Latest Update: 11 June, 2007
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Added Icolor folder (at bottom)
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A Pledge: Every program listed here is something I personally use. (Or alternate between using at various times.) Also, not a single program listed will ever cost you a dime. I will keep updating this post as time passes as I remember/find new cool stuff.

Quit paying for Software. It should be free:
http://www.freeware-guide.com/dir/util/avirus.html

Windows is UGLY: Make it pretty (for free)
http://www.litestep.net/
Update:
I'm finding litestep to be a much better choice than the default windows shell. Even though I have no clue as to how to configure a theme of my own, it doesn't suffer from the problems of Windows. I've noticed that from time to time, my system will come to a screeching halt, and both of my processor cores jump on the upside of 75% usage. Meanwhile, heat profiles reach skywards, and I am left befuddled, as I will have nothing more than an empty desktop. The 3-fingered salute tells me that system idle process has inflated to 40-50% of available processing power, and Services inflate to about 38-48%. My machine sits with nothing running, no applications, and inhales as much as 99% of it's power just to run... er... nothing. I can't even open notepad easily. So far, litestep hasn't had this problem.

Mac is Pretty (but has no software)
Capture the feel:
http://www.osx-e.com/downloads/misc/flyakite_osx.html

Your background windows are annoying, make them disappear: (transparency)
This program has a ton of features as well, enhanced task switcher, live window previews, and you can "roll up" your existing windows!
http://www.nuonsoft.net/shellenhancer/

Your windows still look ugly... give them a shadow:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...z-Shadow.shtml

Your Computer is working right now
Find out how hard. (and get loads of extra cool features)
http://www.samurize.com

Your computer is not secure
(Lock it down now, forever, for life, for FREE!)
http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html
Get the antivirus and the firewall.

Your computer is loading stuff at startup.
Find out what (and disable it if you desire)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
(Run in advanced mode, and the tools section has all your startup info listed.)
(Also, it eviscerates spyware/malware.)

What's going down in the gaming world? Only the important news goes here.
please google "Megagames". I cannot provide a direct link.
(also, lots of demos, shareware and freeware)

Outlook is NEVER a good idea, use this:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird

Need to upgrade your office suite? Need a word processor? Need a good one?
http://www.openoffice.org
90% of the functions of Microsoft's product, at Zero Percent of the cost. Available on MAC, Win32/64, Linux.

IE7 is screwed up. Can't find the forwards/back/home/refresh buttons? Get this instead
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox

Which Console is Dominating? Who's winning this war anyways? Just how "in demand" is the PS3?
http://nexgenwars.com/
Don't Believe their numbers? Look here:
http://www.vgchartz.com/

Your folders are outdated, and they look like it. You should have not only yellow folders, but blue ones too! And Red, Green, Orange, Purple, Grey, and others!
http://icolorfolder.sourceforge.net/