Freeware

Base Package

• Mozilla Firefox - free web browser
• OpenOffice - office productivity suite
• SSH Secure Shell - terminal and file transfer for communicating with server
• X-Deep/32 - X server to use with SSH, be sure to use multi-window mode
• AOL Instant Messenger - popular instant messaging client
• AIM Ad Hack - removes the annoying advertisements from AIM
• WinAmp - clean, stylish mp3 player
• VideoLAN - DVD player, be sure to use the skin
• Sharecrow - another DVD player
• PDF Speedup - speedup adobe reader
• MikTex - latex typesetting engine that generates pdf documents
• TeXnicCenter - graphical front-end for MikTex
• LeechGet - download manager that opens multiple connections
• ExtractNow - small utility that decompresses many types of archives
• ZoneAlarm - software firewall that lets you block your programs from the internet
• Flash Player - allows web browsers to display dynamic content

Powertoys

• ObjectDock - MacOS launchbar for Windows
• ISORecorder - a wizard to burn ISOs by right-clicking
• ArtTray - makes minimized windows go to the system tray
• Novell NetDrive - maps an FTP site to a network drive
• 3D WindowsXP Screensaver - beautiful 3D screensaver with transparency
• Virtual Desktop Manager - provides four virtual desktops
• Weather Watcher - displays temperature in system tray
• Windows Resource Kit - contains a screensaver that does a logout instead of lockout
• Logon Studio - change the windows logon screen

Extras

• Octave - Matlab replacement, missing some amenities, but functional
• Mupad - a good CAS, but can't compete with Mathematica
• Audacity - simple sound editor, get the LAME encoder with this
• dBpower Amp Music Converter - versatile music conversion utility
• JAlbum - resizes images and creates a thumbnail gallery
• AnalogX Virtual Piano - allows you to use your PC keyboard as a piano
• MIDI Yoke - creates virtual MIDI ports so Virtual Piano looks like a MIDI piano
• Gimpshop - advanced image editor
• Paint.NET - layered image editor