As much as it pains me to say it, I like Microsoft Defender.  It runs in the background, and does catch some that Spybot and AdAware do not.  And it is free as well.

I use almost the same apps as you and they are the first things installed on my new builds.

I also install almost all of Stardock's Object Desktop, ThinkDesk suite and ObjectDock Plus. I am so much more productive with OD+ and TD and the PC is so much nicer to look at with ODNT.

After that it's task based. I don't reinstall all my old apps. I wait until there's a need and then I'll go for it. I am almost always amazed when I inventory all the stuff on my PC at the junk I've accumulated.

After using Norton security software for about 4 or 5 years, I switched to Windows Live OneCare 1.5 (currently in beta) and have been very pleased with the results (2 or 3 background processes compared to 7 or 8 in Norton).

The backup feature in Live OneCare works well with a second internal or external hard drive to write to. This takes care of file backup.

The 'Tune-Up' feature can be run daily, weekly, or monthly and can be set to defragment, remove temporary or unnecessary files, backup to second drive, and scan for viruses/spyware. The latter also running real-time for constant protection.

One thing Live OneCare does not have is a spam filter, so I rely on the combination of the Comcast filters and Outlook 2003 filters, which do a reasonable job once they learn the settings.

I use Ghost to image the drive which includes XP Pro, Office, Adobe CS2, Nero 6, and Encarta - the foundation of my system. This takes 12 minutes to replace the drive image in an emergency.

While I am not a Microsoft 'fan-boy', I do respect the work done that falls outside of the 'monopolist' stereotype image.

Object Desktop of course!    

Although I have found that PC-Cillin has given no problems and has worked quite well also.

 

I can wipe out 3/4ths of your list by saying these two words: Use Linux.

Although on the Xp side of my drive i use simular programs.

I can wipe out 3/4ths of your list by saying these two words: Use Linux.

I disagree. Linux is perceived as more secure because it's attacked less and power users are the primary user base.

If the same user base that is on MS platforms moved to Linux the default security would be disabled (because it was too hard) and the virus writers would change focus.

um NOD32 for the 1 in 1000 chance i pick up a virus (even though it would be my fault anyways and i can in most times delete it myself by just searching in the registry)

Ad-Aware Personal for occasional scanning of spyware

Registry Mechanic for its "Speed Up Startup" Option...it seems to actually work

MS Office

XnView

Mozilla Firefox

Windowblinds and maybe iconpackager

Winamp

i guess thats it....

Kona,

if you want to see some bugs that have been found in Linux check this out..

http://projects.info-pull.com/mokb/

Thanks. Thing is with linux as soon as a bug is found it is dealt with and fixed. Quickly.

KeePass Password safe with the KeeForm plugin. I couldn't imagine life without them. And they're free which is a huge bonus!

I have most on your list. Here are some others that I MUST have.
Picture viewer - IrfanView (It's free, simple to use, and packs quite a few extras)
Graphics editor - PaintShop Pro (I never got on the Adobe bus and it is probably too late)
Music player - WinAmp (Life without music is pretty dull and this is my favorite player)
Music file converter - Xilisoft Audio Converter (Too many file types and you need something easy and fast to convert them to what best works for you)
Video file converter - Xilisoft Video Converter (same as the last)
Register cleaner - RegSupremePro (Just don't forget to save a backup before you delete)
Financial software - Microsoft Money (clean, reliable, and easy to use)
File mounter - PowerISO (Easy way to mount files to a virtual drive)
Codecs supplier - K-Lite (Free, has all the media codecs you will need, and doesn't require a brain to install)
Video viewer - MS Media Player 11 (I'm sorry but MS has finally got it right)
DVD/CD burner - Nero 6 (I must have 6 different burners but this is the one that has my business)
Desktop enhancer - Stardock (You can never go back to a plain generic desktop)

Software I cannot do without:

Windows XP
Ubuntu

Microsoft Office 2003
Avast! (anti virus)
DesktopX (Bare desktop is the devil. )
CLCL (clipboard manager - go see it, I use it in least once ALL DAYS!)
CdBurnerXP Pro (Better than Nero with cleaner interface.)
Startup Monitor (This amazing TINY program asks if you want to allow program
to register as startup. MUST HAVE!!!! Kills those tiny
annoying system-tray programs!)

Software I can live without but prefers not...
Inkscape (Vector program.)
MlCad (Mike's Lego CAD)
Foxit (Pdf reader)
PdfCreator (Creates fake printer that outputs PDF when "printing")
Trillian (IM client)
Virtual Daemon (CD emulator, for opening those ISO without having to burn it.)

