These are links to free programs / utilities that are indispensable.
Sound
Audacity an amazing, free sound editor
Audacity will ask you for this
lame_enc.dll if you want to save as an mp3 file
Free
Acid Xpress Music Composition Programme - (Right Click link and use Save As option) You will be required to register the software. Free copyright-free 8 packs of sample wave files also available, rotated weekly. The software will automatically match tempo and key of the music samples to the key and tempo of the file you are working on. Changing the key and/or tempo of the file will automatically change the properties of the sample files. Using a mic or audio interface, you can record your own vocals or instruments to add to the file. We've used it to create rap style backing tracks for language, history, science etc. as well as to create soundscapes for PowerPoint and Opus presentations.
Graphics
Irfanview resize pictures and add effects
Photo Story 3 create amazing slide shows. When you install PhotoStory 3 it may ask for
Media Player 10. It may also ask for
Direct X.
Picassa 2 it catalogues all your pictures, make slide shows, timelines and apply special effects; just connect your camera to the computer and this program will automatically download the pictures
ArtRage 2.5 Starter Edition a free, well featured graphics program
TuxPaint a free award-winning drawing and painting program for primary schools. The program's configuration allows the user interface to be set to Welsh.
Utilities
Adobe readers if you need use Acobat
pdf,
flash or
shockwave files you'll need this site - all free downloads
QuickTime can't view films - you need to download this free program
Primo pdf converter if you need to convert your own pdf files then this program will do it and it's free
AVG virus checker you can't use this excellent program in school but it's free for home use - if the staff and pupils don't have an up to date virus checker then make sure they have this on their home computers
Digital Movie Creator Chooser Application if you have version 1 and version 2 of the DMC plug the camera in and use this utility to choose the correct software to load - you'll need to create a log in to the TAG site first
Capture-A-ScreenShot is a
FREE simple to use screen capture software utility that captures screenshots. With Capture-A-ScreenShot, you can easily capture the last active screen, full screen, or selected area. It will automatically create a jpg image file in your chosen location, but as it uses a 'Copy' command to do so, you may also use 'paste' for immediacy when dropping images into documents etc. The downside is, you could easily find your folders filling up with captured images, so best to create a specific area for saving, and do some regular housekeeping!
WordWeb is a one-click English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows that can look up words in almost any program. It works off-line, but can also look up words in web references such as the Wikipedia encyclopedia. When downloaded and in use, simply place the cursor on any part of a word you want to check and then press Ctrl+right-click. Easy peasy.
Up comes a check on the word along with a few alternatives. If the word you are checking is mis-spelt it will tell you so and sometimes suggest the nearest word.
You can download the free version as long as you don't fly too often!!! (The company who make the product want to see greenhouse gases reduced.)
Classroom software
Open Office this is fantastic free software that is very similar to Microsoft Office - if the staff or pupils don't have Microsoft Office then get them to try this; it will open all Microsoft Office files
Google Earth fantastic software for satellite imagery of the Earth and the sky
egg time2.exe this is a fantastic free timer which is very useful for lots of class activities, because of security issues you may have to download this from home and bring it into school.
Just2easy a fantastic web based document processor