Comments on: I’m Going In. (Freedom, Yeah!) http://www.movingtofreedom.org/2007/05/30/packing-my-free-software-bags/ free software, free culture, free association Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:28:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.11 by: Scott Carpenter http://www.movingtofreedom.org/2007/05/30/packing-my-free-software-bags/#comment-2302 Thu, 31 May 2007 21:08:39 +0000 http://www.movingtofreedom.org/2007/05/30/packing-my-free-software-bags/#comment-2302 Thanks, Randy. I was thinking also about how much faster things will go this way. I use MS Money a lot, but my requirements are pretty simplistic also. I don't even do online banking with it. (I do use the reporting functions quite a bit.) I'm hoping GnuCash will do the job for me. I didn't get the sense that I would get the reports I wanted in GnuCash, but will need to experiment. I know somebody else who was going to try Moneydance, and now this is the third reference I've seen to it. It looks interesting. I'd have to decide if using any proprietary software is consistent with my beliefs and goals. (For personal use. For work, I've already accepted that I will use proprietary software to make a living. At least for now!) I wouldn't mind paying for Moneydance, but will I be ok with not being able to just give it to anyone in turn? It's not as plain for me as "all proprietary software is bad," but I do believe that published information should be free, so I'm not sure I want to buy software where I don't receive the basic freedoms. I think if there is a free alternative, I will do my best to make that work. I've considered Wine for the short term. I still might try that out of curiosity, and if it is fairly easy to set myself up with Money and Excel, I can see using it during the transition. Thanks again for reading and for your comment. I appreciate the advice and encouragement. Thanks, Randy. I was thinking also about how much faster things will go this way.

I use MS Money a lot, but my requirements are pretty simplistic also. I don’t even do online banking with it. (I do use the reporting functions quite a bit.)

I’m hoping GnuCash will do the job for me. I didn’t get the sense that I would get the reports I wanted in GnuCash, but will need to experiment.

I know somebody else who was going to try Moneydance, and now this is the third reference I’ve seen to it. It looks interesting. I’d have to decide if using any proprietary software is consistent with my beliefs and goals. (For personal use. For work, I’ve already accepted that I will use proprietary software to make a living. At least for now!) I wouldn’t mind paying for Moneydance, but will I be ok with not being able to just give it to anyone in turn? It’s not as plain for me as “all proprietary software is bad,” but I do believe that published information should be free, so I’m not sure I want to buy software where I don’t receive the basic freedoms. I think if there is a free alternative, I will do my best to make that work.

I’ve considered Wine for the short term. I still might try that out of curiosity, and if it is fairly easy to set myself up with Money and Excel, I can see using it during the transition.

Thanks again for reading and for your comment. I appreciate the advice and encouragement.

]]> by: Randy http://www.movingtofreedom.org/2007/05/30/packing-my-free-software-bags/#comment-2299 Thu, 31 May 2007 13:45:43 +0000 http://www.movingtofreedom.org/2007/05/30/packing-my-free-software-bags/#comment-2299 Congratulations! That "letting go" is probably the hardest step for most folks. You'll find that your knowledge will increase exponentially as you immerse yourself, though, so don't worry too much. For those little things holding you back -- there are some really good alternatives. Microsoft Money: Take a look at Moneydance (http://www.moneydance.com). I've used it for several years, and like it better than Money (but my needs are pretty simple. Online banking and a lot of reports, with addons available. You can, of course, always try GnuCash, but I've never warmed up to it. Excel macros: There is a lot of work being done to make VBA macros port to OpenOffice.org Calc. I'm not sure if the version Ubuntu distributes has that capability enabled, but I'm told it works pretty well. Of course, you could always install wine and install Excel in your Linux environment.. There are always alternatives! Good luck! Congratulations! That “letting go” is probably the hardest step for most folks. You’ll find that your knowledge will increase exponentially as you immerse yourself, though, so don’t worry too much.

For those little things holding you back — there are some really good alternatives.

Microsoft Money: Take a look at Moneydance (http://www.moneydance.com). I’ve used it for several years, and like it better than Money (but my needs are pretty simple. Online banking and a lot of reports, with addons available. You can, of course, always try GnuCash, but I’ve never warmed up to it.

Excel macros: There is a lot of work being done to make VBA macros port to OpenOffice.org Calc. I’m not sure if the version Ubuntu distributes has that capability enabled, but I’m told it works pretty well. Of course, you could always install wine and install Excel in your Linux environment..

There are always alternatives! Good luck!

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