Everyone has their favorite configuration and set of applications once they install a fresh install of their favorite OS. I’m going to catalog the ones I prefer to use for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Some are free, some are not. Many of the non-free applications have free counterparts or similar applications.

Check out the list after the break.

Mac OS X

  1. Mozilla Firefox – An essential component of each of my systems. Fully extendable, quite secure, and updated regularly.
    • Addons – Gmail Notifier, Adblock Plus, Adblock Filterset G Updater
  2. AdiumX – A multi-protocol IM client. Basically the Mac counterpart to Pidgin (formerly GAIM)
  3. Skype – A popular VOIP client. Lets you make free calls with your computer.
  4. Remote Desktop Client / VNC – Allows you to view and control the screen of any other computer with Remote Desktop Service or a VNC server running.
  5. Senuti – A nice piece of software which allows the backup of your iPod to your computer.
  6. SynergyKM / Synergy – Lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating systems, each with its own display, without special hardware. SynergyKM adds a GUI.
  7. Microsoft Word / NeoOffice – Basic Office applications (word processor, spreadsheet editor, presentation editor, etc)
  8. Smultron – A mediocre text editor for OS X. It its defense, it is free.
  9. Adobe Photoshop – The best image editor and graphic design tool on the market. Some claim it’s better on a Mac, but I’ve noticed very little difference.

Windows

  1. Symantec Anti-Virus – Unfortunately, with a more popular OS like Windows, you need good virus protection. My AV of choice is Symantec Anti-Virus. I don’t buy the whole suite, just the AV. Other free AV programs are just as good. AVG is a popular one.
  2. Ad-Aware – A good spyware scanner, though it doesn’t always get everything. Use in conjunction with Spysweeper for better coverage.
  3. Mozilla Firefox – Again, one of the most secure browsers for Windows. The new beta is incredibly stable and secure, too. I use the same addons as above, but one more: IETab.
  4. Notepad++ – Tabbed text editor with great syntax highlighting and line numbering. Extendable.
  5. Windows Live Messenger / Pidgin / Trillian – Several good IM clients.
  6. Synergy – Synergy with a GUI for Windows.
  7. Adobe Photoshop – The best image editor and graphic design tool on the market. A good free alternative is Paint.NET.

Linux

  1. Mozilla Firefox – Usually the default browser on Linux systems, but beats out competitors like Konqueror due to its extendability.
  2. GKrellm – A system monitor which displays network usage, disk usage, memory usage, e-mails, and more. Extensible.
  3. K3b – The best CD and DVD burner for Linux. Comparable to Nero or Toast on Windows or OS X.
  4. Amarok – Music manager and player for KDE. Has iPod support and support for album artwork, lyrics and other plugins.
  5. Synergy – Command-line only version of Synergy.

What about you? Do you have any applications that you just HAVE to install upon having a fresh install of our favorite OS? Leave them in the comments.