The best FREE software you will actually use

With Christmas right around the corner, we should be spending more on each other and less on software we don't need.  I know lots of people pay for software they can get for free, just because they didn't know a free alternative exists.  So here is my list of the best FREE software:

Paint.NET is a free Photoshop alternative for Windows computers.  The user interface is very similar, it supports layers, and is $400 cheaper than paying for Photoshop.

OpenOffice.org is a free alternative to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.  The best part is that the files are interchangeable, meaning if you save a file in OpenOffice, your friend can open it using Microsoft Word and vice versa.

A great online alternative (you use it in your browser instead of downloading software) is Google Docs.  While not as powerful as Open Office, Google Docs is accessible from any computer.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free add-on for windows that now includes Anti-virus protection.  Previously Microsoft only provided anti-spyware with windows, but their latest security add-on now includes anti-virus.  No need for the average user to pay for anti-virus software any more.  Another free alternative is AVG.

Doro PDF Printer lets you turn any document into a PDF.  If you can print it, you can PDF it.  After installing Doro PDF Printer, when you go to print something there will be an extra printer called "Doro PDF".  Just select this printer instead of your usual printer and it will save your file as a PDF.  There are many great free "PDF Printers" around, but I chose this one because it is a one step install.

Livewriter is a great and free way to compose blog posts.  It works with both Wordpress and Blogger blogs. It is more intuitive than the online composers provided by Wordpress and Blogger, but is only available on the computers you install it on.

Foxit PDF Reader.  When windows has stalled or crashed, too many times I have found Adobe Reader to be the problem.  I also get annoyed when Adobe Reader asks me to update every 3 days.  Foxit Reader is an extremely fast "no bloat" alternative to the ubiquitous Adobe Reader.

CCleaner is a free registry cleaner for windows.  Sometimes when your computer gets slow, it's because a bunch of old programs have junked up your registry.  This free program cleans it all out so your computer runs fast.  There are many junk programs that say they do this, CCleaner is the real thing.

Chrome and Safari 4.  If you are still using Internet Explorer to surf the web you are wasting your precious time.  I posted about this here in the BlogStar community.  Independent tests have shown Internet Explorer to be 3 times slower than Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.  So why do the majority of internet users still use it?  Because they always have.  Some people don't switch because they are worried they will lose their bookmarks and settings.  Anytime you install a new browser it will import your old settings from Internet Explorer.  I personally don't care for Firefox because it requires an update almost every week.

Hopefully this list can save you some money this holiday season.  Is there a free piece of software you love that I missed?