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I get asked “what software do you use for…” alot, so here is a list of software I recommended for the Windows (XP/Vista) user.

Internet Programs

• Firefox – web browsing (replaces Windows Internet Explorer)
• Thunderbird – e-mail client
• Lightning – calendar
• Filezilla – FTP client
• Pidgen – IM client
• Google Earth – 3-D virtual globe

Office Programs

• OpenOffice – office suite (replaces Microsoft Office)
• PDF Creator – create a PDF via printing
• Notepad++ – plain text editor (replaces notepad)
• Todolist – a free to-do-list application

Security and Anti-Virus Programs

• AVG – anti-virus (free for personal use)
• Malwarebytes – malware removing

Computer System Tools

• CCleaner – Windows system optimization and privacy tool
• 7Zip – file compression and decompression
• Synctoy2 – backup files
• Syncback - backup files (non-free, has very advanced features and very robust)
• CDBurnerXP - CD/DVD burner

Audio/Video Programs

• VLC – media player (plays DVD also)
• Miro – podcast media player
• AnyDVD – DVD ripper (not free)
• Itunes – purchase songs and media organizer (sync with iPhone and iPods)
• Songbird – media organizer (sync with Plam Pre)

Image/Photo Programs

• Picasa – photo/media organizer
• Gimp – Photoshop alternative
• Paint.NET – Photoshop alternative (simpler and easier to use then Gimp)

Internet Tools

• NetStumbler – wifi scanner (war driving)
• Wireshark – network protocol analyzer
• Nmap – port scanner (Windows and Linux)
• Ninite – web based utility to select different apps and have only one install

Most of these are free and opensource.

Here are some other good lists of software :

Lifehacker – 61 Free Desktop Applications, Webapps, and Tools We’re Most Thankful For