Downloadable

• Go! OpenOffice - A free alternative to Microsoft Office!  You get 'Word', 'Excel', 'PowerPoint', and 'Access' all for FREE!  Just download, install, and go!  Also, you can save your work in almost ANY format...Microsoft, .pdf, ODF, etc...  I think it is also easier to use - great for younger students!

• Xmind - XMind is a revolutionary Mind Mapping/Brainstorming/Presentation software. It enables you to easily capture ideas and manage information.  And the best part...it was $130 -> now it is OpenSource!  If your download does not start, click here for an alternate download link.

• Evernote - Evernote allows you to easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient (like a camera, scanner, web copy/paste, etc) , and makes this information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere using advanced text/image recognition technology.  In other words, if you snap a picture of notes on a napkin and send it to your Evernote account, it will automatically recognize the text and images and create a searchable document for later reference.  Yeah, pretty cool ;)

• PortableApps - This is a complete collection of portable apps including a web browser, email client, office suite, calendar/scheduler, instant messaging client, antivirus, audio player, sudoku game, password manager, PDF reader, minesweeper clone, backup utility and integrated menu, all preconfigured to work portably. Just drop it on your portable device and you're ready to go.

• CutePDF Writer - This application allows you to change any word processing document to a PDF File. Converter File needed for Cute PDF.

Online

• RememberTheMilk - Remember The Milk (RTM) is a task- and time-management web application. It allows users to manage tasks from any computer as well as offline.

• Bubbl.US - A simple to use, free web application that lets you create mind maps and brainstorm online.