Creating Charts & Diagrams

There are excellent alternatives to Visio for creating things like process flowcharts, organisational charts, etc.

> eDraw - a shareware, desktop app that is simpler than Visio. Check out the examples: Org chart, Flow chart, Business diagram, Workflow, Graphics & charts

> Gliffy - draw & share flowcharts and other simple diagrams online.

> Dia - simple, free desktop app to draw flowcharts, network diagrams, etc.

> OmniGraffle - commercial app but pretty and powerful. (Mac only)

> ArgoUML - open source UML modelling

> StarUML - another open source UML modelling tool

How to make a Wordpress Blog

Wordpress is the best blogging software available and will suit if you are a little tech-savvy and want a more powerful, customizable blog than you can make with Blogger. Below are some brief instructions on how I made my Wordpress blog.

1. Your first choice is whether to go with a free, hosted blog on Wordpress.com or set up your Wordpress blog on a host of your own. The first option is the simplest and the easiest way to get to know Wordpress straight away. > Compare the differences

2. Though Wordpress.com has a lot more themes than Blogger, I still found them limiting and the greatest advantage of Wordpress over other blogs is the number of brilliant, free designs themes that are available. Thus, I chose to download Wordpress and install it on my web host.

3. Once you've got it up and running and has a look through the Admin options, the first thing you'll want to do is find and install your desired theme. > Browse Themes

4. I chose the Salmon theme and uploaded it to the "themes" folder and unzipped it using Cpanel. Then go to the Presentation tab in WP admin and change the theme.

5. Widgets are the dynamic content you see in the sidebar, header or footer of blogs. Go to Presentation > Widgets to see if your theme supports widget customization. If you see a message telling you it doesn't, you'll need to follow the instructions here or here to edit your theme. Once your theme is working, you will be able to go to Presentation > Widgets and drag and drop widgets into your sidebar.

6. Plugins add various types of functionality to your blog. E.g. Adding audio and video players, image galleries, enhancing the post editor, backing up your site's database, making it easier to share your posts, etc. > Alternate plugin directory

Project Management Tools

Alternatives to MS Project and other expensive, integrated PM software.

> Zoho Projects - web-based, project management tool with calendar, tasks & milestones, file-sharing, forums, Gantt charts and reports.

> Basecamp - free version doesn't include file-sharing. Paid versions start as $12/mnth

> Central Desktop - project collaboration toolset for teams.

> Goplan - online PM and collaboration.

> actionthis - online team-management collaboration.

> Open Workbench - free, desktop alternative to MS Project.

> TeamWork Live - web-based PM suite but per user licencing.

> activeCollab - free but needs to be installed on server. Still in dev.

> Wrike - manage projects by email.

> Whodoes

> Sidejobtrack - web-based job tracking, invoicing and reporting.

> CreactiveProOffice

> Project Spaces - full intranet solution.

> Projity - open source desktop and web-based alternatives to MS Project.

> PlanHQ - business planning app.

Individual Project Tools

If the tools don't need to be integrated, check out: task-lists, online doc sharing, auto-organized web folders, Intervals time-tracking,

Software to Burn CDs and DVDs

The good news is you only need 1 free program to burn any CD or DVD including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs, create ISOs, bootable disks and much more. Please get rid of Nero!

> CDBurnerXP

Make & Publish Presentations Online

You can now create neat presentations (e.g. slideshows) online and even upload and convert your existing desktop presentation (e.g. in Powerpoint).

> Slideshare - upload & convert your ppt, keynote, odp, pdf, create slideshows & slidecasts (mix with podcasts).

> Empressr - upload your media, create your slides online, publish to the web.

> Preezo - create and collaborate on web-based presentations.

> Zoho Show - online presentation tool to replace powerpoint.

> Thumbstacks - make simple presentations using your browser.

Convert any Video Format to any Other

You may need to convert video you've downloaded from various places into a specific format to optimize it, publish it or play it on certain devices. Below are some free tools for doing do:

> Any Video Converter - convert from and to most formats including: DivX, XviD, MOV, rm, rmvb, MPEG, VOB, DVD, WMV, AVI and MPEG-4 format for portable devices.

Online Mind Maps

It's become common for people to use mind map applications for visualizing and creating diagrammatic summaries/explanations. There are now great online alternatives to desktop apps like MindManager:

> bubbl.us - a simple tool for brainstorming or creating quick mind maps.

> Mindomo - simple mind mapping online.

> Mindmeister - a full-featured mind map online app.

Open Source or Free Alternative Software

This site focuses on free, open source or low-cost software. Here, I'll add links to other directories or sites with lists of free or open source alternatives.

> Osalt.com - open source alternatives to popular commercial software.

> FOSSwiki - freeware and open source directory.

Personal Productivity Tips

Some useful sites with advice and ideas on improving personal productivity.

> 43 Folders - Known for advice on managing email and time. A very active forum.

What Blog Service Should I Use?

To start blogging you'll need to first decide where and how. There's few good reasons to host your own blog given the excellent choice of blogging services. The difference in these services will guide your choice: simple vs powerful, template flexibility, cost, media-integration, social networking features, etc. Below I'll post links to assist in this comparison:

> Blog services review

Playing All Video & Audio Formats

Struggling to play a particular video, audio or media file? Here you can find out about and download the decoders (codecs) you need.

> Codec Guide - download a codec pack for all main video and audio formats and lite alternatives to Real media and Quicktime.

How Do I Customize my Blog?

I'll add a list of "How do I" blog enhancements and customizations here.

> Create RSS Feeds for Blog Labels

> Make Horizontal Nav Bar in Header

> Remove Blogger default Nav Bar