Open Source

There is alot of fear around open source. I personally don't see what the paranoia is caused from. I'm personally more fearful of programs where I can't see the source code. Open source programs you can see exactly what they are doing.

Are you really sure that $800 word processor you purchased at Futureshop isn't scanning your harddrive attempting to credit card numbers. Likely, its a long shot, but after being in the software business a couple of years one thing is for certain... weird stuff makes it into the final builds of products that alot of people 'thought was removed' or 'should have never been there in the first place.' Famous last words eh?

There is a small sense of satisfaction with open source that other people have gone over the code with a fine tooth comb even if you don't have the skill to do so yourself. Generally, the people who do spend there time 'auditing' free software will scream very loud if they see something 'fishy' in there.

That being said, give some open source software a chance. The following website lists alot of applications that I currently use or have used in the past. Give one a shot, and you will be surprised. You might even ask the question, "hey, why is this one free and the commerical one $500?"

http://www.opensourcewindows.org/