Below are some cool links to the best free
 (and legal) software I've found 
(click on highlighted words to download)

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PowerDesk is a great dual pane file manager that can be used as a replacement for Windows Explorer.

 Alzip: the best zip and unzip program I have found. Works with almost all zip and container files. Free.

Gimp: a cool program very similar to Adobe Photoshop which retails for about $600.00.

Nvu: for you web builders this is very similar to Adobe Dreamweaver which retails for $400.00

Open office: this is very similar to Microsoft Office which retails for $150 to $500.00 depending on version.

Spybot Search and Destroy: eliminates spyware and adware for free.

Abiword: similar to Microsoft Word which retails for $110 to $230 depending on version.

AVG: very good and free virus software.

Adaware: removes those pesky background adware and spyware. It's light and free.