Windows 2000 Server and Client and Windows XP support is ending July 13, 2010. Are you aware of all the resources available to help you move to a new client and server operating system?

Now when Microsoft states that an Operating System “dies” on a certain date, it means they will no longer provide security updates to that specific system. You can still get the updates via the Out of Band extended service, but that is generally reserved for I.T Professionals in environments that can not upgrade due to third party application limitations.

So what would be my advice? Upgrade to Windows 7.

It offers all the speed of Windows XP, and improves on the terrific security features of Windows Vista. Completely win/win in my books. I have been using it for roughly 19 months already, and I love it. Those of you on Windows Vista won’t notice a dramatic difference between it and Windows 7, but you will get work done faster than ever before.

The inevitable is simply happening to an 8yr old Operating System. It is being phased out. Should we be shocked? Not at all. This is the normal lifecycle of software.

Make the upgrade to Windows 7 when you are able to, but don’t put it off until it is too late…

It is about that time of year where I list my Top 10 must have applications.

This year, the top 3 programs haven’t changed, but boy oh boy, the rest have some exciting benefits to every day computing.

1. Firefox – This is my go to default web browser. I prefer it over Internet Explorer and Google’s Chrome offering for very simple reasons. The Ad Block Plus extension removed all advertising from websites, letting me see just the content I want to see. Also the InFormEnter extension allows me to fill in forms with a simple click of the mouse. No more typing in redundant information 50 times a day.

2. 7-Zip – While being the best archiving program currently available, it is also FREE. It will “unzip” just about any file format that you could possibly need.

3. Smart Defrag – Handy little tool that will defragment your hard drive much faster than the built in Windows utility. A quick optimize twice a month will make your hard drive happy.

4. CCleaner – Clean out your system without messing up precious application settings. Can it get any better than that? Well.. maybe if it hand fed you ice cream while doing it I suppose.

5. FileZilla – Do you manage your own website? Hate paying for an FTP client, or having one with less than stellar features? Well download Filezilla and thank me later. This FTP client makes uploading and changing web content a snap. And it is free.

6. Office 2007 – While I normally do not recommend paid software, Microsoft has finally got it’s Office platform near perfect. You can get your regular email, schedule meetings, edit contacts, send out mailing lists, and setup tasks you may have. It also includes a handy memo pad for those addicted to post-it notes. And that is just the Email client. Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher.. the list goes on for terrific time saving applications within one suite. If you don’t have it already.. get it and start being more productive.

7. Kaspersky Anti-Virus – Anyone will tell you I love this Anti-Virus program. It has a quick, robust scanner that impacts system resources very little. There are daily definition updates so you never get caught by emerging threats. If you have malware issues, give me a call to get Kaspersky installed immediately.

8. G.I.M.P – If you like Adobe Photoshop, then imagine a full featured image editor that costs nothing. G.I.M.P is absolutely fantastic. I love the floating windows and toolbars as well. Give it a try.

9. Notepad++ – This is one program I could not live without. It is a complete Windows Notepad replacement that offers everything from line numbering to word highlights. If you ever used the default Windows Notepad and felt like it was made in the 70′s, then enter 2010 with Notepad++. You’ll thank me later.

10. VLC Media Player – This open source video player will let you want virtually anything without having to search for all those mystery “codecs”. It is fast, lightweight, and can view everything in HD. And it is free.

Those are my Top 10 Applications that I simply can’t do without. Give one a try, or give them all a try. Why not? What do you have to lose?