Several software makers sell utility suites -- collections of fix-it, maintain-it, protect-it programs. If you don't care to shell out for a shrink-wrapped box every year or so, you can even "rent" some of this software via the Web.

Your best bet, though, is a boxed suite that includes boot-disks to start your computer if your hard drive dies. Norton SystemWorks 2001 ($59.95; 800-441-7234) is the premier utility suite for Windows, packed with three big-time programs: Norton Utilities, Norton AntiVirus and Norton CleanSweep. The first does the bulk of the work, with tools that fix dinged-up hard drives and repair problems with Windows. AntiVirus keeps computer viruses at bay, while CleanSweep does a nice job scrubbing old software off the computer. A Mac version of SystemWorks is available for $129.95.

The tools in Ontrack SystemSuite 3.0 ($59.95; 800-645-3649) are simpler and thus easier to use than those in SystemWorks. The package includes Fix-It Utilities, a collection of diagnosis and repair programs. The ultra-fast disk defragmenter utility (JETDefrag) reorganizes the data on your hard disk to speed up program-launching and file-loading. The suite also has a virus scanner, a bootable rescue CD-ROM, a data recovery tool, a data eraser (for eliminating sensitive files) and a file manager that can replace Windows Explorer.

If you don't feel like installing more software, the online McAfee.com Clinic includes tools for eradicating viruses and doing some minimal computer cleanup through your Web browser. The price of $29.95 for a year's subscription to the service is steep for what you get, however.

SystemWorks 2001 is the best buy. The tools are superb across the board, particularly AntiVirus, which is the best in the business. In the end, though, it matters less which utility suite you have, and more that you simply have one. Sooner or later, you'll need it.

The new kind of computer mouse -- epitomized by Logitech's $49.95 MouseMan Wheel and Microsoft's $74.95 Intelli-Mouse Explorer -- doesn't have a ball. Instead, it uses lights and a sensor to keep track of movement. Because it lacks moving parts, it stays lint-free.

The Logitech and Microsoft mice are ergonomic and made for the right hand (ambidextrous optical mice are available). Microsoft's more rounded shape gives it the edge on comfort. Both connect to the computer via a USB port or a PS/2 mouse port (with the included adaptor).

They're stylish, too: A blue light on top complements MouseMan's metallic blue finish; the Explorer is silver with a glowing red nose. Both work with Macintosh, but for the Mac you can't beat the $59 optical Apple Pro Mouse, which has ergonomic style and, better yet, no buttons -- you click with the entire body of the mouse.

Octopus.com, a Windows metabrowser that works best with Internet Explorer, has a host of features to help make Web browsing more personal and efficient. You create "views" that contain all the Web pages you want to see. You can create an unlimited number of views, so you could have one for family matters, one for finances and one for news, for instance. With the Power Browse feature, you enter a string of URLs, and all the sites appear on the same page, stitched together so you scroll down to see them all.

Quickbrowse also lets you combine your favorite sites on one page. The myQuickbrowse feature lets you specify the sites you want to compile, and the Newsstand feature checks off the type of content you want to see and the news sources you want it from (choose from a list of major publications).

OnePage takes the best parts from your favorite sites and puts them on one page. If you're always looking for recipe inspiration, for example, you could create a page that has windows from Epicurious, Cooking.com and others.

Yodlee.com provides one-click access to your personal online accounts. You can set it up to display your financial information, e-mail, local news and more on one page.