With the economy in tough shape, the Today Show asked me to come up with four back to school tips that won't break the bank. I decided this was an opportunity to include free, top-notch, open-source software, a topic that has rarely gotten major play in the mainstream media. You can see the video here.

Originally designed by Intel as part of a series of "smart" toys for kids, the $99 QX line of microscopes gave unprecedented power to kids. The hardware is excellent, with the ability to zoom in up to 250x on slides and live specimens. Users can choose between lighting from above or below the specimen. The scope works either in its stand or can be hand held.

There are so many ways to screw up a working computer. Getting hit with a virus suck. But, there are other ways. Spyware, even badly behaved programs can put you into meltdowns that can't be resolved by anything but a reinstall.  With kids going back to school, this is an ideal time (before the rush of homework assignments) to make sure that you're backed up!