Computer News
Tom's hardware - PC magazine - PC world - Computer World -
HW zone (Hebrew) - Engadget - Gizmodo
Security Programs
PCtools - has a good free firewall.
Avast, is a good free anti-virus that even works on vista.
Multimedia
VLC player - is the best and most versatile media player around. Obviously its open source
Real alternative and Quicktime alternative - are programs that allow you to play these formats without bowing down to their evil corporate masters.
DVD stuff
DVD shrink - is a good software to archive dvds.
DVD decrypter - is a good ripping tool that gets rid of marcrovision and regions.
Auto Gordian Knot - is an open source program that converts a dvd into an avi file.
Graphics
Paint.net - started as a class project, but is now a fantastic, simple to use, open-source drawing utility!
Interfacelift - is a site with great backgrounds for your desktop.