I am so glad for this thread! I was wondering what to use for tracking hours. I really didn't want to download all this software for my laptop because I was afraid of slowing it down. I definitely want to check myhours out! Thank you!

Also...I agree Google is the best for everything! They even have free apps that can help you with other applications. I have a client that uses Salesforce but is a little overwhelmed with it. I found an app on google (free by the way) that she can use to make Salesforce work a little better. Seems I'm always going there to search for something!!

Wow ladies! I'm going to have to bookmark this page!

My #1 would be this site!
#2 Primo PDF-Free website to convert PDF files
#3 Microsoft Office-Free clip art, images and templates
#4 Dictionary.com-I could not live without the thesaurus
#5 Ryze-A free business networking site also full of wonderful, helpful and supportive people. There are a lot of VA's there too.

Once I start actually working with clients, I'm sure I'll utilize a lot more!
I plan on downloading logmein and myhours.

__________________
Dawn Lawson | At Your Service
http://freelanceadminsupport.com

Portable Apps: http://portableapps.com/apps/office/openoffice_portable
GoogleCalendar: www.google.com/calendar
My Hours: http://www.myhours.com/
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Glary Utilities: http://www.glaryutilities.com/

http://www.nvu.com-I use this for website design.
http://www.4shared.com - It's a site that you can backup your files on.
http://www.k7.net - It's a free voice mail number that also doubles as a fax number.
http://www.google.com/documents - Google Docs (I know someone else already mentioned this)
http://www.ezezine.com - I use them for my ezine.

I've got more than five, but the instructions said top five so that's what I used.

Thanks everyone for sharing this info !!. It has been very helpful. I liked virtual assistant advice... listed by Maria. It has a lot of useful tips and resources to start your business.

Can anyone tell me if you ´re using Workspace / Skydrive...


Thanks!!!
Carolina

OH!

This is great! Good Thread Idea Tess!

Here are mine...
1. www.Yahoo.com

• free email w/spam screening
• free url submission
• free instant messenger

2. www.faxzero.comfree to send small docs 2 x day.
3. www.translation2.paralink.com free written language translation, didn't use this for work yet...but it really works...both ways!
4. QuickBooks Simple Start - Free Download Completely legit. You can "manage" seperate businesses with this simple quick books. Free version is short a few features but great for someone just starting up!
5. www.downloads.com find free software (some beta so read reviews first). I use this ALL the time! Downloaded/tested multiple software/widgets etc. I look for "big" names and search their free stuff.

__________________
Ferguson & Kurtz Professional Services
"where the virtual meets professional"

okay - I don't have 5 - not yet- however, one site I haven't seen mentioned is www.grandcentral.com - this is a google owned company that allows you to one phone number that will ring your home phone, cell phones, work phones, etc all simultaneously, and has so many benefits. I use it faithfully daily, hourly... I have a record of every incoming and outgoing phone call and can personally address each caller based on their category or address an individual personally if they are in my address book. It really is a very cool program - I find new features in it all the time and am so excited to share it. Oh yah - It's in BETA right now, so all is free - later I think they plan to charge for anything over 3 phones (home, cell phone). 1 2 or 3 phones will continue to be free.

Originally Posted by bfergi

OH! This is great! Good Thread Idea Tess! Here are mine... 1. www.Yahoo.com free email w/spam screening free url submission free instant messenger 2. www.faxzero.comfree to send small docs 2 x day. 3. www.translation2.paralink.com free written language translation, didn't use this for work yet...but it really works...both ways! 4. QuickBooks Simple Start - Free Download Completely legit. You can "manage" seperate businesses with this simple quick books. Free version is short a few features but great for someone just starting up!ok...this one might not be "free" forever. My version wants me to register in 10 days. guess it was just a trial Still a good program. 5. www.downloads.com find free software (some beta so read reviews first). I use this ALL the time! Downloaded/tested multiple software/widgets etc. I look for "big" names and search their free stuff.

Hope that helps everyone. I just got so excited to share some info.

__________________
Ferguson & Kurtz Professional Services
"where the virtual meets professional"

Originally Posted by bfergi

4. QuickBooks Simple Start - Free Download Completely legit. You can "manage" separate businesses with this simple quick books. Free version is short a few features but great for someone just starting up! ok...this one might not be "free" forever. My version wants me to register in 10 days. guess it was just a trial Still a good program.

Brandy -- if you downloaded the basic Simple Start and not the Simple Start Plus program it's free. Quickbooks just makes you register the program -- you don't have to pay to register it. You have to register all of the Quickbooks programs.

Like you mentioned, the free version has some limitations but it is sufficient for starting out and it does upgrade easily when your business grows to the point that you need the other things.

__________________
Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

Originally Posted by deannatroupe

http://www.nvu.com-I use this for website design. http://www.4shared.com - It's a site that you can backup your files on. http://www.k7.net - It's a free voice mail number that also doubles as a fax number. http://www.google.com/documents - Google Docs (I know someone else already mentioned this) http://www.ezezine.com - I use them for my ezine. I've got more than five, but the instructions said top five so that's what I used.

AWESOME Links...lots of info to look into! And I thought I knew it all! lol

__________________
Ferguson & Kurtz Professional Services
"where the virtual meets professional"

Originally Posted by lanelt

Brandy -- if you downloaded the basic Simple Start and not the Simple Start Plus program it's free. Quickbooks just makes you register the program -- you don't have to pay to register it. You have to register all of the Quickbooks programs. Like you mentioned, the free version has some limitations but it is sufficient for starting out and it does upgrade easily when your business grows to the point that you need the other things.

oh phew!....I was getting worried because i have 10 days to register! Thanks for clearing that up for me

__________________
Ferguson & Kurtz Professional Services
"where the virtual meets professional"

Hi guys,

This site is great to use when sending heavy files:
http://www.yousendit.com/

Google Alert http://www.google.com/alerts - great for keeping track of things and who might be writing about you!
Google Reader http://www.google.com/alerts for rss feeds (including this forum)
Linkedin.com http://www.linkedin.com - great for networking amongst other business people who are potential clients or resource providers
NCH Software http://www.nch.com.au/ - express scribe for transcriptions is a free download
Zamzar http://www.zamzar.com/ free file conversion

__________________
Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

Hi everyone Thanks so much for all the great information. For those of us who are still in the research and start-up stages this infomation is invaluable. Thanks again for your willingness to share with others.

Be Blessed.

Michelle.

My top five free online resources

http://sba.gov/
http://www.entrepreneur.com/interstitial/default.html
http://business.gov/
http://smallbusiness.officelive.com/...womenelive.com
http://forums.womenentrepreneur.com/