CEONET: Communities of Eastern Ontario Network - the rural broadband centre
CEONET: Communities of Eastern Ontario Network - the rural broadband centre

Software Tools

See also Online Services: Cloud Computing

The Internet is host for many free applications. Most listed here are "open-source" or "free software" and identified with the icon. The remaining software are offered as "freeware" and identified by the icon. This is different for online applications which function entirely online over the internet on a server somewhere else.

The one caution is to remember that learning and support are in your hands, though there is normally provision for a online support base and help groups to whom questions can be asked.

Contact Management Software

  • SmallBiz - A lively South African resource with recommendations for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software of different kinds.

Productivity Software

The first site is an open-source alternative to the commercial Microsoft Office and Corel WordPerfect Office suites. With five modules, it covers just about all basic needs. Frequent improvements by global volunteers keep the software up-to-date.

  • OpenOffice - opens and saves in conventional Office file formats. You can choose an English or French interface. OpenOffice is promoted for small business, municipal and government offices because the license encourages free distribution. Complete with downloadable Canadian English / French dictionary and software manual.
    OpenOffice has 5 modules: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing, database.

    The OpenOffice suite runs on Windows, Mac OS, Linux and FreeBSD

    License: Open Source / Free Software

  • FreshBooks - A neat online application for freelancers that tracks time and sends invoices to clients. Free for 1 - 3 clients and paid version for larger numbers.

  • MailChimp - An online application with many tools for creating and sending email marketing campaigns. Free for small numbers of mailings/clients, paid version for larger users.
  • PrimoPDF - A free online application to convert documents from any format into PDF format

    License: Freeware

Web Browsers

If you or your small business are involved with maintaining a web site, it's good advice to download and install more than one web browser to test functionality and appearance.
  • Mozilla FireFox - The popular Firefox browser provides faster, more secure web browsing than Explorer. By design, Firefox blocks pop-ups as well as viruses and spyware when browsing

    License: Open Source / Free Software

  • Opera - A robust and efficient web browsing suite that includes tools for web development, accessibility and handling of popular content-delivery methods available online.

    License: Freeware

E-Mail Services (client)

  • Thunderbird - an open source e-mail service created under the Mozilla project. Supported functions include an RSS reader and support for extensions. Sometimes thought of as the perfect companion to FireFox

    License: Open Source / Free Software

  • Pegasus Mail - a lightweight yet extremely robust e-mail service

    License: Freeware

Be a contributor

If you've come across a great web site, tool or other resource related to small business, please send it to us; we will be pleased to include it in this page.
Voice over Internet (VoIP)
  • Skype - Skype is so well known, it's even become a verb in English. Use Skype for calls to other Skype users, from Skype to landline phones (Skype Out), or from them to you (Skype In). The software is free; you will need speakers and a microphone (or a simple headset). Sound quality may vary with broadband service, some users notice better sound across the Atlantic (on newer fibre optic cable) than closer to home (on older copper wire networks).
    Fees for PC calls to landlines are modest, less than 3¢/min in many cases. Supports video and conferencing.

    License: Freeware

  • Click here to watch a promotional YouTube video about Skype applications in the business world.

    • Yahoo Voice - A recent competitor to Skype for PC to PC calls or PC to landline/mobile calls with very low rates.

  • Miscellaneous

    • Belarc Advisor - a small application that will give you all the specifications of your PC including CPU speed, memory, hard drive space, installed devices and installed software.

      License: Freeware

    • Picasa - From Google, an excellent free alternative to such applications as Photoshop for photo editing and creating albums.

      License: Open Source / Free Software
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