
Pidgin
Pidgin is the multi-service instant messaging client par excellence. It's ready to connect to 16 chat networks, including MSN, Yahoo!, ICQ, AIM, IRC and Google Talk, yet integrates them all into a clear, faff-free user interface, allowing you to converse with chums and colleagues without having to remember which network they're on.

Reg Rating 85
Price Free
More Info and Download Pidgin

Skype
Skype is the de facto standard for making voice and video calls over the internet. Talking to friends and family is free if they use Skype too, but you can also use it to call mobile phones and landlines at a fraction of the rate the major network operators charge, especially if you're calling overseas. Or, as we do, to ring home from hotel rooms when we're travelling. The only thing you can't do is rely on it to make emergency calls - no broadband, no phoning. But for everyday use, it's unsurpassed.

Reg Rating 80
Price Free
More Info and Download Skype
COMMENTS
iTunes, WTF??
<-- for stinking up your list with that Jobsian PoS.
(Apart from that it's a pretty good selection of freeware. But you really should have had Picasa in there somewhere.)
itunes????
sorry, all cred lost now. this is the biggest POS ive ever used. seriously, its got so many issues its untrue. its only good on a mac. ive seen less harmful viruses than this shit.
iTunes? Surely some mistake
iTunes = RealPlayer for the 2000's
It's not free software, it's malware.
dont forget
Paint.NET, Notepad++, 7ZIP, Firefox, Comodo Firewall?
And WTF with iTunes. Id rather boil my scrotum than use itunes.
NiNite
Shocked that you didn't bother to mention http://ninite.com/
You can install most of these apps, in one single go, without the fear of missing "install Yahoo Toolbar?" prompts...
I would also question why any sane person that's locked into Itunes would want that horrid crap when something like MediaMonkey is SO much better...
