Technical writers may be interested in XML Copy Editor, a free open-source XML editor available at the following link:
http://xml-copy-editor.sourceforge.net/.
Writers using DITA may also find Writing Technically’s three-part series on DITA very helpful. For a more comprehensive look at DITA, check out this complete list of acceptable DITA tags.
The Adobe Creative Suite tools are as expensive as they are powerful. For freelancers and students who can’t afford Creative Suite, there are viable Open Source alternatives. For instance, Scribus is an Open Source page layout program designed to replicate the functionality of InDesign. Whether it’s a better program than InDesign or not, it’s certainly a lot cheaper.
Technical Communication at UAHuntsville 