Software
Here's a list of software I use, I like, and I recommend. Usually OpenSource, sometimes just free, and sometimes shareware that's free to try.Windows XP
GAIMDitch MSN Messager, AIM, ICQ client plus many more for this Open Source client.
Skype
Free telephone calls from computer to computer or cheap (1p/min) calls from computer to landline anywhere in the world. Haven't actually tested this yet but I hear it's good.
EditPlus
Text editor. The best perl / css / raw HTML / c++ editor for MS Windows I've found. It's shareware and costs $30. I am currently editting this page with it.
Cygwin
Linux-like environment for Windows. Required for running Perl in Windows (ActivePerl not recommended if using lots of CPAN modules)
Firefox
Mozilla internet browser. Can't tell you how much I like this. Internet Explorer has lagged so far behind in browser technology. Currently running with many extensions (plugins) that do all kinds of great stuff.
GIMP for Windows
Open source (free) Photoshop-style image editor. I'm currently trying to get to grips with this.
VirtualDub
A very robust, power (GNU GPL) video editor with a basic interface. You cannot do everything with this but what it does it does very well. "Streamlined for fast linear operations".
OpenOffice.org - Office Suite
An Open Source (free) replacement for MS Office, which supports nearly all file formats and functionality. If you use Microsoft Office and looking at paying for the next release, then you should definitely take a look at this. I use this instead of Microsoft Office. You can edit and create Word and Excel documents with this.
Audacity - Audio Recorder
An Open Source (free) audio recorder that Comedy Dhar is currently using to record his podcasts. Very easy to use and works on Windows XP or Mac OS X
Konfabulator / Yahoo! Widgets
Yahoo! recently bought Konfabulator and renamed it to "Yahoo! Widgets". This is basically cool things that float on your desktop and interact with the internet. Well worth a play. I use it on Windows mainly just to display a transparent analog clock, but there at now thousands of widgets available. Seems pretty stable and I did not notice that it slowed my computer at all. Well worth a look.
iTunes - Music, Podcasts and Video
(see Mac OS X section below)
Mac OS X
I'm quite new to the Mac, but these are some of the programs I've been using so far. Often recommendations from others.Adium - Instant Messenger
I use this on my Mac Mini for MSN Messenger communication. Also supports Yahoo chat, ICQ and a few other.
Remote Desktop - Mac Client
This is great for viewing and using my Windows XP laptop in a window on my Mac desktop. I also like VNC, but this is much faster.
NeoOffice - Office Suite
An really nice Mac-looking version of open source OpenOffice software. A great free replacement for Microsoft Office on the Mac.
iTunes - Music, Podcasts and Video
Although this is available for both Windows and Mac, it somehow works better on the Mac. I use this for handling all my podcast feeds, for managing all my MP3 music files and for watching the latest movie trailers. It's quickly become the central repository for podcasts, and does a pretty good job at it. Currently, I'm waiting (and waiting and waiting) to get Comedy Dhar's Podcast onto iTunes.