Favorite software

I've decided to stand on my soap box and declare to all of you the applications I think you should be using. The ones that come with Windows are crap. The apps I'm going to suggest are all free, easy to use, and better than the ones that come with Windows. And they're free. Pretty cheap. Click on the app name to download it.

For a huge list of the best software and hardware out there, go here.

7-Zip - Free compression utility, so you can extract any compressed archive.
Any Video Converter - Great for converting that video you downloaded off the internet that's in an AVI format to one that works on your iPod.
Audacity - An audio editor. I use this to make my own ringtones (and I'll make you a ringtone if you buy me a Slurpee).
AVG Anti-Virus - When your free year-long Norton or McAfee trials finally end, this is what you should use. The new version 8 has vastly improved over version 7. Use it or I'll send you a virus.
CCleaner - Cleans up garbage and temporary files that slow down your computer.
DoPDF - Pretends it's a printer, and when you "print" to it, it actually creates a PDF of the document.
DVD Shrink - For ripping DVDs to a file that can be converted for use on your iPod using Handbrake or Videora iPod Converter.
Firefox - The only browser that you should use. Better than Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari. Internet Explorer is garbage. Stop using it. And don't try to deny that you use it. My site traffic software shows that many of you visit my site with it.
FoxIt Reader - A less-bloated, open-source PDF reader to replace Adobe Reader.
Hugin - For stitching together panoramic photos.
GIMP - Sort of a free, open-source Photoshop.
HandBrake - Converts DVD files spit out by DVD Shrink to files you can put on your iPod.
ImgBurn - Burns files and folders to DVD/CD.
MediaCoder - Convert any audio/video format to any other.
OpenOffice - A free office suite that is compatible with Microsoft Office.
Picasa - The absolute best photo organizer for your family photo collection, also has some good editing tools.
SketchUp - 3D design and drafting.
Taskbar Shuffle - Lets you shuffle around the open programs showing on your taskbar.
uTorrent - A lightweight BitTorrent client.
Virtual CloneDrive - Mount disc images as though they were real discs.
VLC Media Player - This will open absolutely any audio/video format.
Yawcam - Versatile webcam software that lets you do time lapse, motion sensing, and a lot more, because that's what people buy them for, right?