Stop paying for software. A world full of high–quality software is out there that you don’t have to spend a dime for. If you’ve just spent your entire computing budget on a PC only to find that you need software to do anything interesting, this is the book that will show you how to get what you need without wreaking havoc on your finances. Install the right software to make a great work computer for no extra cost.

Packed with the practical, hands–on guidance and technical know–how that you’ve come to expect from Apress, Don’t Spend A Dime: The Path to Low–Cost Computing takes you on a tour of the very best zero–cost software in each of the many categories that matter to the typical PC user. Learn to edit photos on the Internet without having to install any software at all. Find out where to get a free office suite for word processing and spreadsheet work. Whatever your need, James Kelly, best–selling technology author, guides you through the exciting and often confusing world of zero–cost computing. This book

• Tells you what you need to install to have a fantastic work computer without spending a dime
• Saves you money by showing you how to meet your computing needs
• Saves you time by pointing you directly to the best free software
• Saves you work by illustrating the most commonly performed tasks with each zero–cost software
• Gives you choices and the ability to make your own decisions for your own needs and requirements

Before you go buy that $400.00 office suite—or worse, before you “borrow” it from work—stop! Let this book show you how to save hundreds of dollars in expensive software. Learn all about the free tools that the digerati use to make their lives better, and stop paying out the nose for software. Don’t spend a dime!

What you’ll learn

• Find and install the best zero–cost software available.
• Learn about software as a service and take advantage of photo editing, calendaring, e–mail, and other functionality delivered at no cost via the Web.
• Manage your money using the “Quicken killer”—a rock–solid, full–featured, zero–cost finance application that puts your finances in order with just a few clicks.
• Harness the power of OpenOffice and Google Apps for your word processing and spreadsheet (and presentation too!) needs.
• Communicate with your friends through zero–cost voice calls, e–mail, and instant messaging.
• Establish a presence on the Web through blogs and social networking sites such as Facebook.

Who this book is for

Don’t Spend a Dime: Never Pay for Software Again! is aimed at students, small–business owners, retirees, educators, and just plain regular folk who aren’t blessed with large budgets and who must squeeze a dime’s worth of value from every penny they earn. You might also be a computer genius who just wants a convenient list of all the best software and easy links to downloading all you need quickly.

Buy this book if

• You’re tired of spending hundreds of dollars on commercial software only to end up paying all over again as you get caught in the “upgrade treadmill.”
• You’re a computer whiz who has to set up other people’s machines.
• You are a student or retiree on a budget.
• You are a small–business owner needing the power of technology without the expense.
• You want to save money and have fun at the same time.