Astro software/free

Didn't know which forum to post in; what are your favorite free downloads of astro software, that will print charts showing Messiers, NGC's, & location?
I've spent too much money on programs, only to find AFTER buying them that they were either too complicated, or didn't do what I needed.
Thanks!

http://messier45.com/cgi-bin/dsdb/dsb.pl

Didn't know which forum to post in; what are your favorite free downloads of astro software, that will print charts showing Messiers, NGC's, & location?
I've spent too much money on programs, only to find AFTER buying them that they were either too complicated, or didn't do what I needed.
Thanks!
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It's always a trade off between simple and easy and a learning curve and some real capability.

Others have suggested Cartes du Ciel,

www.astrosurf.com/astropc

In my view, it's right there with the big name programs, large data bases possible, lots of nice features, a calender with the planets+, real time animation, nice views of the planets... Gosh it's amazing

jon