Good .NET / Java FTP Component (free / open source)

http://www.enterprisedt.com

Mission to Mars: Staying Sane

http://wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/sane.html

With all the virtual reality technology we are developing, it shouldn't be hard to set up virtual "social environments" for the astronauts. Communication delays would probably make it impractical for live video conferencing or virual presence systems, but simulated environments with artificial intelligence may be the answer. Just don a headmount display and off you go to that bar in your home town, watching recorded baseball games on the TV screens and chatting with the bartender. Rather than always having dinner with the same 4 crewmates, invite a bunch of friends to join you all.