10 Best Free Business Software Downloads

Some things really are difficult to imagine living without. How did we search before Google? Share images before Flickr? Connect with long lost friends before Facebook? In a distant past, barely memorable now that the internet is so ubiquitous, people actually installed software on their computers for everything they did rather than using the internet for everything.

While it is very likely, some might say even inevitable, that one day soon desktop applications will be completely replaced by internet equivalents, there are still some software applications without which life would just not be the same. And like the best internet sites, the best software around is freely available. Here are the RealmSurfer picks of the top 10 free software applications that no business should be without:

1. Firefox Internet Browser (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/)

The browser that took the fight to Internet Explorer and blew it completely out of the water. Firefox is extremely highly regarded by web developers and web novices alike. Fast, stable and with an add-on for everything, if you don't use Firefox as your primary browser you really are missing out. The swiss army knife of internet browsing. Compulsory for any self-respecting web developer, and highly recommended for everyone else. Don't forget to install a few of the hundreds of incredible add-ons while you're at it (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ ). If you install only one new application on your computer this year, install Firefox, you won't regret it.

2. Thunderbird Email Client (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/ )

Just as Firefox is the best free web browser, Thunderbird is undisputedly the best free business email client. Don't forget to install the Lightning Calendar extension (http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/lightning/ ) to add powerful integrated calendar functionality for booking those all-important business meetings.

3. OpenOffice Office Application Suite (http://www.openoffice.org/ )

Fully compatible with the Office formats, OpenOffice is the free office application suite that adds word processing, speadsheets and presentations, graphic manipulation and database capabilities to your desktop.

4. GnuCash Accounting Software (http://www.gnucash.org/ )

Don't be fooled by the unpretentious website. GnuCash is a very capable and sophisticated business accounting package. Great for small businesses, you can get your accounts set up and running quickly, easily and affordably.

5. SyncToy Backup Utility
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx )

Any business has a huge amount of intellectual capital invested in its software files. Don't lose it all in one unfortunately timed hardware crash. Although the technology has improved tremendously over the years, hard drives are still infamous for failing much more often than you would like or expect. Not to mention the question of what to do with your data when you upgrade to a new computer. Microsoft's SyncToy is the really simple, easy to use data backup system no business should be without.

SyncToy does what it does well, and simply. If you're the type who likes to play with more advanced options, SyncBackSE (http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/sbse-features.html ) is also a great piece of free software.

6. Dia Business Diagram Software (http://dia-installer.de/index_en.html )

Need to produce structured business diagrams quickly and easily? Look no further.

7. 7-Zip File Compresson Utility (www.7-zip.org/ )

Need to compress or open files? 7-Zip does it all in a snap.

8. Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html )

PDFs are the de-facto way to distribute documents electronically. Adobe Reader is the de-facto way to read them.

9. Cute PDF Writer (http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp )

Need to print something but would prefer not to take down a forest at the same time? Why not take a look at CutePDF Writer. CutePDF installs a print driver so that when you choose the Print icon you have an option to save the printed result as a PDF document on your hard drive instead of sending the output to a printer. Simply archive your important documents electronically to save space and the planet at the same time.

10. Windows Live Messenger (http://get.live.com/messenger/overview )

Whether you need to message a work colleague, make an internet voice call or video conference with a client halfway around the world, this is an essential tool. Also check out:

Yahoo Messenger (http://messenger.yahoo.com/ )
Skype (http://www.skype.com/intl/en/ )

Bonus #11. Winamp Media Player (http://www.winamp.com/ )

Technically this isn't a business productivity tool. However, studies have shown that people are more productive in their work environment if they are listening to music while they're working. Winamp has been there since the early days of the internet, when MP3s were a brand new and exciting new technology. These days Winamp plays more than just MP3s. The grand-daddy and undisputed champion media player also does internet radio, video, movies and games just as well.