Tip: use Open Source or Freeware software whenever you can

Sites like OSalt.org can help you find Open Source alternatives to commercial software, saving you hundreds and even thousands of dollars on the cost of software.

A few examples of free programs that I use include:


Firefox - a highly flexible web browser by Mozilla

Open Office - word processor and PDF converter

Audacity - a free sound mixer for music

GIMP - image manipulation program, Open Source and very nice

Thunderbird - Mozilla's e-mail program

Y-Writer - free to use (NOT Open Source) writing program from SpaceJock.com. VERY NICE!

There are a lot more programs than I have the time to list, so just look around and if you can't find what you're looking for drop a comment here and I'll see if I can figure out where there is a comparable free use program. Check out the programs that Space Jock has available, he has a lot of free to use programs on his site alone.