Topic outline

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  General

  Free tools and software to install and use at home and elsewhere

  This section of our Virtual Learning Environment will provide you with links and resources to download software which can help you use ICT at home. If you use Microsoft Office at school you can use similar tools for free at home.

  Links on this page are to software, which you need to download and install, and online services, which you use through your web browser.

  Note that depending on the filtering policy in place at school, access to some of these links may be restricted, although if you have access to the internet at home you will almost certainly be able to download and use these resources there. If you are preparing work on an online service outside of school make sure it's accessible from inside school or you won't be able to access your work!

  • Important downloads

    Some online tools and programs below require plugins or additions for your computer. Use the links below to install them:

  • Install the Flash Player here URL
  • Install Java here URL
  • Install Acrobat Reader here URL
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  Topic 1

  Office Packages

  "Office" packages typically contain Word Processing, Spreadsheet and Presentation software in a package similar to Microsoft's Office software.

  • OpenOffice.org Office Suite URL
  • How to set OpenOffice to save in MS Office formats by default URL
  • NeoOffice (for Mac OS X) URL
  • Google Documents URL
  • gOffice online Office suite URL
  • ThinkFree online Office suite URL
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  Topic 2

  Word processing

  Software and services which are similar to Microsoft Word - remember a word processor is included in the OpenOffice.org office suite and Google Documents.

  • Zoho Writer URL
  • AbiWord URL
  • Jarte URL
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  Topic 3

  Spreadsheets

  Links to software and services similar to Microsoft Excel - remember a spreadsheet package is included in the OpenOffice.org office suite and Google Documents.

  • Zoho Sheets URL
  • EditGrid URL
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  Topic 4

  Presentations

  Links to software and online services offering similar functionality to Microsoft PowerPoint - remember a presentation package is included in the OpenOffice.org office suite.

  • Zoho Show URL
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  Topic 5

  Graphics & Image/Photograph Creation and Editing

  Software and online services which allow you to edit photographs, create new images and diagrams and manage collections of images.

  • Irfanview image editing software URL
  • The GIMP - Photoshop replacement URL
  • GimpShop - a more "Photoshop-like" version of The GIMP URL
  • Serif PhotoPlus URL
  • Serif DrawPlus URL
  • Serif 3DPlus URL
  • Google's Picasa URL
  • Litha Paint URL
  • Cumulate Draw URL
  • Inkscape URL
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  Topic 6

  PDF Creation

  These tools will allow you to create PDF files, normally by printing a document to a file. Note that the OpenOffice.org Office suite, Google Documents and the gOffice online Office suite (among others) all offer the ability to create PDF files directly.

  • PrimoPDF URL
  • Free PDF Online URL
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  Topic 7

  Desk Top Publishing

  Resources in this section will have similar functions to those offered by Microsoft Publisher.

  • Serif PagePlus SE URL
  • Scribus URL
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  Topic 8

  Web Page Design and Web Site Management

  Resources in this section will offer similar functions to those offered by Adobe's Dreamweaver and Microsoft's FrontPage. Some are hosted online, others are downloadable programs.

  • Serif WebPlus URL
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  Topic 9

  Brainstorming / Mind Mapping Tools

  These tools will allow you to create a variety of mind maps or "brainstorm" diagrams.

  • FreeMind URL
  • Minidomo URL
  • Mindmeister URL