This is the software tools I'm using actively. Those tools are definitely indispensable to me. For the purpose of archiving as well as sharing my beloved tools, I'm publishing the tool list here.

I'm expecting to update this list constantly in the future. Detailed explanations will follow shortly.

• EVERYDAY TOOLS
• Text Editing: Notepad2, Notepad++, e-texteditor, Vim, DarkRoom (I rarely use Vim nowadays, but I still install it partly due to the muscle memory. Another reason is to keep the hard learnt skills in Vim not fading away from me. It surely will be remaining as the default text editor of *nix systems for another several decades.)
• Command line: PowerShell, CygWin
• Launchy and skins
• Sysinternals tools
• FolderShare
• Synergy
• Foxit Reader
• Zoom Player
• Vista Codec Package
• Skype
• MSN Messenger (Miranda IM)
• Total Commander
• TimeSnapper
• Firefox
• ImgBurn
• Switcher
• Paint.NET
• CCleaner
• TrueCrypt
• Magical Jelly Bean KeyFinder
• Babylon 5
• Microsoft Office 2007 (Word 2007, Excel 2007, Access 2007, Powerpoint 2007, OneNote 2007, Outlook 2007, Visio 2007)
• A DEVELOPER'S LIFE
• Visual Studio 2005
• Lutz's Reflector
• TestDriven.NET
• Query Express
• WatiN Test Recorder
• WinMerge
• Jeff Key's Snippet Compiler
• Ruby and Watir
• ACADEMIC WORKS
• MiKTeX
• WinEdt
• Matlab
• OPTIONAL TOOLS
• ImageMagick
• InstantBoss

Java related software are not included because I'm getting some Microsoft fevers lately for preparing myself for my coming corporation job, which, suggested by the job title, apparently is a Microsoft heavy one. Don't get me wrong though, I still love Java very much. And I'll also keep my Java skills sharp. Those experiences were, are, and will be the most precious for me.

A final note. Wiping out an old OS and going through all those hassles again is never a good user experience. I would recommend everyone backup a disk image with Acronis TrueImage right after installed all software and updates.