How to Be High Tech for Free

Think again.

You can release your inner geek for free. That's right: FREE! Here are a few of the most helpful free high-tech tools you should be using:

OpenOffice.org. Can't afford Microsoft Office? Don't want to fork over a small fortune to get it? No problem. OpenOffice.org is fully compliant with Office - and completely legal. That means you can read, write and edit in Office files like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and even Access. Put out by Sun MicroSystems, OpenOffice.org's open source software is a power house. Why? In addition to being compatible with Office, it also offers full compliance with just about every other office-related software you'll ever run across. You can even convert from one type of file to another. Need this kind of power to be mobile? Not a problem - you can download a version to your thumb drive.

Google Tools. An alternative to Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org is Google Tools. For the price of a Gmail account (free), you can utilize the robust web-based office tools provided by the leader in Internet search. Need a spreadsheet or word processor? Need to save and share your documents? Google Tools is a great way to go!

Skype. Tired of outrageous long-distance phone bills? Make them go away with Skype. You can make free Skype-to-Skype phone calls. That's right - free phone calls! Other VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) providers have offered similar services, but the call quality was quite low. Now, this recently-acquired eBay holding is the first choice for geeks on a budget (or just a little cheap). Want to call someone who doesn't have Skype? Not a problem. Calling a cell phone or land line won't break the bank at just $29.95 PER YEAR!!!

Blogging. There are over 80 million blogs (short for "web logs") out there in cyberspace dealing with all sorts of topics. They started out as glorified online diaries, though. If you want to share your interests, your life or expertise, it won't cost you a cent. Many companies like Blogger.com offer free blog accounts. In the past, it was quite common for family members living abroad to write a letter, photocopy it and then mail out those copies. Blogging eliminates that hassle, too. As long as they have your blog address, they can read your updates and see your pictures. (And if you sign up for Google Adsense, you might even make a little money off your blog!)

Podcasting. In addition to blogging, you can also record your posts. Free software like Audacity is available for free. Record your thoughts using the software, save it and upload it to your site or blog and POOF! You've got a podcast. Besides Audacity, you'll need a computer microphone - but you probably have that already.

Being high-tech won't cost you big money. Use the free, legal resources available and you'll have the tools you need to succeed at work and at play.