6 free tools for online collaboration

• An Instant Messaging (IM) application is an essential part of online working and the good news is that majority of them are free to download and use. You should look for one that suits your working pattern. For example, Google Talk is best suited for those who want voice and text messaging. Live Messenger is great if you want to use a webcam to conduct online meetings. Finally, if your co-workers are using different types of IM applications then you should try Jabber.
  
  
• If you or your colleagues need to be able to access files remotely, or work on them collaboratively from different places, you can use an online file storage account such as Box.net. This provides you with 1GB of storage space for free. You can use it to access important files from any PC connected online.
  
  
• To retrieve information from your connected computer, you can use Windows' own Remote Desktop Connection application.
  
  
• If you need to draw pictures or sketches, try General Electric's Imagination Cubed, an online instant whiteboard application. For a more elaborate whiteboard collaboration tool try Vyew.
  
  
• Try an enterprise collaboration platform such as Twiki. This allows you to manage documents and share information with your co-workers over an intranet or Internet website.
  
  
• If you want to plot your thoughts in a mindmap, try Bubbl.us. It is straight forward to use, intuitive and enables you to save an unlimited number of mindmaps online. You can also invite your colleagues to collaborate and share your mindmaps via an internet browser.