This page is a repository of the online and software tools that I use. It is by no means exhaustive or representative of the best offering in its given category. These are the tools I have foundto get the job done in the way I need it done.
Hardware
Zalman/IODD Virtual Optical Disc Drives - IODD makes them, but Zalman has the American distribution. You can read my write up on mine HERE
SpinRite - Yes, there are ways to kick a disk into gear with dd and afew other Unix commands, but sometimes you just need to set it and forget it and get a little feedback from the process.
NirSoft - This guy pretty much creates all the tools that should be built into Windows and Sysinternals has not addressed. I have use more than the list below, but theses are the ones I use most frequently.
Sysinternals - All the things that should be built into Windows, so Microsoft bought them.
YUMI Multiboot - I don't use it too much anymore, but have found it to be the best bet on stubborn machines where I need multiple tools still.
KeePass Password Safe - Open-source self-managed password vault. Can sync via FTP or just run from Dropbox.
Turnkey Linux - They have a plethora of turn-key solutions. Makes it so easy to just fire up a VM and see if it is gonna work for you.
Snip - Really nice screen-snipping software from Microsoft Garage. I really want them to replace Snipping Tool with this. Would make snipping stuff on whatever Win10 machine I find myself at completely painless.
SyncToy - File sync/backup tool made by Microsoft. Build you jobs and setup a scheduled task and forget it.
Directory Opus - Excellent Windows File Explorer replacement that is well worth the money.
Cherry Tree Notes - Winth Microsoft acting-a-fool with OneNote lately I have been searching for alternatives. Cherry Tree is a rather solid one if you have a good syncing solution.
Next Cloud - My Dropbox was getting rather full with wargame manuals and resources so I went looking for a self-hosted alternative rather than shell out for what is essentially cold storage with the odd 'need it right now' request. I am currently running the VM on my HTPC until FreeNAS gets VMs more stable. Working awesome so far! You can map to shares so I have Dropbox-like access to my entire FreeNAS share.