Free software tools for students

Once I have left the workplace I won't be able to rely on my companies software library for the latest tools to manage my work. The good news is that there are a wide variety of free and open source software tools available that can be used instead of your staple microsoft office suite. Here are some of the best:

Office tools

Open Office - a comprehnsive alternative to Microsoft office. It has familiar graphical user interfaces for users used to the ubiqutous microsoft office suite

Google Docs - Google docs is a light weight set office of office tools. It is perfect for when you need to access your information over the internet and store it in the cloud

Zoho - comprehensive online office toolset. This is a formidable contender to the tradional desktop office software suite.

Email

Google mail - excellent free email tool that allows you to easily search and label your email

Microsoft office live - free email tool

Project management tools

basecamp - manage your essays, group projects and presentations online. This excellent tool lets you collaborate online - perfect for group projects

ta-da list - from the makers of basecamp is this handy task tracking tool. Easily record outstanding tasks online.

Invoicing and accounts - lucky enough to be raising invoices whilst studying?

Blinksale - no nonsense invoice generation tool. Lets you email invoices direct to your clients

Freshbooks - a fuller online invoice and time tracker tool for managing billable hours.

Web browsers

Firefox - lots of free useful plugins available for this google sponsored internet browser

Opera - a simple, lightweight internet browser


So whether it is email, word processing or project collaboration there are a variety of completely free software tools available. Not only will they spare your bottom line, they could also improve your productivity during your studies!