Strangely, when I first started using computer software over 30 years ago, virtually none of it was free. Linux wasn't even a thought yet. Word processors really weren't either for that matter. As I was making this list, I realized that with the exception of Windows Vista and the Microsoft Office suite, all the software I use is free. By far, the software I use the most is free. For a living, I do Java software development using Eclipse as my Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which is free. I test using the Apache 2.2 web server and the Tomcat servlet container - both again are free. Much of my other editing is done using EditPad Pro, which isn't free, but has a free little brother that I did use for a number of years. I browse the web using Firefox (or Internet Explorer when forced to). Even this web site was put together using free software in the form of HTML-Kit build 292 to write the pages, IrfanView to handle the images, and Apache 2.2 (running under Xampplite for the Windows testing and Ubuntu Linux for the web site. If you don't know what most of those are, don't fret. I won't be asking you to take a quiz. I won't dwell on the programming-specific software either. Instead, this section is dedicated to the free software that I use often if not daily, and that I hope you find useful as well.
First, I'm going to start off with a simple list with short descriptions. As I get time, I will do reviews of some of these, but for now, it's just a list.
AIM - AOL Instant Messenger The original and still very useful instant massaging program from AOL. The main reason I use AIM is everyone I want to chat with is on AIM. That's sort of self-fulfilling, but that's the way it is. There are some other programs that offer AIM interactivity such as Pidgin and Trillian. There are also alternate chat clients (that don't work with AIM) like ICQ (the grand-daddy of online chat) and Yahoo Messenger. The others work, but the people I need to chat with don't have those clients. AIM works and over time is getting better. You know a method of communication is getting ubiquitous when it's on email signatures and business cards. The latest version even understands if I drop a file on a chat window that I probably want to transfer it to that user.
ALZip - ZIP File Program Everyone who uses the Internet needs a ZIP file to expand and unbundle files they've downloaded. Windows XP and Vista can open ZIP files if you click on them, but I still prefer a standalone program to un-ZIP archives and to create new ones. There are a number of free ZIP utilities out there, but AlZip is one of my favorite free programs. One thing you will probably want to change upon installation is the preference named "Create new folder." It is found on the Tools -> Preferences -> Context Menu dialog. Uncheck it if you don't like all your new folders to be named after birds rather than New Folder. WinRAR is still a superior program to AlZip, but WinRAR is not free. WinRAR can open things that AlZip can't, however.
CDex - CD Audio Extraction There are quite a few audio extraction programs out there to turn your audio CDs into MP3s that you can play on your iPod, in-car MP3 player, etc. WinAmp, listed below, is one of those. So it Microsoft's Media Player. CDex is at version 1.70 beta 2 and has been for years, and it's not clear that any development or updates are being done for it. That said, it has some of the most flexible and extensive configuration of the audio encoder that I've found. The variable bit rate recording even manages to capture the most dynamic, stubborn audio tracks. I've tried others, but I keep coming back to this one.
CSDiff - File Difference Analysis This one might not find a home in many people's kit, but I use it fairly often both for personal and professional use. This program just compares two text files and shows the difference between them. Of course, this only makes sense if the files were related in the first place. The program can also compare two directories and show which files in those directories are added, deleted, modified or the same. Where this comes in handy is if you are editing text files like HTML files and you realize you need to revert back at least part way to a backup version. This program will show all the difference between the two. I use it a lot to find out the differences in Java code that I'm about to check into our source code control system. If you don't think you'd have a need for this, you probably don't. Don't sweat it.
EditPad Lite - Text File Editor EditPad Lite is a very good, general-purpose text editor. It makes a wonderful replacement for Notepad. It has very good search and replace tools, extensive undo and redo, allows a large number of text files to be opened in tabs simultaneously. The program is perfect for opening readme and other text files that area released with drivers and programs. I used EditPad Lite for a couple years, but eventually found that I needed some of the features only found in EditPad Pro - most notably the regular expression search and replace and the hexadecimal editing. If you're a programmer, the syntax coloring and highlighting in the Pro version makes it worth the $50 price tag, but for everyday use, the Lite version will serve you well.
Firefox - Web Browser Firefox is by far my favorite web browser. The new 3.5 version feels faster than the previous versions, and the extensions make it indispensable. My list of must-have extensions is: