My list of essential programs every computer should probably have.

These are my personal favorites and I do not mean to imply that any of these programs are a be all end all, so if you think of a better program please make a suggestion.
Most, if not all, of these are, or have freeware or open source versions.

Program Name	Rating
Antispyware	5 stars is max
Adaware	* * *
Malware Bytes	* * * * *
Spybot Search and Destroy	* * * *
Antivirus
Avast Home Version	* * * * *
AVG Free	* * *
ThreatFire	* * *
Audio Editor
Audacity	* * * * *
BitTorrent
uTorrent	* * * * *
Calendar
Mozilla Sunbird	* * * *
Rainlendar	* * * * *
CD Tools
CD Burner XP Pro	* * * *
Cdex	* * * * *
InfraRecorder	* * * * *
Computer Maintenance
Ccleaner	* * * *
CodeStuff Starter	* * * * *
CTFMon Remover	* * *
IE Privacy Keeper	* * *
My Defrag	* *
UltraDefrag	* * *
Email
Pop Peeper	* * * * *
Thunderbird	* * * * *
File Management
FreeCommander	* * * * *
Graphics
Gimp	* * *
IrfanView	* * * * *
Paint.Net	* * * *
PhotoFiltre	* * * * *
ShotGenius	* * *
Instant Messenger
Pidgin	* * * * *
Internet Browser
FireFox	* * * * *
K-Melon	* * *
SRWare Iron	* * * *
Media Players
1 by 1 Directory Player	* * * * *
Divx	* * *
Flash Movie Player	* * *
Media Player Classic – Home Cinema	* * * * *
SMPlayer	* * * *
VLC Media Player	* * * * *
Winamp	* * *
Office
Abiword	* * * *
Foxit Reader	* * * *
Open Office	* * * * *
Sumatra	* * * * *
Plugins
Adobe Air	* * *
Adobe Flash Player	* * *
Adobe Reader	* *
Adobe Shockwave Player	* * *
DirectX	* * *
Dot net Framework	* * *
IE 7 Pro	* * *
Java	* * * *
Quicktime Alternative	* * * * *
Real Player Alternative	* * * * *
Windows Media Player for Firefox	* * * *
Twitter
TweetDeck	* * * * *
Twhirl	* * * *
Utilities
7-Zip	* * * * *
FileHippo Update Checker	* * *
Secunia Personal Software Inspector	* * * *
Update Notifier	* * * *
Volumouse	* * * * *
Weather
Weather Pulse	* * * *