Here's a list of useful software.
I give several options because in most cases one piece of software can't do it all.
Please don't ask which one is better, because there's no definitive answer. Everybody has different systems, with different applications installed and also different needs.
But every one of these programs is FREE so you can try as many as you want.
 
ENJOY!  
 
 
Antivirus
 
Compression Software
7 Zip
 
Image Editing
Gimp - Picasa2 - FastStone Image Viewer - FastStone Photo Resizer - Irfan View
 
Video Conversion
SUPER Video Converter
 
Screen Capture
FastStone Screen Capture
 
MP3 Player
Sonique - Winamp
 
Audio Editing
Audacity
 
PDF
PDF Creator - Adobe Reader
 
Video Player
VLC Media Player
 
Clean XP install/Reformat
Clean Install Windows XP
 
Open Source/Freeware Sites
Sourceforge - Fresh Meat - Decent Downloads
 
Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
Spyware Warrior
 
Anti Phishing
Netcraft Toolbar
 
Units Conversion
Convert
 
Hardware Detection
CPU Z
 
DVD Backup
DVD Shrink
 
Old Versions Software
Old Version  
Not all the software here is free, but a useful site for those with older systems.
 
List Of Lists
List Of Lists
Not everything here is free, but is a good link.
 
If you know a useful FREE program and want to share it please PM me with the name, link to download it and a brief description.
 
Also if a link is not working or a program is not free anymore let me know so I can fix it or remove it.
 
"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." Michael Jordan

which of these spyware/adware scanners/removers do you use/suggest?? I have build a system for a client that is having problems with this (her son is a porn fanatic, and I had the pleasure of telling her). She needs something to get rid of the crap she already has on there. I will be able to install it, but she will have to maintain it, so if it is too technically challenging it will lose her. Let me know what you think fits.

Aren't we all?    
Just kidding.
 
I've used AdAware and Spybot, both are good but you have to use both, because one finds/removes things that the other can't.
I don't think they're hard to use but I know we are a little better with computers than the average person.
A good firewall like Zone Alarm should be used also, that way he can be aware when some program is trying to access the Internet.
 
<font color=green>The other line always moves faster<font color=green>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=53481#53481" target="_new">Free Software Links</A>

What I would do is make 2 partitions, do a clean install of windows in one, install firefox, make it the default browser, and set firefox privacy options so it erases cookies, history etc. as soon as you exit the browser. Install the firewall, antivirus, AdAware, Spybot, and any other applications you want for that client, including updates and drivers, and configure them so they're user friendly and the client doesn't have to mess around with them. Then make an image of this partition and place it on the other partition (hidden of course) or burn it in a DVD and place it inside the case. If they have a problem with it or the pr0n screws with windows, you can restore that image and you will not lose time installing everything again.
Just remember to tell them to not save anything they don't want to lose on the system partition.
 
I hope this helps.
 
<font color=green>The other line always moves faster<font color=green>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=53481#53481" target="_new">Free Software Links</A>

<A HREF="http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm" target="_new">dBpowerAMP Music Converter</A> is a useful tool that adds versatile sound file conversion functionality to Windows.
 
<A HREF="http://www.irfanview.com/" target="_new">IrfanView</A> is a batch file converter that supports a wide range of formats.  Useful for getting odd file types into a preferred format without using editing tools like Photoshop or Premiere (gamers like this one for getting funky screenshot file types into JPEG format).
 
<font color=blue>Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.</font color=blue>

Add this to your list for FREE FTP clients ... pretty nice little client:
 
<A HREF="http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/" target="_new">FileZilla</A>

What do you think about Webroot's Window Washer?

Microsoft Anitspyware also works very well... it's free and offers realtime protection.
 
<font color=red> If you design software that is fool-proof, only a fool will want to use it. </font color=red>

I like windex better.    
Just kidding.
I haven't used it, but if it's free and useful just give me a link and a brief description and we could add it to the list.
 
<font color=green>The other line always moves faster<font color=green>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=53481#53481" target="_new">Free Software Links</A>

Yeah somebody recommended it and I'm planning to add it later in the day.
Thanks
 
<font color=green>The other line always moves faster<font color=green>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=53481#53481" target="_new">Free Software Links</A>

I took a look at dBpowerAMP Music Converter, and it looks pretty cool, but there's one thing I didn't like. You have to pay to be able to save in mp3 format.
Since that format is the most popular for music, that means the program won't be free.
 
<font color=green>The other line always moves faster<font color=green>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=53481#53481" target="_new">Free Software Links</A>

Damn, you're right.  I have an older version that's 100% freeware.  Looks like they changed the license for mp3 encoding with the newest version.  That kinda sucks (I'm glad I saved the installer for the older version).
 
<font color=blue>Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.</font color=blue>

here's a really nice usefull cool as hell link..
 
 
www.oldversion.com   you can find OLD VERSIONS of a TON of stuff here, including, yahoo, aim, icq, msn messangers,  AOL versions, Winamps.. and a LOAD of stuff.
 
Rob423
 
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
80gb Maxtor
200gb WD 8mb cache..
Lian-Li PC-60
LiteOn 52X/LiteOn 811s DVD-RW
AMD XP2800+
LeadTek GF4Ti4200 128mb
Hitachi CML174
1GB Corsair XMS PC3200

I added the link to a units conversion tool.
 
<b><font color=orange>Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the bone.<font color=orange></b>

Added CPU Z, can someone tell me if the description is right for it?  
 
<b><font color=orange>Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the bone.<font color=orange></b>

Added DVD Shrink
 
<b><font color=orange>Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the bone.<font color=orange></b>

<A HREF="http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm" target="_new"> The 46 Best-ever Freeware Utilities </A>
 
<pre><font color=red>°¤o,¸¸¸,o¤°`°¤o \\// o¤°`°¤o,¸¸¸,o¤°
And the sign says "You got to have a membership card to get inside" Huh
So I got me a pen and paper And I made up my own little sign</pre><p></font color=red>

alot of good stuff here.
 
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
80gb Maxtor
200gb WD 8mb cache..
Lian-Li PC-60
LiteOn 52X/LiteOn 811s DVD-RW
AMD XP2800+
LeadTek GF4Ti4200 128mb
Hitachi CML174
1GB Corsair XMS PC3200

www.Download.com
 
I know it's not ALL freeware.. but they do list new/old/etc programs that just come out for all areas wether it's audio conversion tools, system utilitys, etc... it's a good site most of the free stuff mentioned above you can just go to www.download.com and retrieve of them.
 
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
80gb Maxtor
200gb WD 8mb cache..
Lian-Li PC-60
LiteOn 52X/LiteOn 811s DVD-RW
AMD XP2800+
LeadTek GF4Ti4200 128mb
Hitachi CML174
1GB Corsair XMS PC3200