Toolkit

The CloudTech Toolkit includes a list of useful free or low-cost software applications for the management of small organizations.

Communications
Skype
If you haven’t got a Skype account, get one now! Skype allows for free Skype to Skype calls anywhere in the world using the Internet. With the low-cost Skype Out service, you can use Skype to call long distance phone numbers at a fraction of the cost of using the telephone. I’ve also saved a ton of money with the free conference call feature.

Get yourself a good set of headphones, and you’re ready to go!

Workstation Backups
Mozy
I really like this one, as it has a generous free package (2GB) and a very affordable unlimited option ($5/month). The fact that it is very easy to use and provides hourly incremental backups keeps it on all of our office computers.

Calendar
Google Calendar
I used Yahoo’s calendar before moving over to Google in 2007. It is a great way to keep track of my schedule, and knowing it is safely stored on a Google server somewhere. With the new offline feature, you can now also access it for those times when you don’t have an Internet connection.

Bookmarks
Delicious
Storing your bookmarks with a free Delicious account means they are available no matter where you are. With the ability to tag them and review your tag cloud, to share with others, and to see popular choices of others (this is a great way to find new sites or what is making news), this is a must have for managing your information.

Foxmarks
This plugin for Firefox allows you to sync your bookmarks across all of your computers. When you change your Firefox bookmarks on one machine, your others will all be updated. I find this to be an essential tool for all the office computers.

Information
Your Public Library
I’ve linked to mine, but you have one too, I bet. As a professional librarian myself, I have to put in a good word for libraries. My library not only has the latest bestsellers and classic movies on DVD, but also has a business support office. There aren’t many information needs that these folks can’t help with.

Utilities
Texter
7zip

Antivirus

AV

System Maintenance

Advanced System Care

Blogging

Wordpress

Content Management

Drupal

Journal Publication Management

OJS

Conference Management

OCS

Wiki

WikkaWiki

PMwiki

Local Office Applications

OpenOffice

Online Office Applications

Google Docs

ZOHO

Adobe

Email Service

Gmail

Email Client Software

Thunderbird

Graphics

GIMP

Client Management

ZOHO Invoice

ZOHO CRM

Project Management

Basecamp