At my old job, we did whatever it took to save the company money, and this ended up as extra cash in the employees’ pockets in the form of bonuses.  One way we saved thousands of dollars was to set up a Linux server, and kept our Windows 2003 server simply for file storage.  We installed open source software such as GIMP and Inkscape on ten workstations, and in the end, it saved us over $14,000 for the first year.

You could literally save over $7000 per new employee or software upgrades by utilizing open source software.  This isn’t including a Linux operating system.  I realize that it is difficult to integrate Linux into the mainstream operations of a business since few people know how to utilize it (or are simply afraid of it), but there is other software that could still save thousands for a company. 

In this economy, I would figure that companies would swoon over the idea of free software versus spending thousands of dollars.  If you are such a company or just an everyday computer user, then you should check out this excellent list of free software alternatives.

http://www.nothingbutsoftware.com/blog/2008/11/8-linux-apps-to-save-you-money/

I know the link above mentions that this is all Linux software, but many of these programs have Windows versions as well (Gimp, Blender, and OpenOffice are a few good examples).  I have personally tried most of the software in that list, and can say they are downright awesome.  The average person who uses Photoshop can find GIMP to be just as powerful, and free.  Now you don’t need to pirate…er…buy Photoshop if you’re doing basic to moderate photo editing.

Also, check out this rocking site:  http://www.osalt.com/

You can find free alternatives to almost any program out there, for both Windows and Linux alike.

Save a few bucks during these bad times — it may be good for your sanity.  Now to work on an open-source oil product…