101 Fantastic Freebies

Software, the heart and soul of every intelligent machine.
Many of them are good, some are better and a few are the masterpiece - the ones which rake in moolah for their creators.
Today in cyberspace, you will stumble across a whole lot of freebies, claiming to be the best available, but no one has the time to test them for the credibility of the claims made and their suitability for one's needs.
In such a scenario, we wish to have an expert advice, and if this advice comes from a source none other than with a credentials like pcworld, it deserves to be taken seriously.
So here it is, the pcworld folks have come out with a list of 101 most fantastic freebies, compiled after lots of hard work - it seems, for you to explore and delve into. And yes - do I need to say that these are all free for download - oh gosh, it goes without saying.

System Utilities

Windows XP Tweaks

• Fresh UI
• Microsoft Power Toys for Windows XP
• Tweak and Tune

Windows Vista Tweaks

• TweakVI Basic
• VistaBootPRO
• Easy BCD

Security Software

• Avast
• ZoneAlarm Free
• AVG Anti-Virus Free
• SMAC
• Microsoft Windows Defender
• Spybot Search and Destroy

Registry Cleaner

• TweakNow RegCleaner Standard
• Clean My Registry

Hardware Utility

• Belarc Advisor
• SpeedFan
• M2 Information

Communications and File Sharing

E-Mail for Free

• Gmail
• Yahoo Mail
• Microsoft Windows Live Mail
• Spamato
• Thunderbird
• Eudora
• IncrediMail

File Sharing

• AllPeers
• Pando
• uTorrent

Instant Messaging, Voice, and Video

• Meebo
• Jajah
• Skype
• Gizmo
• Yahoo Messenger
• Trillian
• Windows GAIM
• Google Talk

Blogs and News Reading

Personal Web

• Pageflakes
• Netvibes
• Protopage
• Google Personalized Home
• Microsoft Windows Live

Online RSS Reader

• Bloglines
• NewsGator Online
• Google Reader

Software RSS Reader

• Sage
• Active Web Reader
• Tristana RSS Reader
• MCE RSS Reader

Blogging Site

• Google Blogger
• WordPress
• LiveJournal
• Microsoft Windows Live Spaces
• AOL People Connection
• Yahoo 360

File Management

Desktop Search

• Google Desktop
• Copernic Desktop Search
• Microsoft Windows Desktop Search
• Yahoo Desktop Search

Backup and File Synchronization

• Mozy
• MediaMax
• XDrive
• Microsoft SyncToy
• Everyday Auto Backup
• Microsoft Foldershare

Productivity and Office Apps

Office Software and Services

• Zoho
• Portable Apps
• Google Docs and Spreadsheets
• Num Sum
• Ajax 13
• OpenOffice.org

Time Management

• Backpack
• Google Notebook
• Sticky Notes
• Easy To-Do

Notepad Replacement

• NoteTab Light
• Crimson Editor
• EditPad Lite

Business Productivity

• Google Apps for Your Domain
• Microsoft Office Live
• FreeCRM.com

Music, Photos and Video

Entertainment Software

• VLC Media Player
• iTunes
• Foobar2000

Image Editing

• Google Picasa
• Snapfire
• Irfanview
• StudioLine Photo Basic
• Microsoft Photo Info
• FastStone MaxView
• Media Purveyor
• GIMP -- GNU Image Manipulation Program
• Paint.Net

Web Video Site

• YouTube
• Blinkx
• Yahoo Video
• Google Video

Multimedia Tools and Toys

• Audacity
• Free iPod Video Converter
• PSP Video 9
• DVD Shrink

The most important feeds resources to which I subscribe at present

There are lots and lots of feeds, especially in the RSS, available in the blogosphere. A list of top 100 is available here.
If you are a new blogger like me, it is very tempting to try and collect every available piece of information. But it is extremely important for a blogger to restrict himself to a few chosen one of his interest, otherwise soon you will find yourself buried under the loadful of information.
Following is a list of the top feeds, which I have subscribed to at present. These feeds are sufficient enough for me to keep myself abreast with the latest happenings around the areas of my interests, specially for blogging.
The link against each can take you to their subscription.
1. CNET News.com: Focusses on IT -

DoubleClick to Set Up an Exchange for Buying and Selling Digital Ads

Taken from www.nytimes.com
(Click here to read complete acrticle)

DOUBLECLICK, which delivers marketing messages to Web sites and monitors how many clicks they get, plans to announce today that it is setting up a Nasdaq-like exchange for the buying and selling of digital advertisements.

The service may make DoubleClick a more attractive acquisition target, according to advertising industry executives.

DoubleClick, which opened in 1996 as a pioneer in the placement of banner ads online, has evolved into a company that serves — separately — both buyers and sellers of digital advertisements.

Work on Windows XP but feel like working on Vista

Use these freebies to transform XP into an Vista.

Do you feel like longing to have a feel like working on Vista but without spending loads of bucks, then you can use these freebies and load on your old XP to emulate the Vista experience.

You can find all of the free tools and more online at "Add Vista Features to XP."

What's New in Vista -

Desktop Sidebar:It has a handy Windows sidebar with calendars, calculators, a quick link to your media player, and RSS feeds. Similarly the Desktop Sidebar has similar features, with hundreds of add-ons features. Even you can find here a file browser, news updates and an e-mail checking facility.
If it scares yoy and you feel it is too complicated for you, then you can try the simpler LaunchBar Commander.

Vista Start Menu: With this you can create a decent fair imitation of Vista's Start menu.

Visual Task Tips: It is a smart tool, which pops up a preview of the open window in the taskbar.

Folder Marker: With this you can easily customize your folder icons and icon backgrounds with Vista icons.