I’m not one to rip off an idea directly, so I will give my attribution to Lifehacker for this idea. With Thanksgiving coming up, though, they’re right. It is a good time to say a thanks to the free software crowd for all the programs I use on a regular basis. However, loquacious as I am, I’m not satisfied with just a comment in a thread naming the apps. So, in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving, here’s a run down of free software most to be thankful for. In no particular order whatsoever:

Firefox — Web Browser (Cross-platform) - The most inarguable of free software, Firefox is an open-source extensible tabbed browsing experience. Firefox maintains a good deal of great functionality right out of the box, but it’s biggest help is the add-on library, with thousands of add-ons, including AdBlock Plus (I have not seen a banner-ad/pop-up in years), DownloadHelper (for downloading YouTube videos and others), and many others, Firefox is truly the crown-jewel of usable open source software.

VLC – Media player (Cross-platform) -This program is absolutely a must-have for anyone playing any kind of media. VLC can play absolutely any format of media known to man. Many-a times I’ve been called in somewhere an people say “It won’t play, I need such-and-such a codec.” Install VLC. It plays. End of story.

Blender — 3D Modeling/Animation (Cross-platform) - Every category of multimedia production has an open-source equivalent trying to compete. From video editing to image editing, even 2D animation. But Blender, a majorly multitasking 3D modeling program, is the only one I’ve seen that does such an incredibly good job of it. The only major downside is it’s interface. Once you get beyond that, though, you’ve got 3D modeling, a game engine, rigid- and soft-body physics and fluid simulation. And I believe there’s even a rudimentary non-linear editor hiding in there somewhere. Definitely worth the time it takes to learn.

Pidgin/Adium — Instant Messenger Client (Cross-platform, Adium for Mac) - A very powerful IM client that supports a host of IM protocols including (but not limited to) AIM, MSN, IRC, and even gChat. Consolidating buddy lists is really quite convenient. Pidgin is cross-platform, but Adium is a sister project that does a better job, in my opinion, for the Mac. Windows users may be interested in Digsby which does a bit more than just chat, though I’m still waiting for the Mac/Linux version so I can test it out.

Launchy/GnomeDO – Application Launcher (Multi-platform) - An application launcher useful for keyboard-shortcut enthusiasts who want to launch programs (and more) faster without touching the mouse. Launchy can be customized with scripts to do more than launch applications. At work I also use Launchy to provide a quick shortcut to folders I access frequently. GnomeDO is a Linux version, though Launchy can be used on Linux as well, I simply haven’t made the switch yet.

OpenOffice — Office Suite (Cross-platform) - The open-source community’s answer to Microsoft Office, OpenOffice has been the premiere free office application choice. I don’t do much Office work beyond keeping a spreadsheet of my tapes, but what I have I use OpenOffice for. Helpful is the fact that OpenOffice can save into Microsoft Office compatible formats, so you can keep using it and stay in the loop.

Audacity — Audio Recording(Cross-platform) - Free audio recording program, we use this at our church to record sermons, and I have used in several projects for audio recording. Very well-versed program for the cost. Lightweight as well.

Handbrake — Video Encoding (Cross-platform) — Video ripping program for pulling video from DVDs. Especially for the folks who like to make compilation videos. I have used it for several projects. It never disappoints. Must-have.

Update: Handbrake has received an upgrade which touts the following changes: 1.) it can now receive video from nearly any source, and 2.) it has removed built-in support for ripping from encoded (read: commercial) DVDs. Though, there’s something about it using a piece of program code that VLC uses to be able to do it, you just have to have both installed. I haven’t checked this out, but take a look. And besides, you should have VLC installed on your machine anyways. :-)

Transmission/µTorrent — Bittorrent Client (Cross-platform, µTorrent for Windows) - I prefer peer-to-peer technology, and yes even for legitimate uses. I usually download my new Linux distributions, or Jamendo music from a peer-to-peer source because I love the idea of peer-to-peer networks. But that’s just me. For anyone else looking to torrent, these are your programs. Transmission is lightweight enough to run on a small flash drive, for both Mac and Linux. µTorrent is a recommended Windows equivalent. I don’t use µTorrent, but a friend of mine does and she approves.

Update: The day after writing this, µTorrent for Mac was released. I’ll be experimenting with this program.

AVG/AdAware — Anti-virus/anti-malware (Windows) - It should go without saying that the most noble of the free softwares are the malware hunters. AVG and AdAware are must-haves on the anti-virus, anti-spyware front, though not the only ones by far.

GIMP — Image Manipulation (Cross-platform) - Open-source alternative to Photoshop. Admittedly, it’s no comparison to Photoshop and, in a weird contradictory way, doesn’t try to be. However, for the up-and-comer trying to start out in image manipulation that can’t afford Photoshop, I’d highly recommend it. I still use it for some simple tasks. It also has a few filters I like that Photoshop doesn’t have.

k9copy/gcStar — DVD ripping/Library Catalog (Linux) - I obviously can’t leave out these pieces of software, combined with VLC, that have made my DVD server what it is. k9copy for DVD ripping (while maintaining menus), and gcStar for the library software, this plus VLC makes for a great movie watching/storage experience.

XBox Media Center (XBMC) — Media Center (Cross-platform) - This is one of my newest experimentations, and I’ve still got some testing to do with it, but it already looks beautiful.  Originally created to run on the first-generation XBox, XBMC is a full-blown media front-end that can play just about anything (allegedly, I haven’t tested), and can receive media from a variety of sources. It is also extensible (meaning it supports third-party add-ons). The biggest thing it offers, though, over some other programs I’ve tried out, is a unified experience, not unlike Front Row on the Mac (though XBMC looks prettier, in my opinion). I will be testing it on my Linux machine in the future, and a more full review (and likely a DVD server update) will follow pending those tests.

Ubuntu — Operating System - Last but not least, my personal flavor of Linux (though literally hundreds exist), Ubuntu is out to make Linux an operating system usable to humans, and stay free. Ubuntu already comes with an impressive library of free software loaded, including many of the ones on this list like Firefox, OpenOffice, the GIMP, Pidgin, and Transmission, as well as a ton of others I’ll never use. Plus access to thousands more free programs. Ubuntu is quickly becoming the standard Linux distribution, while maintaining the freedom of choice that comes standard with Linux.

So, that nowhere near wraps it up, as I’m sure I’ve missed probably a dozen different free or open source apps I’ve used/still use. And that can’t even give credit to peripheral free software. Firefox plugins, free photoshop brushes, desktop themes, iPhone/Android apps. Not to mention free music at Jamendo, images at the Stock Exchange, and all the folks who offer their videos free to view on YouTube. Simply put there’s a ton of free software and other stuff out there, and they’re made by people who put a lot of work into them, and don’t demand payment for the software in return.

I don’t know how they do it, but to them, I tip my hat. *tips* Thank you, kind sirs and ladies.