My recommendations:
    i.e. where I go for answers.

Langa List

Looking for someone to just give you answers?  Fred Langa writes a great bi-weekly newsletter that has answered many of my questions. (Or led me to think of more questions.)  He covers Windows security issues, hardware solutions and how to get the most out of your computer.

FREE and SPAM-PROOF! CLICK to sign up for Fred Langa's award-winning e-newsletter. You'll see how to get LOTS more from your hardware, software, and time online!

Shields UP

Want to know how 'safe' your computer is when you connect to the internet?  Let Steve Gibson tell you more than you want to know about how unsafe your internet connection may be.  But he doesn't stop there, he explains the reasons and how to fix your connection.  A must visit site!  I used it at work to secure the computers from intrusion.

Internet Connection Security for Windows Users
 by Steve Gibson, Gibson Research Corporation

PCMech University

Looking for an great all around site?  Make sure you read about how to shopvac your registry to improve performance.  I use the forums to get quick answers to my technical problems.

OuterTech.com
    Are you a power user, edit graphic files, play 3D games or use a CD Writer?  Try Outertech's Cacheman to improve your performance.  Cacheman is a utility which tweaks the disk cache settings and prevents frequent swapping of the data to disk resulting in an improved performance and stability.
    This utility is safe as it provides an easy way to change windows settings.  It doesn't load any unneeded garbage and doesn't mess with the registry.  I use it at work to keep the whiny power users happy.  They are big fans now.
    A word about the rest of the site.  Use caution.  They have several good recommendations but some are short on information.  Some can cause problems if you don't take the proper precautions.  I recommend Cacheman as a wonderful product but the rest are at your own risk.