Not Apache, MySQL or Firefox, but lesser-known apps that serve a particular function very well – a Top Ten of open-source applications you’ve never heard of.

We are not saying you need them for a deserted island, but these incredibly useful gadgets are among our favourite PC essentials.

Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package

This is a pretty decent little webcam – it's just that, without games to fool around with, it feels like a low-end PC webcam plugged into your Xbox. EyeToy this ain't

Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package

Is the next generation flat screen technology worth waiting for?

Decide whether it's finally time to ditch Vista by installing the full working version of Windows 7 Release Candidate. Plus: our digital camera buyer's guide, ultimate laptops and more.

Can you imagine a time when computers didn't have GPUs? Here are graphics technologies that helped take computing out of the lab and into the hands of consumers and professionals

Few people were expecting an iPod like this to arrive so soon after the iPod Shuffle.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas on your iPhone. Here's seven great Christmas-themed apps

As futuristic technology concepts go, 3D screens have been right up there with the teleporter as an aspirational idea that could change the way we see the world, yet the idea still resides in the realm of the science fiction.

With a new Ghostbusters game coming in 2009 and released by original '80s kings Atari, we pay homage to those games that honour the '80s best. Have the '80s become better with age or are just kidding ourselves?

As futuristic technology concepts go, 3D screens have been right up there with the teleporter as an aspirational idea that could change the way we see the world, yet the idea still resides in the realm of the science fiction.