Paid and free and open-source software (FOSS) and data do not have to work in isolation. One example is the USGS ArcGIS Toolbar (for versions 9.3 and 10) that allows users to seamlessly download data from the USGS into ArcGIS.
As stated on the USGS website:
"The purpose of the enhanced tools are to allow the user to define an area of interest (AOI), select products or options for downloading products, and then download the product to a local disk. The capabilities available in ArcMap would allow for more client options: add preview, index and outline layers, template selection, reprojection, and import the downloaded products into the current map overlay. All of this can be done without leaving the ArcMap environment. With the functions included with the ArcGIS toolbox, users may allow for client-side scripting, model-building, and easier integration in local ArcGIS based development."
It beats hopping from different websites, waiting and moving downloads, checking your e-mail, and all of those other activities preventing you from getting work done!
Check it out here and give it a try!: http://cumulus.cr.usgs.gov/toolbar.php
