@OP. your cricket program was great indeed.
AFA ideas go i opt the following policy:: when i see my requirement or a software i tend to create my own program to do my work. i better it over time and keep a function repository of the new methods and of programming i learn. u should do the same thing.
i will share two prgs i created, : (very tiny but useful) (and do not consider projects here)
Linkgenerator - great tool for browsing forums and downloading pictures.
FileSpider - may be there r lot of file comparision s/w out there but i like mine the best....
recent i was thinking about an auto-reponder primarily for chats in facebook and gmail. and also e-mails as extention.
now before u get me wrong hear this: i have collegues and trainees under me. i am online and they ask me questions. now if i activate this auto responder it will say specified lines like "i am busy. post your question and i will get back to you" etc.
the thing is, if i am working on a problem, it's a distraction and u get the general idea.