SiN

another vote for Messenger Plus here...
(without installing the sponser-crap he added in the latest version of course)

and winamp...that's a given. version 2.x of course.

what else...indispensible...

/me goes looksee what she's got installed..

i recently reinstalled my Windows and i'm trying to keep this install clean, so it really will only be what i need...

QuickSFV-
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Mouse/4668/

CDCheck -
http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/news.php

DirLister
http://freeware.prv.pl/

GSpot
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Renamer
http://www.albert.nu/programs/nav.htm

that stuff, and video/audio codecs from the GordianKnot codec pack, are all that i have that would be considered 'freeware'.

my general tendency is to just use the best tool for whatever, whether it be 'Freeware' or 'Payware'.
i don't use 'freeware' as a choice criteria, just happens that there ARE some good freeware utils.

__________________