Google Chrome Extensions

Many pundits are impressed with Google's Chrome browser. Until now it has lacked "extensions" ,the handy add-on programs that are a major attraction of Firefox. Now there are over 400 extensions that work specifically with Chrome.

Zoomquilt : Coolest Screensaver

Screen savers are not as popular as they once were, but this one is special. A series of Hieronymus Bosch-like images zoom in sequentially, creating a series of surrealistic panoramas.

Fotoflexer

FotoFlexer is an online digital photo editing service. It attempts to bring professional grade photo editing suites online for those without access to professionals or expensive software such as Photoshop.

Many Eyes

Many Eyes is a web-based IBM project to facilitate data analysis by enabling anyone to create data visualizations.

ManicTime Free Computer Usage Monitor

With ManicTime you can keep track of how much time you spend on each program or activity that you use on your workstation. Great tool to see whether Word of Warcraft has in fact taken over your life. Free download.

Convert PDF to Word

Adobe PDF files can be annoying because there is no way to edit them. However there are programs that will convert them to editable Word documents. SmartSoft Free PDF to Word Converter installs on your own machine. PDF to Word on the other hand is a Web 2 program. You send your PDF file by email and it is sent back as a Word document.

Free Screen Capture Program

Screen capture software tends to be either inconvenient or pricey. PrtScn is both free and quite fully featured. It can capture rectangles or freehand selection. Images can be sent to email, print or clipboard. Annotations can be place over the capture.

Free Mind Mapping and Concept Mapping Software

Mind maps and concept maps are diagrams graphically showing relationships between ideas or other pieces of information. Mind maps and concept maps are related but not identical. "A Mind map reflects what you think about a single topic, which can focus group brainstorming. A Concept map can be a map, a system view, of a real (abstract) system or set of concepts. Concept maps are more free form, as multiple hubs and clusters can be created, unlike mindmaps which fix on a single conceptual center." (attribution)

Free Mind Mapping Software
Bubbl.us (Web 2.0; no client download required)
Compendium (has some attributes of Concept Mapping)
XMIND (maps can be exported to Word and PowerPoint)
FreeMind

Free Concept Mapping Software
Cmap

Zoho Writer : a Free Alternative to MS Word

There are several web-based MS Word wannabes available. Some experts believe Zoho Writer comes closest to the tools and features of the Microsoft product. Plus it has all the advantages of Web 2.0 cloud computing; online storage and access from any computer and easy multi-user collaboration on a single document. Read a review of Zoho Writer and other free Zoho applications.

MagCloud : Create and Publish Your Own Magazine

Hewlett-Packard has just introduced MagCloud a service that lets you create and publish your own glossy, coloured magazine that can then be printed for only 20 cents per page. First you create your magazine using an application like MS Word or Publisher. Then you upload to HP. The magazine can then be ordered by anyone online at a price of your choosing. See an overview article.

Ubit Menu

If you are not keen about the arrangement of features or the look of MS Office 2007, UbitMenu adds a tab that lets you use the traditional Office 2003 layout and switch back and forth to Office 2007.

Create Flowcharts, Organizational Charts and Sitemaps

Lovely Charts is Web 2 freeware that creates various types of charts with drop and drag simplicity.

PagePlus SE : Free Desktop Publishing

If you need to produce a brochure, newsletter, poster or some other publishing project, PagePlus SE is an excellent free, downloadable alternative to Microsoft Publisher. There are good ready-made templates for projects and very helpful tutorials if one is new to desktop publishing. The professional version can be downloaded for US $9.99.

AVG Free Virus Protection Software

You can pay a considerable amount of money for anti-virus software, most of which requires you to purchase new virus profiles annually. However if you require normal, basic virus protection, there are good free alternatives. AVG Anti-Virus is well regarded, as is Avast.

280 Slides

280 Slides is a free web-based presentation creator that mimics PowerPoint. There are "themes" available and you can embed graphics and video. It can save projects as both PowerPoint and PDF files. Best of all you can upload presentations to the "cloud" application Slideshare for downloading anywhere. No more relying on computers that have PowerPoint installed, and no more problems with different versions of PowerPoint.

Backing Up Your Data Online

To avoid the disaster of lost files because of a hard drive crash, theft of a laptop etc. we should all have backup protocols. Unfortunately many of us do not. A painless way to backup your data on an internet connected computer is to use an online service. These do programmable automatic backups to a remote server. Usually you can store up to 2 gb free and pay for extra if you need it.
Two recommended services are iDrive and Mozy

Scribus; Free Page Layout Software

Sometimes you need to create a complicated document that MS Word can't handle well or at all; for example a newsletter or complex brochure. You can use Publisher or Pagemaker, both expensive, or download the free Scribus.