I've used the FT232R in a lot of projects. It's one of the easiest ways to talk to a computer through USB. FTDI has done a fantastic job with the drivers.
In have used the FTDI USB to Serial Converter modules in several comercial products and have never had a failure. One of these products has been in the market since 2003.
The FTDI parts are used in many comercial USB to Serial converters and are built in to sevral pieces of test equipment that I have serviced.