Software
Family Tree Maker
http://www.familytreemaker.com
This is my genealogy research software of choice. With a subscription to 
Ancestry.com, you can conduct searches of U.S. Census records and other primary documents. The software/web site integration is nearly seamless, and the search capabilities are constantly improving.
Google Earth
http://earth.google.com
Google Earth provides searchable satellite images. These can be used to develop maps for genealogical research or just to locate specific localities. Google also offers two premium versions of the software with added capabilities.
