This post has been a long time coming, and I regret not getting this information out sooner.
Let me start off by saying I've been a user of Google Apps for many years. Google really paved the way by providing free hosted email with custom domains to the masses. Along the way they've provided many new features, but they've also failed to listen to their users and implement highly requested changes.
Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, having the write software can make your job easier as well as protect your data. I've rounded up what I feel to be the best free writing software for both Windows and Mac, as well as some extra tips that can help you store and publish your data.