What to Install After Re-Formatting?

The official blog of ThemBid.com has an interesting write-up on what he installed after Vista made his machine go boom. First on the list? Back up your data.
Since I recently had a Vista implosion myself, I read this article with interest. Each program and application is entered in detail here, from tweaking automatic Microsoft updates to installing OpenOffice. If you've had to reformat Windows (and honestly, who hasn't, right?), please share your essential installs in the comments.w