Calculator.NET

I have finally found a functional, free, and (dare I say) attractive RPN calculator for Windows. Do all RPN implementations HAVE to look ugly? I guess I get that impression because too many Tcl/Tk programmers with more time than aesthetic sense seem to get the urge to write their own RPN calc. Anyway, my new favorite is called Calculator.NET . For straight functionality, I would run one of the HP 48/49 emulators, but I have never liked the feel of programs emulating calculators. Emulating an interface designed for dedicated (and size limited) hardware is always a bad idea. You can easily come up with something better suited for the mouse/keyboard interface.

TrueCrypt

One of my new favorite programs is TrueCrypt. It does on-the-fly encryption of disks or psuedo-disks. The interface is slick and easy to use, and it offers several respectably robust crypto algorithms. I have been looking for a good, open-source, on-the-fly encryption program ever since I started carrying a USB flash drive with me everywhere. The thought of losing my drive (with notes, passwords, etc.) on it makes me more than a little nervous. Not anymore. TrueCrypt also runs in "traveler mode", so it doesn't need to be installed on a computer to use it. From what I've seen, this is the best program in its class.