Dark Room is a simple word processor that does away with menu bars, palettes, options, and that insipid “Clippy.” All you get is a black screen and your very default-looking green text. I use this pretty much anytime I’m writing copy since it produces a simple .txt file that can be easily imported to InDesign or the web. Available for Windows. Check out WriteRoom for OSX.
Right now, Amazon is offering 5GB of cloud storage for FREE. This can be used for backup, as a sort of remote thumb drive, to run a web site, or serve as the backbone of your new mobile start up. Check it out.
Hongkiat.com provides this awesome collection of high resolution wood textures. While their use may seem limited, many of these photos can provide a great “base” of adding depth and complexity to your designs and illustrations.
Brands of the World is my go-to resource for vector logos. I often find myself trying to scrounge together logos for various projects I’m working on and usually begin and end here. Their collection is extensive and includes both newer and older versions as well as many variants used in other markets. Registration is free.
In fact, I used BOTW to put together this Brand Alphabet. Test your elite logo sniffing skills.
Colourlovers is one of the best tools available for all manner of creative folks. From illustrations to web designers, color can sometimes be the one element that holds back a design. Colourlovers allows you to browse user-created palettes, find new colors, and share patterns that make clever use of unique colors. Best of all, it’s absolutely free.
Snag a one year subscription to Digital Photo Magazine for FREE. Yeah, I’ve never heard of it either, but if this is your thing, you can’t complain about FREE.
When you register with Veer, you can get 10 credits for FREE. They can be used for a few images, a typeface, or even goodies in their store!
Keeping track receipts is all in a day’s work for a freelancer, and losing one can mean missing out on big deductions. With Expensify, you can keep track of your spending from your smart phone or on the web. Organize by category, store emailed receipts, track mileage, export to QuickBooks and even input receipts by taking pictures of them! Sign up for FREE.
SlimTimer is a simple, web-based time tracking utility. Create different tasks, run reports (exported directly to Excel) and report in to the higher ups. Simple sign up process and completely FREE.
From today through February 5, sign into LinkedIn for a FREE month of premium services. DANGER! It automatically renews, so be sure to cancel before the month is out. Or just use a throwaway credit card number through Paypal.
Putting the Free in Freelance 