No this isn't about a great new site for free software or programs, sorry. 
I wonder how many members of the community have free software and programs that they have picked up over the years and used the heck out of and haven't took the time to consider what went into making that software available. I know that I haven't.
I came across Stardock, WinCustomize and all this great software about five years ago. At the same time a found other free software/programs that people were skinning for that just went great on the desktop and have been using the heck out of.
For what ever reason, today was the day that the light bulb lite up over my head and I thought about this. A piece of free software that I have been using just had been updated and it cost me nothing. Of course I started to try and figure out just how does that work. I didn't pay for the program and I get updates without even thinking about it. The head started to hurt!
With a little help, from another member of the community, I realized that the folks making the free stuff will take donations, go figure.
So, do you donate to the folks whose free software and programs you are using?
The why we should I think is pretty clear.
Oh and SysMetrix is a great little program, give it a try if you haven't 
http://www.xymantix.com/sysmetrix/
I made you read the whole thread before I told you what the program was, shame on me. 