Opting Out of Microsoft Office

Microsoft is everywhere, and switching to a non-Microsoft OS can seem like a daunting task. But for those who are displeased with Microsoft -- citing constant upgrades, instability, attacks, and security holes -- switching is the only option.

Alternative Operating Systems

If you want to switch from Microsoft, the first thing that needs to go is the operating system. There are many choices here, including Linux, Fedora (also Linux), Mac OS X, and BSD, to name just a few.

One that many software developers like is the Linux system. This has a better performance than Microsoft and fewer programming glitches. Have a computer that died while using Windows, or doesn't run so well anymore? Try putting Linux on it instead. Linux will make your old computer hardware work well again. Best of all, Linux is free.

Mac OS X comes installed with all new Macs. It touts itself as “the most powerful operating system available.” With its elegant and easy-to-use design, many prefer this system. You can also share files with Windows users, so there is no need to worry about incompatibility with all the Microsoft users out there.

OpenBSD is a free operating system and one of the most secure in the world, having sustained only one remote hole in more than eight years. Developed by volunteers, it is well known in computer programming circles. Yahoo, for instance, runs on BSD.

Alternative Web Browsers

You will also need to choose a new web browser. The most touted is Firefox. It is free, stable, and not prone to crashing. Firefox also incorporates a number of useful features not found in Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE). Outside of IE, Firefox is the most popular of Internet browsers.

Alternative E-mail Clients

Hotmail isn't recommended by most software developers, due to its many security issues, including a notorious one that once allowed password-free access to accounts. Yahoo! mail is a good alternative, as is Gmail.

Rather than using Microsoft Outlook, which has a large number of virus concerns, try using a program like the free Mozilla Thunderbird.

By Margaret Dilloway