the program do? http://www.flickr.com/photos/46978810@N00/476798140/

9. Whose using it? http://www.flickr.com/photos/95492938@N00/3366736695/

10. Can your system handle it? http://www.flickr.com/photos/82971515@N00/384383735/

11. Free vs. Paid--what's the difference? http://www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/4260085365/

12. Good, mixed, or bad reviews? http://www.flickr.com/photos/16151021@N00/3737009212/

13. What's in the license agreement? http://www.flickr.com/photos/37996608105@N01/4312710350/

14. Is it safe to download? http://www.flickr.com/photos/49939383@N00/7939430/

15. Does free really meet your need? http://www.flickr.com/photos/10244704@N05/2353599436/

16. What do you need? Can install freely on multiple computers Runs on Windows XP, 1GB of memory, 40GB HD Can save in .png, .gif, etc. formats Supports graphic tablets Tools to crop, rotate, resize images, adjust colors, and create collages. Easy to use interface

17. Finding free software Search for a need Sites such as: Lifehacker Download Squad Techcrunch download.cnet.com MajorGeeks.com Gizmo's Listserves

18. Most important, colleagues http://www.flickr.com/photos/43017881@N00/3406657528/#

19. Library Society of the World (LSW)

20. Exploration http://www.flickr.com/photos/14185972@N00/2996817257/

21. http://www.flickr.com/photos/71325969@N00/2405179881/

22. The where and why of reviews Is the program easy to use? What are it's features? Does the program still have bugs to fix? How well does the program do what it's supposed to do? Are there other programs that might meet your needs?

23. Places to find reviews Sites such as: Lifehacker Download Squad Techcrunch download.cnet.com MajorGeeks.com Gizmo's Google! Yes, Google! Find out what bloggers say and think

24. Fear http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/2788648775/

25. Licenses and agreements 1st I am not an expert in this, but...some questions to ask What are the limitations? What does it require you to do? What do you give up? What's the privacy? Have someone else read it

26. The good... http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2005/11/now-legalese-rootkit-sony-bmgs-eula

27. The bad... http://www.pcpitstop.com/spycheck/eula.asp

28. The ugly... http://clusty.com/censorship (taken 6/22/10)

29. What do you need? Paint.net GIMP Pixlr Adobe Photoshop Corel Draw Can install freely on multiple computers x Runs on Windows XP, 1GB of memory, 40GB HD x Can save in .png, .gif, etc. formats x Supports graphic tablets Tools to crop, rotate, resize images, adjust colors, and create collages. x Easy to use interface

30. Download the software Be careful where you download as not every site is safe. Some software maybe malware in disguise or infected with viruses. Download from trusted sites. Some places to try: Sourceforge Download.cnet.com Softpedia.com MajorGeeks

31. Play ! http://www.flickr.com/photos/57617841@N00/842383871/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/38246638@N00/3248964671/

32. http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035583134@N01/2698947622/

33. Conference Sessions-- Wiggio It has multiple features including: Calendar which can import from Google, Yahoo, etc Folders for uploading files or creating a document Can have a virtual meeting, conference call, or chat Virtual has tools such as whiteboard, screen sharing, etc. can only have 10 participants Polls Send messages thru e-mail, sms, sticky note, voice note Check out the FAQ for all that it offers

34. Networking-- card.ly Easy to use Simple interface Cheap social streaming Easy to embed and share People can contact you through the sites services Different themes, although some themes are pay for

35. Photo editing-- FotoFlexer Edit photos from other social networks and save to other sites Can share edited photos easily Multiple effects, animations, flashy stickers and other add ons Flash based Can handle layers Check the privacy and terms of service policy before using

36. Free webpages-- Weebly.com Free hosting with no limit on bandwidth Easy to use drop and drag editing 70+ templates or design your own NO ADVERTISING! Publish on own domain name If you can imagine it, you can do it with them (sell products, forums, slideshares, etc.)

37. Online Storage/backup--- ADrive 50GB of Free storage Java based upload (does prevent using browser window while uploading) Any file can be uploaded or downloaded Built in PDF reader with now downloads More storage can be purchased Does not autosync for the free account

38. Screen Sharing-- Screencast-O-Matic You can upload to YouTube or export movie (MP4, avi, flv) Easy to use Java based You can add more after accidentally stopping recording (no editing features though) You choose screen capture size Free is limited to 15 minutes and there is a watermark Pro Account one time $5 fee for 1 hour of recording and no water mark basic editing and more features coming

39. Text Messaging-- Google Voice Web based platform Transcriptions of transactions Able to block numbers Route multiple numbers into one number Pick a number from any area code (within Google's directory) Easy to use

40. Other-- Aviary Flash Based Multiple tools including screen capture and audio editing Images stored on their servers Has layers Import from other sites (Facebook, Flickr, etc.) Active forum Check FAQ closely for information on images and privacy

41. Productivity-- drop.io 100 MB of free storage Password protection and flexible expiration settings The ability to store and share images, documents, video, audio, and other digital content Realtime Chat and File Sharing Also feature present.io as a way to share presentations during real time. Participant sees everything the presenter does Also features phone.io for creating simple conference calls and voice mails

42. Google Documents--Forms Different styles and templates to meet different needs The link can be shared and embedded You don't need a Google Account to fill in form Responses are put into a Google Spreadsheet which can be shared with others No limit on responses Does NOT have statistical analysis like SurveyMonkey, everything has to be done by hand

43. All else fails... Alternative to Web based search to discover alternatives Provides reviews Can limit by OS or online Mix of online and downloadable software Mix of free and pay for Can filter by type of license

44. Other tools to try Conference Sessions TinyUrl Chat rooms DimDim Free Conference calls Vyew Twiddla Networking Ceevee VisualCV Productivity EasyPlanner PDF to word Webpages without RSS Remember the Milk Lovely Charts Photo Editing PhotoShop Picnik FotoFlexer Sumo Paint Aviary Phoenix

45. Other tools to try pt. 2 Free Webpages Roxer Dinky Page Online Storage Backupify Screen Sharing zscreen ScreenToaster ScreenCastle ScreenPreso SMS text messaging Poll Everywhere Other Liber Key--portable aps Openwith PortableApps Survs Zamzar.com

46. Recap Pick a software that meets your needs Check to make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements to run the programs. Remember when downloading software to your computer make sure, you can trust the site. Examine the license! Play! Make sure the software will fit your need.

47. Questions? http://www.flickr.com/photos/76283035@N00/1507585665/

48. Thank you! I can be found at: ashuping.net [email_address] Link for the presentation will be located on my blog