So basically, I know how and where to get great virtual camera software for free, but, all my resources are not able to take still-shots.

Does anyone know of good software that can make use of a laptop's camera, or webcam, in order to take still shots or snapshots at variable dimensions?

Manycam sucks, and so does everything else I find. I'm a bit annoyed that I can't find anything, but there is just so much fucking spam on the internet out there to bait idiots that know nothing of PCs who google "webcam software" -you know, those myspace morons and 12 year olds.

windows has this built in.

What..? What is it called?

Go to Scanners and Cameras (it's called that on XP at least) ... Also I think the device shows up in My Computer... Just find your camera somewhere.
If you double-click it, a thing should pop up that shows you what is currently displayed on the camera and have a 'Take Picture' option.. and then let you export that picture.