Free software for download and free online software

Software programs

In the old days software had to be installed and updated constantly, here is a list of software you can install on your computer at home for free so you can do the same thing!

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! Highly recommended

Scratch

Free games design software. Easy to use with plenty of tutorials and examples. Used at the college in ICT. Highly recommended. Here's the getting started page

GIMP (GUI Image Manipulation Program)

Free advanced graphic design software. Similar to Adobe PhotoShop or Fireworks. Very good, and free! Highly recommended. Tutorials to get you going

Paint.NET

Free simple graphic design software. Simple design software for beginners. This software uses layers and a few useful tools.

VLC media player

Free media player. This media player usually plays files that other media players can't play. A useful addition. Highly recommended

Google Sketchup

Free 3D design software. Originally designed for creating buildings for Google Earth. Used at the college in ICT / Graphics. Highly recommended. Video tutorials for Sketchup

Blender

Advanced 3D modelling software. Modelling software for modelling, rendering, animating etc.

Google building maker

Make buildings from photos provided by Google and see your building in Google Earth

Google Earth

Free 3D map software. Fly around the world... See your house, plan your holiday! Used at the college in Geography.

AudaCity

Free sound manipulation and recording software. Used at the college for OCR ICT. AudaCity will ask you for a LAME Encoder when you try to export your sound as an MP3, click here for a version of it.

MSWLogo

MSWLogo is used in ICT to practice programming skills. Guide the "turtle" around the screen using commands. Here is a ZIP file containing tutorial videos

Adobe Reader

Download Acrobat Reader for free to view PDF files

AVG

It's probably best to purchase anti virus software but if you need a free one...

K9 Web Protection

We believe children should be educated instead of restricted as a form of protection on the internet but if you really feel you need it here is some free Internet filtering and control solution for the home.

Online Programs

Nowadays there are free online programs you can use without installing any software, this is the future of software.

Some require you to sign up, some require you to sign up and offer membership so you can store your files with them. Some don't require you to sign up.

Firefox

Firefox is a very good alternative to Internet explorer Highly recommended

Other browsers

Safari - (Apple), Chrome (Google)

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. Sign up required. Highly recommended

Buzzword

Adobe's version of online Microsoft Word. Buzzword requires you to sign up. Takes a while to load initially.

SplashUp

Online photo editor. SplashUp does pretty much everything you need from photo editing - similar to PhotoShop or Fireworks. Sign up optional. Fairly quick load but not as fast as PIXLR (NOTE: you must disable your pop-up blocker for this to work) Highly recommended

PIXLR

Online photo editor, PIXLR deals mainly with photos, can do text but can't draw shapes or resize parts of images easily. Very quick loading No sign up offered.