Free software for schools, students & parents
Open Office
Similar to Microsoft Office, Open Office can open all Office files and save files as office files. Works very similar to office, better in most opinions!
Google Documents
Google Docs is online free software. Create files online and share documents with friends & colleagues. You will need to sign up for a Google account. Includes a version of PowerPoint, Word & Excel.
Scratch
Free games design software. Easy to use with plenty of tutorials and examples. Software produced by MIT for schools, used by students in junior and well as senior school.
Stick Man Pivot
Free animation software. Animate a stick man or two - make them dance!
GIMP (GUI Image Manipulation Program)
Free graphic design software. Similar to Adobe PhotoShop or Fireworks. Very good, and free!
Google Sketchup
Free 3D design software. Originally designed for creating buildings for Google Earth.
Google Earth
Free 3D map software. Fly around the world... See your house, plan your holiday!
Audacity
Free sound manipulation and recording software.
Adobe Reader
Download Acrobat Reader for free to view PDF files
Firefox
Firefox is a very good alternative to Internet explorer, some say the only browser!
Cute PDF
Create PDFs from most documents, creates the PDF during the print process. Cute PDF
Paint.NET
It's the grown up version of Paint, has layers and most tools required apart from the polygon lasso tool. Good software if you don't get on with The GIMP.
Inkscape
Vector graphic software similar to CorelDraw.
Nvu
Web design software.
http://www.download.com/Nvu/
Pencil
Animation software
Lets you create simple cartoons/ animation. You can use both bitmap and vector graphics. Windows, OSX and linux.
http://www.les-stooges.org/
Scribus
DTP package. Create flyers, posters and other document.
Tuxpaint
A drawing package for KS1 and KS2. It's simple and fun.
Abiword
A free word processing package similar to Word
Dia Diagramming software
For drawing diagrams such as flow diagrams and floor plans.
http://dia-installer.de/index_
Mozilla SunBird
A different calendar. For those who want a change from Outlook.
http://www.mozilla.org/
PDF Creator
Create PDF files that you can publish.
TrueCrypt
Protect your sensitive data
Clamwin
Windows anti virus software.
Winpooch
Anti-sypware software. Stop pepole spying on your computer.
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