ZTreeWin ....nostalgic for Xtree....

Hey All

This are the Top software I add to my computer and clients computer, All software has been tested by me for more then a Year before installing it on other clients computer..

One thing we need to cover is security, Now there are tons of software out there that could do a good job, But some will slow your computer a bit, some will just not detect all virus opr spyware out there, Now here are some that I have use and work well for me..

For Antivirus solution

NOD32 by ESET is one of the best antivirus software out there, and the good thing about it , is that it has a good virus engine that will detect new virus out there that other security software will fail to detect or give you updates on time, Talking about update, This Software also update itself almost every other 30 minutes to a hour, making sure you are up to date with the latest virus signature..

For Spyware solution

now on this there are a couple of them that are good and bad, and here are the ones i use, Yes Adware is a good software and free sof is spybot search&destroy which i have been using for the past 3 years and have save tons of money cleaning the computer out by technician, that was before i came a technician myself, Now i have discover a new software that offer real time protection and works really good, Is call Spyware Terminator , Now this is a new software that I think has been out for less then 2 years or even less if im not mistaking, Now this software is the best out there when it comes to spyware cleaner, This is the only good spyware program out there that offer a real time monitor, Something that is crucial , Having a realtime monitor running on your computer will save you time and money, by detecting the spyware as soon as they come into your computer, giving you the option to clean it out before it even has a changce to install itself on your computer..

Other good spyware software that i have use and tested

spybot search&destroy
adware
spyware doctor

as for firewall, Really aint much to say about this, But this is the way I see it,

Me personaly I dont like to use anyother firewall software then the one build into Windows XP SP2, now some of ya may be thinking, Well I am crazy for using windows xp built in firewall, But ever since service pack 2 was realease to Windows XP user, It has been helping me out a lot, that i even uninstall Zone Alram , that is how secure i feel about windows XP firewall, But then again this advice is only for homeuser and not business/commercial which are requiere to use a security software and hardware to keep there computer and clients data safe..

Now that we have gotten the security section taking care of, lets see what I have for ya in computer maintenance.

now the first thing we want to do after installing our OS on out computer is to create a backup and recovery process for out computer, Now this is the only to software I will recommend to anyone out ther and that me personaly have been using for more then 4 yrs. this software are call Norton Ghost and Norton Go back...

The reason I like norton ghost is because it lets me make a exact image of my computer, and be able to save it to a cd,dvd or external hard drive, So if your computer crashes or your hard drives fails , you could use the image that norton ghost created for you to reinstall all your application and updates back to the way there were when you first got it,

The other one will be GoBack by Norton as well, Now this program is pretty nice and have safe a lot of work for tions of my clients, This software will create a restore point by itself or when you choose to, always best to create a restore point before installing something in to your coputer, regardless of what it is, go ahead a disable the Windows built in Restore feature and use the norton goback, you be happy you did.

now that we have cover the back up and restore process now lets cover a little more about keeping your PC error free. this utility is a must have to keep your pc clutter and problem free..

CCleaner is a good program to help you clean your computer of temp file that hide all over your computer, Now this programs will clean all temp folder in your computer, all cookies and internet files, Making your computer run much faster and being that cleans out your temp forder and internet folder, It will also delete and virus or spyware that may be install in your computer and hidding there . it also we help you clean out your registry of bad or not so use registry entries, also will help you out clean miss shortcuts that are missing or dont lead to no where..

and here is a final say to keep your pc error free , follow all instruction ..

run a virus scan everynite if you can, I leave my computer on 24/7 and it has been like that for the pass 5 years and never gave me any problem, I do turn it off atleast once every week for about 2 hrs to let it rest,

run a virus scan every week if you can, best if you run it everyday, Mines runs everyday by itself at 2am,so does all my other security and maintenance software , that way it wont get in my everyday work on the computer.

once your finish running a virus scan, go ahead and run a spyware scan, then run the maintenance utility and to finish it up, run Windows Disk Defragmenter and you and your computer should leave happy after all.

advice here is offer only by mean and to all my clients, There are tons of different software out there and way people like to set up their computer, But my advice I have giving to you to has help all my client and retunign clients has fallen down by 70 percent unless they had a hardware issue, but none ever came back for any other problem, So if this advice works for me and them, then it might work for you..

love ya all
Mike
www.thirty5tech.tk