Ok this is my list of my favorite Free Programs (though you can pay for some)! Also Yay for Open Source!
Firefox-It's the offical nerd success story
mozilla.org
Trillian/Gaim-No matter what operating system you are on these programs are a must for Instant Messaging
Trillian (for windows) Gaim (for everything else)
Open Office-Total Owns Word
Download here!
Spybot S&D 1.4-Well its the best spyware removal tool you can get
here
Skype-Call me @ cdr1122334455 and if you don't have it get it
here
Winrar- No one can compact a file like they do
it owns winzip
VLC Media Player-Its Small, efficent, and plays frigging everything, did i mention its free and Ad less unlike every other media player out there
get it!
WindowBlinds-It's got a lot of ad's and stuff, but its my favorite skinning tool for windows
looks pretty cool
i think thats most of the free programs i use.