Stop spending it's free! Software made for student budgets

Instead of forking out for computer software sold in the shops you can get free and often better alternatives straight to your desktop from the web. And as students we should be embracing these freebies for all they are worth.

1. In at first place as the all round most useful bit of kit for your computer is OpenOffice. Basically Microsoft Word but for free and it's compatible with Word so you can still open your documents created with it on other computers.

So whether it's an essay, spreadsheet or presentation you're being asked to hand in all can be made with OpenOffice.

2. Secondly there's AVG an anti-virus package that will protect your computer from those pesky viruses that fly around the web. Unlike paid for software such as Norton it is unobtrusive and won't try and take over your computer. Essential for every student who can't afford to let their computer become infected.

3. To avert a work loss crisis when your computer decides to let you down at the last minute sign up to Mozy. This allows you to backup any files or folders you have up to 2 GB on the web. You can then access them from another computer and all will not be lost.

All this software can be downloaded and set up within half an hour on a good internet connection, saving you hundreds of pounds.

Sarah Dean

4. Whether you are on a design based course or simply want to play around with your photos from numerous nights out Gimp is probably the best alternative to the popularly used Adobe Photoshop. The principles are the same on both yet Gimp is free whereas for Photoshop you're looking at paying around £500.

5. And lastly there's VLC ideal for watching videos and films. This is a media player with a difference and will play any media file you can throw at it. It also allows for customization of what you are viewing, for example the size you want the video to come on the screen as. Unlike the inbuilt media players you mite get as standard on your computer such as Windows Media Player.

All this software can be downloaded and set up within half an hour on a good internet connection, saving you hundreds of pounds. Plus these examples are by no means exhaustive, simply the top 5 free software that will be of use to most students. For more personalized applications for all your studying needs (and even some fun stuff) keep searching the web.