GitHub is the Best Place for Free and Open Source Software – How-To Geek
GitHub is the Best Place for Free and Open Source Software How-To Geek
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Best free Adobe Illustrator alternatives of 2024 – TechRadar
Looking for the best free Adobe Illustrator alternatives? Whether you're avoiding the Creative Cloud subscriptions or you don't like the software, we've compared the top-rated apps to replace Adobe Illustrator in your workflow.
Our team of expert reviewers have tested out all the best graphic design software and best digital art and drawing software, so we know what to look out for when choosing an alternative to Illustrator. For us, the open-source Inkscape is the best free Adobe Illustrator alternative for most people, particularly professional and semi-professional artists and designers.
But there are plenty more options to choose from - and these are our top picks.As part of our review process, we compared design tools, assets, workflows, and experiences to find the top alternatives to Illustrator for creating icons, logos, diagrams, charts, posters and website graphics.
Didnt click with Photoshop and Lightroom? Weve also tested the best Photoshop alternatives and the best Adobe Lightroom alternatives.
A feature-packed editor that's a true substitute for Illustrator
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux
Comprehensive toolkit
Excellent format support
Frequent updates
Performance can be sluggish
Open source vector graphics package Inkscape is staggeringly powerful, and is the bestfree Adobe Illustrator alternative for pro and semi-pro illustrators, graphic designers and web designers.
As well as the standard drawing and shape tools, Inkscape boasts a special spirals tool, a tool to create patterns and arrangements of clones, advanced object manipulation options, multiple filters (including bevels, textures, overlays and more), and some nifty fill settings. In short, theres very little Illustrator can do that Inkscape cant.
Because it's open source, its not only free to use but if you have the technical know-how you can even edit it and incorporate it into other software. And new features are being added all the time; the latest version brings mesh gradients, improved SVG2 and CSS3 support and new path effects to the party.
So whats the catch? Some users have complained that it performs slowly, although that does seem to depend on what device and operating system youre using. The best thing to do is just download it and give it a quick try; there's nothing to lose.
Read our full Inkscape review.
A browser-based vector editor that's as powerful as a desktop app
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux (in browser)
Good format support
Convenient browser extension
Easy to use
Keyboard shortcuts
Streamline design might not be for everyone
Boxy SVG is a free tool for creating scalable vector graphic files that runs as an extension in Google Chrome. It comes with a good range of basic tools, including pens, bezier curves, text, basic shapes, stroke and fill, layers, ability to add type, groups, transforms and paths.
The main selling point for Boxy SVG is the utter simplicity of its UI. It makes a virtue of paring down the experience of creating vector graphics to a fairly minimal set of options. These essentially restrict you to the kind of things that the SVG format is good at. As a result, its fast, easier to pick up than Illustrator, and the files it creates are clean and efficient.
As well as importing and exporting files in SVG and SVGZ format, you can also use Boxy SVG to import and export JPEGs and PNGs. Wonderfully convenient.
A sharp looking in-browser Illustrator alternative for stylish designs
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux (in browser)
Nothing hidden behind a paywall
Good choice of vector elements
Simple to use
Requires a free account to save work
Vecteezy is another free in-browser Adobe Illustrator alternative (the developer earns a crust selling premium illustrations, and its customers include the BBC, Amazon, McDonald's and Dell). You can import and edit SVG files, or create your own designs from scratch. There's a selection of shapes and ready-made clipart to choose from, and a huge array of typefaces for text-based designs.
Vecteezy also includes a pen tool for drawing freehand shapes and editing existing paths, plus a simple color-picker. It's all refreshingly simple to use, and even brand new users will grasp the fundamentals within a few minutes.
There are just a couple of points to be aware of: you'll need to create an account or log in using Facebook in order to save your work, and if you open a particularly large file, Vecteezy warns you that doing so might cause your browser to freeze. This is a risk with any similar web app though, and we appreciate Vecteezy being so up-front about it.
