Links to Useful Tools and Resources

This is a list of links to free software and other services and resources I think are worth at least a look. I’ve researched them and downloaded many of these for my own use. Always be careful though when downloading things, make sure you virus scan them before you install them and check out what other people are saying first. Softpedia is a good site to find reviews and user opinions.

I’ll be reviewing a few of the ones I find useful in time.

I am quite a free software fan in many ways, mostly due to current financial situations, but also because I don’t agree with the elitism that goes with some of the expensive versions which can cost hundreds of pounds and because some of the free alternatives are better and easier to use.

Digital art tools

Communication

  • Skype (phone) FREE/PAID
  • Barablu (phone) FREE
  • Vyew Free online project collaboration, meetings… FREE/PAID
  • Pidgin Free IM Client that supports many IM accounts at once. FREE

Planning

  • Free Mind Mind Mapping and planning, brain storming etc…. FREE
  • Graphviz Graph visualization. FREE
  • Task Coach Free Desktop project and task tracking utility. FREE
  • Side job track Web-based job tracking, invoicing, reporting & project management software. FREE

Education

  • Stellarium open source planetarium for your computer. FREE
  • Word Web dictionary/thesaurus tool. FREE/ and PAID version available.

Other handy tools

  • Notepad ++ replacement for notepad with more features for coding use. FREE
  • Kompozer Complete web authoring system. FREE
  • Dropsend (send big files to people). FREE/PAID
  • Audacity (sound edit and recorder). FREE
  • Cam Studio (record videos). FREE
  • VCL Media Player (dvd and media player). FREE
  • FileZilla (ftp transfer tool). FREE
  • Open Office (desktop publishing). FREE
  • Portable Apps portable USB office tools. FREE
  • 7 Zip a file archiver with a high compression ratio. FREE
  • Wink Tutorial and Presentation creation software. FREE

Printing

  • Moo (printer of business cards and other things) PAID SERVICE
  • Photo Box (General printing needs) PAID SERVICE

Web Hosting

  • Artery Planet (use them myself, very good service) PAID SERVICE