I'm traveling and would like to improve my spanish along the way. I
have a laptop and am searching for software or lessons that I could
download to practice in my hotel room at night. I'm currently at an
intermediate level and am looking for verb conjugation, vocabulary,
and conversational practice.  I am willing to pay up to $50 USD for
software, but obviously would prefer free lessons if they are
available. The most important fact is that it be downloadable and not
require a permanent internet connection.

Go to your local library. Many libraries have cd audio lessons that
you can check out from them. It's not too difficult to burn the cds as
audio files.

Of course you'd have to delete them as soon as you return the item or
else it'd be  illegal ;).

Spanish with michel thomas is excellent for beginners. You can usually
get it on amazon or ebay for about 35 bucks used.

http://spanish.about.com/ isn't bad. Just run it through http://www.httrack.com/.

Peer to peer networks like bearshare (http://www.bearshare.com/) often
have good files when searching "learn spanish", however, once again,
they may include illegal pirated copies making it a crime to download
them. Note that bearshare contains spyware in their free version, but
anti spyware programs like adaware clear it up. It may also be useful
to look for a free spanish to english dictionary application.

You could also search
://www.google.com.mx/search?q=cuentos+para+ninos and use
http://www.httrack.com/ to grab the short kids stories.


Good luck!

Mods please, the above link is spam.