A smart, slimline vector editor for your browser
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux (in browser)
Intuitive interface
Easy to master
Interactive tutorials
Lacks some advanced features
Vectr is a free in-browser Adobe Illustrator alternative. It was originally available as a desktop application for offline use as well, but this has now been discontinued.
Don't let that put you off, though; Vectr is intuitive to use, with a shallow learning curve. Design software shouldnt bring people a sense of struggle, yet thats exactly how the troublesome design software we grew up on made us feel, says its developer, who has created this pared-back vector editor with accessibility in mind.
While it lacks many of the advanced features of Illustrator, then, its got all the tools you need for basic vector editing - shapes, text, multiple layers and like - and what it does, it does very well. You can save all work you create in Vectr online, or export it in PNG, JPG, or SVG file formats. Vectr is a great choice for beginners, or just anyone needing to create a simple graphic with the minimum of fuss.
A straightforward Illustrator alternative for web developers
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux (in browser)
Works in your web browser
Clear interface
Vector and raster export formats
Fewer advanced tools than rivals
If your prime reason for wanting a vector graphics editor is to create SVG files for websites, then SVG-Edit may be all you need. You can use this free vector software within your web browser to create SVG images and edit existing ones.
SVG-Edit works in any modern browser, and offers a basic set of vector editing features including hand-drawing tools, shape tools, text tools and path tools. The tool is open source, which means that new features are being added all the time by contributing developers. Its built on HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript with no server-side functionality, so if you wish you can download and modify the code to make your own version.
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We put the question to Klaus Vossen, Senior Product Manager for CorelDraw . How to go about choosing the best graphics design software for to reach creative nirvana.
Heres what to look for:
1. Comprehensive tools to speed up your workflow When choosing design software, its important to decide on something that offers everything you need to express your creative vision all in one application. Look for a product that not only offers powerful tools for vector illustration, multi-page layout, and typography, but photo editing too.
2. High-quality bitmap-to-vector conversions Designers are often tasked with converting low-resolution bitmaps to vector images, making this a key feature to look for in your design software choice. Some applications use artificial intelligence to process a low-resolution bitmap image and turn it into a vector file which can then be scaled up to a much larger size without losing quality. This is arguably one of the most important tools youll need in professional graphics design, particularly if you work with large-scale printing.
3. Dependable color management If printing is a large part of what you do, youll want to make sure your software includes dependable color management tools so you dont end up with any unwanted surprises when your work comes back from the printer. When embarking on your vector illustration journey, take some time to understand color palettes, color proofing, and color profiles to make the best possible images. Professional-level color management can provide an accurate representation of color throughout the entire process.
4. Professional output format capabilities Professional output formats let you send images to printers and embroiders, or to share digital files with clients and colleagues. Choose a program that offers extensive file support to ensure you can use your files across multiple applications that may be part of your day-to-day work. If youre working with design files and building your brand, its worth investing time into vector graphic design, which has plenty of practical applications. Select a professional tool that can address all your graphics needs with a variety of output formats so you can work faster and smarter than ever before.
When testing the best Adobe Illustrator alternatives, we start by assessing what features the best free drawing software has in comparison to Adobe's premium tool.
We dive into UI design, making sure users can easily navigate through the apps and create the designs so vivid in their imaginations. Even the most advanced digital art tool should have clear documentation to guide users so they can master the tool.
We also assess what extra tools and features are available - or where restrictions or limitations are evident.
Finally, we make sure that free really means free. Users shouldn't face hidden charges or subscriptions - any fees and upgrades must be clearly signposted.
Read how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.
