Hi Everybody,
I am trying to start using more and more open source software as against using high coast software such as Microsoft Office etc etc.
Open Office 2.0 - Link
A free to use open source complete office suite. Not only does it offer everything that MS office offers, it opens and saves to the usual .doc and .xls file formats.
Firefox 1.5 - Link
I love this browser and as far as I am concerned nothing even comes close. The array of useful extensions that can be downloaded and used are astounding. I love it 
KeepPass Password Safe 1.04 - Link
I am only new to this programme… Basically it allows you to keep all those passwords and usernames in one central location.
Thunderbird 1.5 - Link
Thunderbird is the mozilla version of Microsoft Outlook.
Word Press 2.0 - Link
Excellent tool for building a blog. Database driven there isn’t much Word Press 2.0 can do. Thanks for my mate Steve Kinsella who told me about htis programme…
I will add more programmes as I find them…
What is Firefox and why should you use it? Firefox is a web browser in the same way that Internet Explorer is, but with many many advantages. It is more secure and stands up better against spy ware atacks and it also has the added advantage of tabbed browsing (something Microsoft is only starting to think about more and is rumoured to be in Internet Explorer 7). What is tabbed browsing I hear you ask??? Onsted of opening up Internet Explorer with your homepage, you can open up Firefox with as many home pages as you want and access each one from the tabs along the top… Firefox is developed by Mozilla and is added to and developed by the people of the internet. Firefox is just one of a series of excellent free products
Below is a list of my favourite Firefox Plugins…
Adblock - Filters and blocks unwanted adverts from websites
SearchStatus - Shows Google PageRank and Alexa site rank
SwitchProxy Tool - Allows you to switch proxies
Forecastfox - Top class tool that brings the weather forecast
Gmail Checker - allows you to check to see if there are any gmails in
Find in Status Bar - Adds a page search
DNS Stuff - Shows the IP address of every site you are on
SEO Links Extension - Shows link popularity of a site in Yahoo, Google and MSN
Flashblock - Handy from stopping unwanted Flash adverts from playing
Flagfox - Shows the national flag of the website you are on
Colorzilla - Allows you to easily get information about any colour on a website
Mesureit - Allows you to use a ruler on your browser
Checky - Easy to use validation tool for websites
Web Developer - Adds a toolbar with everything a webmaster would need
IE View - Allows you to simulate Internet Explorer within Firefox
I will add to this as I find more excellent plugins. MattCutts excellent blog gave me the idea to put together my list.