I recently downloaded and started playing with Pd (written by Miller S. Puckette, the same chap who started Max/MSP).
For reference, these are some good sites to learn about Pd and download loads of goodies to extend its functionality:
The community-run Pd portal
py/pyext: Python script objects (for MSP too)
GridFlow A Multidimensional dataflow processing library for [...]
Ice, as it’s known, appears to be a relatively new competitor in the middleware communications layer. They compare its performance to TAO and come out better in many respects. It’s always easy to come out better than DCOM since that only runs on Windows! Although they boast a nice package list, it nevertheless appears very [...]
The following are three major extensions for bookmark synchronisation if you have Firefox installed across multiple computers:
Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer (via their servers)
Bookmarks Synchronizer (FTP) (via your own FTP server)
Google Browser Sync (using the Google toolbar, does more than bookmarks, via your Google account)