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Best free Adobe Illustrator alternatives of 2024 - TechRadar
This is how to view the long-established free software ‘CrystalDiskInfo’ that shows the health status and SMART … – GIGAZINE
Jun 23, 2024 18:00:00
Many people have had the experience of storing important data on storage devices such as HDDs and SSDs, only to have the HDD or SSD suddenly break down and lose all of the data. Of course, it is important to back up data on a regular basis, but it is also important to check the health of the storage device you are using as your main storage device. ' CrystalDiskInfo ' developed by
CrystalDiskInfo - Crystal Dew World [en] https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/
Visit the official CrystalDiskInfo page and click 'Download.'
The download links for each edition will be displayed, so this time click on the regular version 'ZIP (XP~)'.
You will be redirected to the SourceForge page, where a ZIP file download will automatically begin. At the time of writing, the latest version of CrystalDiskInfo is 9.3.1, and the ZIP file size is approximately 7.38MB.
Unzip the downloaded ZIP file using the standard Windows function or free software such as
When you start CrystalDiskInfo, it will show you information about the storage drives assigned to your PC. Below is the information for a Toshiba HDD connected to a PC I've been using for about 7 years.
The upper left corner displays 'health status' and 'temperature.' Health status is rated in four levels: 'normal,' 'caution,' 'abnormal,' and 'unknown.'
The items displayed on the upper right side are 'Firmware,' 'Serial Number,' 'Interface,' 'Supported Transfer Modes,' 'Drive Letter,' 'Supported Standards,' 'Supported Functions,' 'Buffer Size,' 'Rotation Speed,' 'Number of Power-Ons,' and 'Usage Time.' 'Rotation Speed' is the number of rotations per minute of the magnetic disk, and is only displayed for HDDs. 'Number of Power-Ons' and 'Usage Time' are the total number of times the storage has actually been used.
The SMART information is displayed at the bottom. Each item in the SMART information is displayed with an 'ID', 'item name', 'current value', 'worst value', 'threshold value', and 'raw value'. The 'ID' and item name are not necessarily the same for all HDDs, but will vary depending on the product and manufacturer. The current value is the value at the time of inspection, and the worst value is the lowest value ever. And the threshold value is the data below which it is determined that the HDD may be faulty. The raw value is the SMART information data displayed in hexadecimal.
Below is a CrystalDiskInfo test of the Samsung external SSD '
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This is how to view the long-established free software 'CrystalDiskInfo' that shows the health status and SMART ... - GIGAZINE
The best antivirus software 2024: Free and paid options – Tom’s Guide
The best antivirus software helps protect your Windows computers and the data stored on them against malware and other online threats. While Microsofts own Windows Defender may be good enough to keep your PC free from viruses, it cant match the extra features you get with paid antivirus software.
All of the Windows antivirus programs on this list have their own malware-detection engines. However, its the features and the included extras that help justify their higher price. Likewise, you can also get the best free antivirus software for your PC for a taste of what these paid antivirus programs offer.
These are the best antivirus programs weve tested and reviewed along with some free antivirus software options halfway down this page. If you want even more features like a VPN and password manager in one package, youre going to want to check out the best internet security suites. At the same time, you can also get Mac antivirus software and Android antivirus apps to keep your other devices safe online.
Best overall
The best antivirus overall
Norton 360 Deluxe combines excellent malware protection with loads of extra features like backup software, a password manager, a VPN and more. It can get expensive but you get everything together in one subscription.
Read more below
Best value
2. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
The best antivirus value
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus offers very good malware protection with lots of useful extra features like a password manager, Wi-Fi scanner, a hardened browser and more. It also has a light system impact during active scans for viruses.
Read more below
Best features
3. Kaspersky Total Security
The best antivirus for features
Kaspersky Total Security provides excellent malware protection with lots of useful features like a firewall, backup software, parental controls, a password manager and more. Its VPN is limited but software for your Mac as well as Android and iOS apps are also included with your subscription.
Read more below
Best for big families
The best antivirus for big families
McAfee has improved its malware protection over the years and it's a great choice if you want to protect lots of machines on a budget. It also includes a password manager as well as protection for multiple platforms.
