Stickied for sheer usefulness.

Looks like someone un-stickified it...

:(

!?
---------

Don't think I'll use it my self but..:

Fences - By Stardock
"Fences is a program that helps you organize your desktop, and can hide your icons when they're not in use. It's FREE for personal use, so try it out today, and change how you use your desktop forever!"

Also Checkout StandAloneStack

So, VLC 1.0 is out.

VLC is much better that when I tried it a few years back. It finally got fullscreen controls not so long ago, and now with this 1.0 release It doesn't feel sluggish and actaully stops without a delay when you hit Pause.

Ran out of reasons not to use it.

I think I'll actaully use it as my main and only video player from now on.

I currently use Fences and Taskbar Shuffle to organize my desktop icons and be able to rearrange my taskbar windows.

I haven't read through most of the thread. But techsupportalert.com seems to have a useful number of freeware reviews and education resources.

Replay Media Capture

Not free, I have been using free tools that do this off and on but this is just worth the money. Util captures and records media files from sites like YouTube etc. Will also record MP3 streams, something I find HIGHLY addicting. I am using an older version and it works perfectly. If you get too many streams going it will crash so I keep to about 4. All you do is start the program and click "record". You don't even have to stay on the site just click few vids and set back or grab a beer. The cost is 40 bucks with free trial. The new version converts from flv and swf but I just keep them in that format. VLC will play them and so will media player classic from k-lite codec pack. 9 times out of 10 the recorded version is a little higher quality that those on the streaming window. And stream pausing caused by bandwidth congestion does not affect the final recorded file.

Speaking of k lite ...

K Lite Codec Pack

For ALL of your video/media playback needs. FREE.

Sorry if any of this is repeated from earlier in the thread!!

Use Shark007's codecs:

http://shark007.net/

with MPC-HC:

http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/

And everyone should check this site out, it's AWESOME:

http://ninite.com/

It does a single packaged installer w/o the nagware and toolbars etc for LOTS of common stuff, so cool! Just check what you want and go.

This may be of some use to those with WIN7...

Use a free tool from MS to make a bootable USB drive from virtually any ISO.... including the WIN7 CD with some tweaking.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/web..._download_tool

FTA: If you want to use it for any/all ISO's and bypass the Win7 security you'll also need this tweak:

http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/11...h-custom-isos/

Explanation of all this in the articles.

EDIT: Also looks like the tool works on XP, as long as you have a few other things installed (.net and some other MS tool listed in the MS article).

That's pretty awesome, not gonna lie. I'm gonna be upgrading to Win 7 soon, and that'll definitely come in handy. Thanks!

SPlayer
Yet another video player...

Awesome freakin' diagnostic tool, and can be kept on a baby usb drive for using on the road (aka grandma's house to fix her pc)

'tis called LookinMyPC, free, and a wealth of info on your system. Works in flavo(u)rs of Windows, including Win7.

D/L is here:
http://www.lookinmypc.com/download.htm

Original article is here:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/web...eek_lookinmypc

PDA NET

Turns almost any data enabled smart phone into a full unrestricted wireless broadband modem. Without paying your mobile carrier when they charge for the service.

Software not free

windows cd

to reformat

best thing ever

windows partition / backup partition

Just been scanning thought this thread again out of boredom. Noticed your post, super late but... I know of one now:

GiMeSpace Desktop Extender
http://sites.google.com/site/gimespace/



I am liking XYplorer (full vers) atm. Seems decent and doesn't look like shit like the other alternatives.

XYplorer
http://www.xyplorer.com/
"A Windows File Manager and Explorer Replacement"

Yamipod

Yet another iPod manager. Can be a direct replacement to iTunes. Prevents duplicate additions to the library. Works on Linux!!

The home page lists features, what stands out for me:

Last.fm support!
Eliminate exact duplicates
Find lost songs
Run from USB on any computer, including iPod. Yeah run it from your iPod.

What I hate....

NO FLAC SUPPORT! But hey... that's Apple.

Everything
Everything search engine
Locate files and folders by name instantly.