EZGenerator

http://www.ezgenerator.com/ 

I love this WYSIWYG editor.  Though I have access to high-end software and have used them professionally -- EZGenerator is fun to use, easy and the templates are great.  The support is excellent.  I had found a bug and they patched it the next day! Excellent service!

Paint Shop Pro X

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display&pid=1047025487586 

The best image editor for the price range -- even better than some other higher priced ones too!   Unless you are a professional graphic artist, this is the program to use.

Font Labs - Type Tool 2

http://www.fontlab.com/index.php 

Type Tool 2 FontLabs basic font editor.  I highly recommend this program for those (like me) that are just getting started with font creation and for quick font jobs. 

Font Creator

http://www.high-logic.com/fcp.html 

This is a bit-map editor for fonts.   You cannot draw directly into the program, but you can import the images you've created in your image editor.  The best feature of this program is that you do not have to compile the font -- it is done on the fly as you work.  You can also install the font into your fonts folder directly from the program. 

Trillian

http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/ 

A multi-client messager that allows you to be signed into all of your messenger accounts from one program.  It supports AIM, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ and IRC.  The best part is, you do not need to install all those other messenger clients.   You do lose a few useless features that are in your messenger clients such as IMvironments and Audibles.   The features lost are not missed in the least -- in fact, those features just steal resources and are just ad-ware anyway. 

Microsoft OneNote

http://www.microsoft.com/office/onenote/prodinfo/default.mspx 

OneNote is basically a journal/note taking program.  You can draw directly into it with your mouse or tablet, create lists, take notes as if you were using a legal pad and even doodle -- just like if you were using paper.  The cool part is, it's all saved and searchable.   The template offerings from Microsoft are gorgeous -- though sparse at this time.  New templates are added all the time though. 

Right Click

http://www.stardock.com/products/rightclick/ 

Right click has to be the most useful productivity tool around.  When you "right click" on the desktop -- normally you are given the alternative menu.  With Right Click, you customize what is there.  You can have menus, short cuts, commands such as shut down or restart and even do away with the taskbar and start menu entirely!

Window Blinds

http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/ 

Window Blinds is a skinning program for Windows.  There are literally thousands of free templates to download from the web.  You can customize your Windows environment completely - from the shape of windows to the transparency of them.   A lot of fun!

Active Cam

http://www.pysoft.com/ActiveWebCamMainpage.htm 

Active Cam is a web cam utility program that will take snapshots or streaming video from your web camera and post it to your ftp.  You can even record video directly from the program -- with sound!  It offers a setup wizard to help you get started and even has an HTML wizard to create the Live Cam page.  Nifty.

Nero 6

http://ww2.nero.com/enu/Nero_6_Ultra_Edition.html 

Nero is the best CD/DVD burning software out there.  Period.  I've tried many others -- not one even comes close to Nero. 

ScanSoft PDF Professional

http://www.nuance.com/pdfconverter/ 

This software creates PDF files from word processing programs such as Microsoft Word.   Unlike Adobe Acrobat, it is affordable for all.   It may not have every feature of Acrobat, but it has everything you need to convert your files to PDF. 

Spyware Doctor

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/ 

When I first installed this program, I was using various other spyware programs.  Spyware doctor found tons of spyware that the other programs missed.  Though Spyware Doctor used to be sub-par ... they now update it with almost annoying frequency.   Everytime I open it, there are more updates -- annoying yes -- but keeping up to date is of the utmost importance in the war against spyware. 

Registry Mechanic

http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/ 

Safely cleans your registry of orphaned files and even checks your registry integrity.  A great utility by the same company as Spyware Doctor. 

Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/plus/dme/dmehome.asp 

The coolest feature is the dancers.  They could stand to be a bit bigger -- but they are a blast to watch. 

Marine Aquarium 2

www.serenescreen.com 

The ONLY screen saver to have.   I do not use any others. It's a virtual fishtank for your PC!  It is very popular - -for good reason.   No others come close.