QuickTips

Save Money with Free Open Source

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Open Source Initiative Logo
Open Source Initiative Logo

Free Open Source Software can save you a lot of money.

There’s a growing community of people developing and using Open Source Software. They call it “free as in freedom.” This means that you’re free to use it how you please, without forced updates, and you can configure it to work with your unique process.

Additionally, Free Open Source also means free as in no financial cost. This sounds too good to be true. Why would any business give away software that others profit?

Open Source is Good Business

Proving the success of this business style is Raleigh’s Fortune 500 industry leader, Red Hat. They develop and offer a free alternative to Windows called the Linux Operating System. Red Hat pioneered the open-source business model by charging for quality service and giving away their software.

Because they are so successful Red Hat boasted nearly 3.5 Billion dollars revenue in 2019 with nearly half a billion in profit!

Good Software Should be Free for All

However not everyone is in it for the money, others volunteer with online communities making free software because they believe great tools should be available to all people.

Many of these are developed in a way that they run the same on Windows, MacOS, Linux, or any device, adding further benefits.

Quit paying monthly subscriptions or big licensing costs for your software tools now and you’ll save from $32-$100 per month per person.

Free Open Source Solutions

If you use commercial software there’s often a great Free Open Source solution waiting for you.

Save with these free open source solutions:

UseCommercial SoftwareFree Open Source AlternativeAvg Cost Paid/Saved
Image EditingAdobe PhotoshopGNU Image Manipulation Program
Krita		$21/mo
Vector Graphics DesignAdobe IllustratorInkscape$21/mo
Office (Word Processor, SpreadSheet, Presentations)Microsoft Office 365LibreOffice OpenOffice$5-$20/mo
Simple PDF EditingAdobe Acrobat Standard DCLibreOffice
Inkscape		$13-$15/mo
Email ClientMicrosoft OutlookThunderbird*Typically included with MS 365
Video, Voice, and Text ChatZoom; MS Teams; Slack ChatNextcloud Talk$7-20/mo
Video EditingAdobe Premier ProKdenLive
OpenShot		$21/mo
Publishing DesignerAdobe InDesignScribus$21/mo
Grand TotalLow: $32/moHigh: $100/mo
***NOTES: Prices are based on recent best estimates and are subject to change for commercial software, while free open source software will likely remain free. There are some valid reasons you may need to continue or begin using commercial software, depending on your organization’s needs. ***Nextcloud Talk is a part of Nextcloud which is free open source but you may need help setting up a server to use with it, we’d be glad to consult on an installation.

You may want help setting up a server to run software like Nextcloud. Perhaps you want to ask about other free open source solutions. Please contact us and we would be glad to consult with you on how you can host a server or help you find cost savings.

Oak City IT Blog

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IT work that actually works

IT work that actually works! We share all the best tips and tricks to tech in your organization. Also, posts show off our clients’ success stories which are ideas for how we can help you.

Modern computing technology requires a wide breadth and depth of knowledge. Thus we’re not only comfortable sharing our tips and tricks we insist on empowering you.

Your goals are our goals

Many IT service providers stick to old processes to do their job. This might have worked at one point, but you have new needs today to adapt to an ever changing world. Consider asking a professional that’s more in tune to your needs than trying to reach a quota on their ticketing system. To give you IT work that actually works for you we listen to your needs and goals first then apply our vast knowledge to the best solution for you.

Need something faster? Got a tight budget to work with? Need the best in class solutions? Our loyalty is solely to our clients. Trust us to not railroad you into a solution that fits our needs and forgets yours. Instead we will take your goals and consult with you on the best way to reach them.

Think global; act local

We have experience working with clients all over the world, but we like to focus on organizations in the greater Raleigh North Carolina area. We live here and we like figuratively and literally seeing eye to eye in person. If your Internet connection goes down, you don’t want to have to wait on service from someone in another time zone to try to fix it. You need help now. We look forward to earning your trust with the services you need and there’s no better way than to provide knowledgeable timely help in person!

    Contact us for a free quote

    Quick Tips: Security on the Web

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    Secure Websites with SSL and HTTPS

    SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a standard protocol for ensuring that your data is encrypted and securely shared with only the people you trust.

    • Get better SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and traffic when you use SSL/HTTPS!
    • Customers and web visitors will trust you more.
    • Check your website’s SSL/HTTPS here: https://www.whynopadlock.com/
    • You and everyone you work or live with should start requesting a proper httpS address and connection for all websites that you use, it’s safer for you and helps everyone online!

    Quick Tips: Password Generation

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     Password Generation

    It is best to use a passphrase with multiple common words, letters, numbers, and symbols that is easy for you to remember. Data security expert Edward Snowden recommends using a phrase like: “MargaretThatcherIsAlways120%Sexy” <-Obviously without the quotes and it’s important to note that you should make up your own, not using this nor using words from a known book, movie quote, or song lyrics. Many hackers and their tools know to try phrases from common cultural works like songs or books.

    Quick Tips: RansomWare and Simple Security

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    Definition | RansomWare : software that is designed to encrypt (basically garble) your files and data with a password that only the malicious hackers know, holding your computer “hostage” while they name a price for you to pay to have the password and decrypt/re-access your own files.

    You’ve probably seen the reports of the WannaCry hack and those that have recently been hitting companies all over the world like Merck, Maersk, Ukrainian ATM’s (Cash Machines), and Chernobyl’s Nuclear Power Plant.

    Most ransomware attacks are simple enough to evade with some preparation:

    1. Never work with the hackers, always assume that the people hacking your computer have a malicious intent and be especially wary of those who offer you a fix to a computer problem they could have given to you in the first place. Find someone local that you can trust, whether it’s me or your local IT staff.
    2. Backup important data today. It’s much cheaper to purchase an external hard drive and setup a backup now than having to deal with a multitude of problems later.
    3. Do regular backups after the initial one, you can set up weekly, monthly, or what ever frequency works for you.
    4. Once you have your backups, there’s no reason to panic. Some systems can take a while to re-install from that backup, but it’s an easy process and it puts you back in control of your data and computers even if something seemingly catastrophic like a ransomware attack happens. Best of all, a good plan and backups can resolve many other problems like accidentally deleting important files, or even unexpected threats.

    Backups are a great defense against many computer problems, if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

    Quick Tips: Windows Security

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    Taking a break from work? Gone for lunch? Try this quick tip on your Windows PC’s to increase you and your company’s security.

    Hold the Windows Key and Press “L”

    + L

    This will Lock your computer while you are away and anyone trying to access it remotely or in person will need your password to log back in. Do this when ever you leave your Windows PC. Added bonus: It keep those annoying cube-mates of yours from playing pranks on your PC!