Our Favorite Web Freebies

Last week I started noticing how much use I get out of things that are available for free on the web. The Open Source movement has brought about a lot of good, free software - or donation-ware, if you're serious about Open Source products. There's a number of free things I use, but these are my "Fab 5", the ones I really want to share!

1. Backpack is an awesome way to organize, well, everything. It's from 37signals, a group that offers a number of other good products, as well as Ruby on Rails. I use Backpack mainly to organize my always-increasing task list. But it also offers calendars, reminders, and a "writeboard" for collaborative authoring. Plus, it integrates easily with email - you can even email content TO the page! In addition to the free version, which is limited to 5 pages and doesn't offer all the features, they also have several paid plans.
2. FamFam Fam offers 4 sets of icons, titled Silk, Flags, Mini, and Bitsy. We've used them in a number of ways. The flags are in use on Volunteer Vette's website, in the blue bar across the top, for changing the language of the site. We've employed some of the Silk collection on MyPaperShop.com. And finally, our upcoming software AuctionAware uses the Silk Icons in the admin interface. Mark really did a great job with these icons.
3. Wordpress happens to be what I'm typing into right now. This weblog runs on Wordpress, and we've implemented and/or integrated Wordpress for a number of clients, including KaTom, WonderBrains, and My Paper Shop. It runs locally, unlike Blogger, and is supported by a large community of users and developers. Which means great themes and plug-ins too.
4. I also personally use Wordpress for a weblog about my family. I gave up my scrapbooking hobby recently when I decided I'd never have time to catch up! So I decided to continue the existing weblog and integrate it with all my digital photos, for a virtual scrapbook. But how to manage the photos? That's when I found out about Gallery2. Another open source application, and even better, it integrates with Wordpress! I wish the interface were a little easier, but it's robust and, once you learn to use it, quite easy. Voila, instant scrapbook!
5. Last, but not least, I love the Firefox browser. No, it's not my primary browser, much to the condescension of most of my colleagues. I use Internet Explorer for a reason though - most of what I do online involves my client work, and I like to use what the majority of Internet users prefer, because that's usually my target audience. However, I need a backup! First of all, I use Firefox for testing websites I build. Of course. But I also use it when I need to circumvent something already set in Internet Explorer - such as a one-time Miva Merchant coupon I've used for testing purposes, or anything else cookie related. And the web developer toolbar is something I can't live without!

I asked Pete to give me his list as well, so in a much shorter format, here you go:

1. WinCVS - for version control
2. WinRAR - for zip files (only the trial is free)
3. ITunes - to purchase music for his IPod
4. Yahoo IM - for quick and reliable online text messaging
5. Notetab - a great, programmable text editor

What's your favorite freebie?