The SHH! Guide to Free Powerful Software!

As always, I am trying to provide everyone here with support on the best applications that you can get, for zero bucks. So this means, all the software, is fully functional with no money being spent. These are not Shareware apps, completely free.

This list is being compiled in groups, depending on functionality.
(These are of course for the Windows Operating system)

AntiVirus​

NOTE: I plead with you, if you do not have antivirus software on your computer, please, immediately download one of the following FREE AntiVirus software applications for your computer. Help make the net safer. Remember, these free antivirus applications tend NOT to be as good as commercial applications, so you might want to spend the money and get a new antivirus application once every 2 years.
AVG AntiVirus
AntiVir Personal Edition
avast! 4 Home Download

Productivity​

OpenOffice - This is your replacement for Microsoft office applications of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Draw (I think MS's graphics drawing program is called Draw....not sure). This software is was designed to also open Microsoft Documents. Unfortunately, there is not a Microsoft Access equivalent on the net somewhere.

Web Browser​

FireFox - This simply in my opinion is the best browser on the market to date. Using its highly secure design, its definately more secure than Microsoft's internet explorer it saves you the hassle of having to constantly scan for Spyware on your computer. its packed with features that are almost the standard now. Tabbed-Browsing is my personal favorite. Firefox is designed by group of volunteers, not by a profiteering company. The next best part about the browser, are the extensions, or plugins. These are additional programs that can be installed in the browser, designed by fans of the browser, that extend its functionality. This is great.
Opera - Another great browser. This is designed by a Swedish company that built it from the ground up. It uses tabbed browsing as well.

Email Clients​

Thunderbird - This is a great new application that I have recently started to use instead of Outlook. It has great JUNK mail filters that learn and adapt to your tastes. It handles both POP and IMAP mail connections quite well.
Eudora - This is an oldie but goodie. Still functions perfectly, but many are not to happy about the interface.

Text Editors​

Crimson Editor - This is a GREAT NOTEPAD alternative. I install this immediately uppon building any new computer. Its tiny (800Kb) and have so many different functions its hard to explain.

FTP Clients​

FileZilla - One of the most powerful FTP clients known. Its only two years old and keeps getting better and better. Can perform SFTP and numerous other functions.

Graphics Viewer​

IrfanView - In my opinion, the DeFacto Image Viewer. It can perform so low powered edits, like cropping and things like that but this is great for viewing a folder of images. You can randomly sort and view them. Unbelieveable amount of configurations. Opens any graphics format available, and even has plugins to play music and video as well.

Graphics Editor​

GIMP - This is the free Photoshop substitute.
Pixia

Music Player​

WinAMP - This is pretty much the defacto MP3 (music) player for windows. When you get the LIGHT version, (that doesnt play video and the like) this is an extremely small program, and its very inobtrusive to your system even when playing.
iTunes - This is a good media player that apple produces.

Video Player Alternatives and Codecs​

K-Lite Codec Pack - A few versions exist, the lite pack and the Mega Pack. The Mega pack includes the media alternatives listed below as well, besides almost every Codec known to man and Media Player Classic below is included.
Media Player Classic
QuickTime Alternative
Real Alternative

Video Editors
​

VirtualDub

SpyWare​

AdAware - Using this in combination with Spybot Search and Destroy will prety much eliminate the Spyware issue.
Spybot Search and Destroy - Using this in combination with AdAware will prety much eliminate the Spyware issue.

Instant Messager​

Trillian - IMO, the best free instant messager client. Granted, it doesnt use its own chat system, you can use Yahoo Instant Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, and IRC with Trillian. It have a free version that is 100% functional, and a paid version, that really just gives you plugins.
GAIM - GAIM is just like Trillian, in its functionality.

Personal Firewalls​

ZoneAlarm - This program almost single handedly invented the personal computer firewall. If you are concerned with security, install the free version. It will take some getting used to, once you get it configured, it trully is an asset.
Outpost Firewall - Agnitum Outpost is the first personal firewall for Windows developed with Open Architecture.
Sygate Personal Firewall
Kerio Personal Firewall

Telnet/SSH Clients​

PuTTY - This is a wonderful little tool when needing to Securely telnet into resources.

PDF Maker​

OpenOffice
CutePDF

Tax Filing​

TaxAct

Windows Icon Graphics Creator​

@Icon Sushi

 

Feel free to gimme examples of great software you guys have used.

 

Lookijng for more software to add people....

 

Added more software.

 

Updated a bit, trying to update quite a bit more

 

Anyone know of other applications that are completely free that fitg in the above categories or are in a category not listed?

 

added firewalls and antivirus software.

 

Included the Media Player alternatives and codecs.

 

I will look into it, but I did a search at one point for free dvd software, and I didnt come up with much.