The Software I Use Everyday

Operating System

Microsoft Vista Home Premium- the standard Vista Operating System that comes pre-installed on most computers today, including my computer.

Internet

Firefox- the free web browser of choice for many people. Firefox continually gains market share again Microsoft Internet Explorer every year. Its very customizable with numerous extensions.

Thunderbird - I have to actively check about 6 e-mail addresses everyday (school, work, personal) and this program makes keeping tabs an ease. This is a free program offered by Mozilla and is a great alternative to Microsoft Outlook if you only need it for mail or RSS.

Pidgin- an open source IRC client (aim, google talk. etc...). Very customizable with lots of add-ons and plug-ins.

uTorrent- popular torrent downloading software. If you know what torrents are, I highly recommend this light weight torrent application. If you don't know what torrents, I suggest doing some research before you start playing around with it.

Blogging

Windows Live Writer- Previously mentioned here. A free blogging desktop publisher from Microsoft. Most the posts on this site are written with this program.

Music

iTunes- A standard for most everyone using an iPod. I've been meaning to move my music collection to a different program like Foobar, but just haven't found time yet.

Design

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008- given out through the Microsoft Dreamspark program, its a great programming and web development tool. Has many add-ons and plug-ins to create almost anything.

Macromedia Fireworks 8 - great photo editing software. Older but still not outdated (there is now Fireworks CS3). Tends to run a little expensive. A nice free alternative is the web based Adobe Photoshop Express.

Games/Miscellaneous

Frets on Fire- Guitar Hero like game that allows you to use your keyboard as a guitar to play notes that movie across your screen. (I recommend playing with an external keyboard if you can)

TightVNC- free remote control software combined with Touch Pad Pro to control computer with iPod Touch. (great for watching movies or other media through your computer)

Vista Battery Saver- free through codeplex that helps conserve battery power when computer isn't plugged in. Shuts off the visual battery draining aspects of Vista (Aero and Sidebar).