[Caerydd]

I also recommend Quicksilver (launcher/tool of many uses), Transmission (torrent program), TextWrangler (although smultron may be better.)

I use something called Scrivener for my writing projects, but it is paid software. I tend to use firefox, as I do web design and having many different browsers is very useful! Also highly recommend Cyberduck for ftp. http://www.freemacware.com/ is a great source of new programs and things. MacTheRipper is also worth checking out, as is NeoOffice/Open Office. I do like iWorks, I just haven't bothered buying a license yet If you like doing 3d graphics, check out Blender - open source maya style program.

Sidenote is also handy, and there are ton of nice RSS readers out there if you aren't a fan of googlereader - Vienna, NetNewWire

http://macspecialist.org/content/art...ssential_apps/
http://freelanceswitch.com/working/3...tial-mac-apps/

Although a lot of people who assemble those sorts of lists are GTD/productivity freaks, so it can be a tad heavy on the self-organiser lists.