“The Mac comes with an array of basic software already built in. The Mail and iCal software provide satisfactory e-mail and scheduling, Safari is a good Web browser, and TextEdit performs basic text-editing and word-processing tasks. But you’re probably going to want more,” Mitch Wagner writes for InformationWeek.

“What follows is a list of more than a dozen free or cheap applications to help beef up your Mac. It starts with a few essentials: Applications that virtually every Mac user will find valuable. Then I move on to describe applications that are great for users with specific needs,” Wagner writes. “Ten of these applications are free, one is donationware, and the other three are priced under $30.”

Wagner covers:
• Quicksilver
• Adium
• SplashID
• 1Passwd
• Firefox
• Camino
• TextExpander
• Chicken of the VNC
• Flip4Mac
• Skype
• MT-NewsWatcher
• Synergy
• USB Overdrive
• Office alternatives (iWork ’08, NeoOffice, Mellel, Nisus Writer, Zoho, Google apps)

Full article here.