Read more below
Best for banking
5. Trend Micro Maximum Security
The best antivirus for banking
Trend Micro has very good malware protection as well as a password manager and secure browser for banking. It also includes dark web scans and a VPN.
Read more below
Best performance
6. ESET Smart Security Premium
The best antivirus for performance
ESET provides very good protection with very little impact on system performance. It also includes file encryption, a password manager and parental controls.
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Best for simplicity
The best antivirus for simplicity
Sophos offers decent malware protection at an inexpensive price. It also encrypts keyboard data and includes parental controls as well as webcam protection.
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Almost everything you could ever need
Anti-theft: No
Backup software: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Game mode: Yes
Hardened browser: No
Parental controls: Yes
Password manager: Yes
Ransomware rollback: No
Webcam protection: Yes
VPN: Unlimited
Excellent malware protection
Parental controls, backup software, online storage, password manager, webcam protection, unlimited VPN
LifeLock identity protection with top tiers
Heavy slowdown during full scans
Can get expensive
All of Norton's antivirus products offer excellent malware protection, and the once-heavy system-performance load is much lighter. The number of extra features each program has varies, but the sweet spot in the lineup is Norton 360 Deluxe.
It includes a password manager that works on all major platforms, unlimited VPN service, dark-web personal-data monitoring, parental controls and up to 50 GB of online storage space. Two other offerings, Norton 360 Premium and Norton 360 Platinum, give you more online storage and expand the antivirus and VPN coverage to 10 and 20 devices, respectively.
If you want full-on identity protection, Norton offers three bundles with varying degrees of LifeLock service and even more online storage. Their subscription prices run well into the triple digits, but still cost less than if you were to buy the identity protection, password manager, cloud-backup storage and antivirus software separately.
Unlike some of the other best antivirus software makers, Norton doesn't offer a file shredder, file encryption or secure web browser with any of its products. Yet every other digital-protection service you could possibly ask for is included with at least some of its bundles.
Read our full Norton 360 Deluxe review.
The best value antivirus software currently available
Anti-theft: No
Backup software: No
Firewall: No
Game mode: Yes
Hardened browser: Yes
Parental controls: No
Password manager: Yes
Ransomware rollback: Yes
Webcam protection: No
Virtual keyboard: Yes
VPN: Limited upsell
Wi-Fi scanner: Yes
Very good malware protection
Lots of useful extra features
Light system impact with active scans
Heavy background system impact
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is our top choice among entry-level antivirus products. It has very good, if not perfect, malware-detection scores. Its active scans don't add much to the background system impact, but that background load is a bit heavy.
It also offers the most value, with a secure browser with a virtual keyboard, a Wi-Fi network scanner, a file shredder, protection against encrypting ransomware and Bitdefender's web-privacy software features often found only with pricier antivirus packages.
The midrange Bitdefender Internet Security adds parental controls, webcam protection and a two-way firewall, while Bitdefender Total Security tops off the lineup with an anti-theft feature for laptops, a system optimizer and licenses for Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac and Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android.
A fourth product, Bitdefender Premium Security, is basically Total Security with unlimited VPN usage, a cross-platform password manager and priority tech support.
But the best deal is the Bitdefender Family Pack, which puts Total Security on up to 15 devices for (a frequently discounted) $120 per year.
Read our full Bitdefender Antivirus Plus review.
Excellent protection with plenty of useful extra features
Anti-theft: Yes
Backup software: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Game mode: Yes
Hardened browser: Yes
Parental controls: Yes
Password manager: Yes
Ransomware rollback: Yes
Webcam protection: Yes
Virtual keyboard: Yes
VPN: Limited upsell
Wi-Fi scanner: Yes
Excellent malware protection
Stalkerware protection
Password manager, parental controls
Limited VPN usage
Microphone protection hard to enable
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The best antivirus software 2024: Free and paid options - Tom's Guide