MAME 1
The last time we brought you our list of the Web's Best 50 Free Downloads, among the list was ScummVM, the gaming engine for reliving VGA adventure classics like Maniac Mansion. Equally as entertaining is the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, which can load and play arcade games (in the form of ROM files) from classic arcade machines from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Wikipedia claims there to be more than 4,000 unique games that can be played using MAME. Platform: Windows
uTorrent 2
LimeWire may be hugely popular (you can also download LimeWire on the PC Authority Web site), but for those in the know, uTorrent is the essential app in every BitTorrent users' toolkit. The file itself is less than half a megabyte, but BitTorrent users love it for the built-in RSS subscriptions and bandwidth prioritization, so you can avoid maxing-out your download quota during peak hours. In case you're wondering just how useful it is, we have an article explaining how to make a customised uTorrent Season Pass.
Fraps 3
It's often used in the testing and benchmarking of graphics cards, but Fraps also lets you record in-game footage while you're playing. The upshot is the emergence of Machinima - or movies created using in-game video footage. Fraps works with DirectX and OpenGL platforms, and records up to 2560x1600. The free version has a time restriction on the videos, but does the job if you want to record short bursts.
PhotoSynth 4
If you've never seen a 'synth before, head to the Photosynth site to see these sometimes stunning "3D" photographs, made by stitching together lots (ideally, 20-300) of your regular photos. Take your photos, upload them using the Photosynth tool, and viewers can view the entire screen as a slideshow or by clicking different spots in the scene to see it from a different angle. The effect is particularly impressive for grand outdoor vistas, big sporting or festival events, or big group photos of crowds.
OffiSync 5
OffiSync lets you save your documents directly to Google Docs, so you and other people can share them and access them over the web. This has two benefits - first, you get access to your files anywhere on the Web. Second, this app could also be used as a way of backing up your Word docs (if you're not already using a specialised syncing or backup tool). At PC Authority we are heavy users of both Word and Google Docs, and OffiSync allows us to combine the best of both.
Got a favourite PC app? Add your suggestions in the comment box below.