I came across another useful windows desktop manager, VirtuaWin and this one is good, and free. It stays out of your way, uses few resources and has good hot key configuration support.

Links to a couple helpful programs I found recently:

• RocketDock - a Windows version of the fancy Mac docking bar.
• StickyPad - allows you to put persistent sticky notes on your desktop.

Both are free, of course.

OpenProj is an OpenSource free alternative to MS Project.

It provides Gantt Charts, Network Diagrams (PERT Charts), WBS and RBS charts, Earned Value costing and others. I have not used MS Project all that much but the interface seems very similar so I would imagine that even a seasoned MS Project expert would feel comfortable using OpenProj.

OpenProj will read and write native MS Project files so you won’t lose what you have already created.

Originally a commercial product, OpenProj runs on Linux, Unix, Mac or Windows desktops.

Next time I need some more hard-core project planning software, I am going to spend some quality time with this one.

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) can be a very handy tool when you have more than one desktop box you need to work with, especially when Remote Desktop is not available (you don’t want to pay for the Windows upgrade that has the server component). Fortunately there is a good free option for Windows, Ultra VNC.

There are some tools that are so simple, yet they have a profound effect on your daily routine. Launchy is one of those tools.

I never really used virtual desktops until I spent some time using Kubuntu; from then on I have found them to be an indispensable part of my workspace. When I switched back to Windows XP I found myself really missing the multiple desktops. I did some searching and tried out a few free options that are not really even worth mentioning until I came across DeskSpace from Otaku Software. It is unobtrusive, attractive and just works.