OpenSource Blog's

PDFs are a very common type of file for sending text and pictures to people. Sumatra PDF lets you read them easily, with a simple design that allows fast browsing and even faster loading times. It also remembers the last page of every PDF you read, so you can resume reading at any time in the future.

Extra Requirements:none
Version: 0.8
Suitability:All

Use PDFCreator to generate PDF documents directly from any Windows program. PDF (Portable Document Format) files are the standard documents used in electronic publishing, because you can be sure that a PDF will look the same on all computers. PDFs are becoming even more important in schools and universities with some courses only allowing you to hand in work in PDF format. PDFs can also be generated with commercial packages, but PDFCreator is by far the easiest and cheapest option (free). Once installed, simply select 'Print' from the File menu of your word processor or drawing program, and select 'PDFCreator Printer' from the list of printers. Click 'Save' and enter a name for your PDF output file. That's it!

Optionally, you may also enter information to identify the document, such as Title, Creation Date and Author. The Options dialogue lets you control the process in more detail. You can set the resolution and compression levels for the various file types, and control how fonts are included. Use the security feature to protect your document with a password. JPEG, PNG, Postscript (PS) and Encapsulated Postscript (EPS) output formats are also supported.

For the advanced user, PDFCreator is highly customizable, and offers a wide variety of options regarding document encoding, compression levels, and automated document conversion.

Extra Requirements:none
Version: 0.9.5
Suitability:11+

Dia is diagram software, it allows you to draws all sorts of technical drawings including flowcharts and circuit diagrams.

Technical diagrams are needed when doing work such as electronics and cooking. You may also have need to use a flow chart to show how you plan out how to solve a problem. For example what would you do to bake a cake? Dia can help you solve all these problems on a computer where you can correct mistakes and save your work. You can also place your diagrams into other programs like Writer or Word.

Use Dia to solve technology class problems and plan out how you are going to do things!
Make sure you have installed the GTK+ Runtime Library already on your computer, clicking on the link below will tell you. Once you have installed that, click the install icon to the right to start the installation.

Extra Requirements:GTK+
Version: 0.96.1
Suitability:All

FreeMind is a mind mapping program which lets you collect your ideas in an easy to understand way with text, colours and pictures.

A mind map is a drawing used to show words, ideas, tasks or other things. Everything is written around a word or idea in the middle. This word or idea is the main topic of the mind map, and the things around it are linked to the main idea. It is used to store and order ideas, and is very useful for study, ordering your things, solving problems, planning, and making choices. FreeMind lets you do all this on your computer and is really good for planning essays or projects.

Use FreeMind to plan your school work or even make your birthday present list!
Make sure you have the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed, A copy can be downloaded from Sun Microsystems. Once you have done this, click on the install icon top right.

Extra Requirements:Java Runtime Environment
Version: 0.9.0 -BETA version
Suitability:All

GanttProject is a useful tool to help you plan your projects like a professional. A gantt chart is a quick and easy way to plan large projects by splitting them into lots of little tasks and seeing how all the tasks work with each other. You can give some time to each little task and keep track of how you are doing until you complete the entire project. GanttProject allows you to plan your projects to the smallest detail all on a computer so you can save, change and print everything you do. You can even work with commercial software like Microsoft Project as GanttProject can open files made with it and GanttProject has many of the features that Microsoft Project does.
Use GanttProject to plan your projects or even your jobs to do at home!

Extra Requirements:Java Runtime Environment
Version: 2.0.6
Suitability:11+

Scribus is a professional desktop publishing application with a selection of "press-ready" templates. Scribus includes powerful tools for making professional documents like those you would see on the shelf of a newspaper shop.

Scribus supports thousands of languages including right to left text such as Arabic and Hebrew. Scribus supports professional formats so you can open documents from other programs and save to programs like Word and Publisher. Examples of Scribus uses include writing small newspapers, brochures, newsletters, posters and even books.

Scribus depends on the GDI+ library which is included in Windows XP. If your version of Windows does not include this library, it can be downloaded from here. Click on the install logo top right to get started.

Extra Requirements:GDI+ library
Version: 1.3.9
Suitability:11+

Do you want the ability to run Microsoft Office documents at home for free? OpenOffice lets you open and save to Microsoft formats, and offers a range of programs with similar features to those found in Microsoft Office.

OpenOffice.org is a full-featured office suite including:

* Writer - word processor and web page editor
* Calc - spreadsheet package
* Impress - Presentation software
* Draw - Design program
* Base - Database
* Math - Mathematical equation writer

The word processor, Writer, is suitable for making professional documents, reports, newsletters and brochures. A powerful spreadsheet called Calc contains complex tools for calculation, data analysis and visualisation, its built-in charting tools are able to make customisable 2D and 3D charts. The presentation utility, Impress, uses effects, animation and drawing tools to help you create great multimedia slide shows to present the way you want to. Use the Draw component to produce either simple diagrams or complex 3D pictures and special effects for use in documents and presentations. The database tool, Base, give you all the tools you need for day to day database work in a simple spreadsheet-like form.

OpenOffice.org is becoming the office suite of choice in education, government, and business. The OpenOffice.org website contains tutorials, manuals and many other tools to help you create professional documents.
Click the install icon to the right to start the installation process. You will be asked a series of questions about the components you wish to install and the program location on your computer. The default choices are generally fine. You will also be prompted to select or install a Java Runtime Environment (JRE). This is an optional component which extends the functionality of OpenOffice.org in some areas. A copy can be downloaded from Sun Microsystems. You can also select whether OpenOffice.org should open Microsoft Office documents by default.

Extra Requirements:Java Runtime Environment (optional)
Version: 2.4.0
Suitability:All