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This page is updated regularly. Last update: October 19, 2005.

Not to totally plug my own article, but I have a detailed comparison between the two here that some might be interested in.

Not to pimp my own site too much, but the entire site is dedicated to free tools to improve Windows. It includes many of the tools just listed here. nedwolf.com

For Windows, the best option is TrueCrypt.

I've got a review of it here, if you're interested, as well as some other portable security tools. I've a bigger list portable software tools as well. (shameless link, but on topic)

For Windows, the best option is TrueCrypt.

I've got a review of it here, if you're interested, as well as some other portable security tools. I've a bigger list portable software tools as well. (shameless link, but on topic)

Opera is exploding right now. My logs show an increase of Opera over the past week of about 500%. After the buzz of "free Opera" dies down, who knows if it will maintain?

Most geeks love Firefox extensions (I do), but Joe User just isn't interested in dealing with that stuff. Opera offers more functionality straight out of the box, and almost nobody outside the tech community cares at all about open source.

I think Firefox might have reached market saturation. I wish it weren't the case, but I fear it may be true.

There was a fluff piece I wrote a little while ago about Opera vs. Firefox that addresses some of this.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Paint.net. It's issued under the MIT license, is free, and has a much cleaner interface.

There are quite a few low-end, inexpensive 3D animation packages. Ulead makes one for example. Aside from Blender, there are no truly free 3D packages at all. Truth is, no professional actually uses Blender. You'll see the occasional one-off logo or something like that, but even a serious hobbiest uses something like Lightwave or Max.

There's been kind of a trickle-down in free software. First we got things everybody needs, like an email client. Then we got software that a lot of people need, like a word processor. Then we got the Gimp, which some people need. Eventually, we'll get the specialty applications, like 3D software. It's just a matter of time.

A lot of people, when disposing of a computer, want to keep the OS and the applications installed because they're giving it to a relative or friend or something like that If that's the case, something like Derek's Boot and Nuke obviously isn't appropriate. There are, however many tools out there that help you clean up a windows machine such as Eraserto wipe data and CCleaner to clear out temp junk.

A lot of people, when disposing of a computer, want to keep the OS and the applications installed because they're giving it to a relative or friend or something like that If that's the case, something like Derek's Boot and Nuke obviously isn't appropriate. There are, however many tools out there that help you clean up a windows machine such as Eraserto wipe data and CCleaner to clear out temp junk.

I do this a lot.
I run a freeware review site [blatant plug] , and I basically scour delicious.org/popular and software, digg.com / software , freshmeat, FileForum Beta News and a few others. I download 'em, try em, and see what's what. It's a little easier for me because I'm limited to freeware, but these are good places to start.

I completely agree with this. It's one of my gripes mentioned in this review
Google Talk - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
I alse address the Jabber issue (not so eloquently as TFA).

A review of Google Talk I wrote that addresses the subject.
Google Talk Review