Free, Online Solutions Can Be Great Options

We tend to spend a lot of money on technology, and for the most part, it's a worthwhile expense — to be without it in our online world is impossible at worst and impractical at best. So we pay a lot for computers, Internet service, software, etc. and chalk it up as a necessary evil.

But over the past few years, an online trend has found its way to world of online services and software. That trend is the bargain hunter's favorite word: free.

It's worth noting that with all things, you get what you pay for. There are some amazing free online solutions out there, but some have drawbacks compared with their pricier counterparts.

That said, here are a few free options you may not have considered during your adventures online.
Open Office (openoffice.org) — It's one solution to the increasingly expensive Microsoft Office suite. A big player in the open-source movement (which opens the software's code so that outside developers can add to or modify it, thus making it better), Open Office is finding an audience.
The word processor and spreadsheet editor are more than adequate (although the database and slideshow editors could use improvement). One great feature is the ability to save your files in any format, including the popular Office formats, so others using Microsoft products won't know the difference.

Photo storage — There are many great options for free online storage, and Flickr (flickr.com) and Photobucket (photobucket.com) are two of the most popular. A generous amount of storage space and bandwidth are given to free accounts, so you rarely have to worry about using more than your monthly allotment. If you are a huge shutterbug, most services offer an upgraded, unlimited account for a small fee.
Personally, my favorite photo-storage service is Radar (radar.net). Combining photo storage and social networking, Radar is intuitive and provides an easy way to upload photos from mobile devices. iPhone and Blackberry users also can use a great free app for the service.

Google Sketch-up (sketchup.google.com) — This new product from Google allows you to do simple 3-D modeling. If you're an architect or a big professional builder, you'll need more robust (and expensive) options, but for the common man, Sketch-up works just fine. Creating models for furniture, room decoration, patios and decks or just to have a little fun, the program allows you to test different ideas easily. It's worth spending some time on the site just to see some of the amazing designs others have made.

AVG Virus Scan (avg.com) — Virus-scan software can get expensive but is vital, and AVG is an excellent option to protect you computer without costing an arm and a leg. It updates itself, and you never have to worry about those pesky renewals that come from other, more well-known brands. AVG is excellent for personal and small-business use.

Adobe Photoshop Express (photoshop.com/express) — This is a scaled-down version of the popular Photoshop Elements. You can use this to organize and edit your files as well as create some basic special effects. It's a great option if your photo-editing needs are fairly basic.

The products above are a few of the most universally used and tested options. They are just a few examples — spend some time with a search for "Free Software" and you'll find lots of other choices.
The point is, although paying for high-quality software is sometimes necessary, it isn't always the best way to go. Good, free stuff is worth a try!

Dylan Biles is a moderator and bargain-hunter for DealTaker.com, an online shopping Web site owned by Media General. E-mail dylan@dealtaker.com or follow him on Twitter @dylanbiles