GOM Player

GOM is a FREE media player with popular audio & video codecs built-Codec Finder

GOM Player includes many codecs (XviD, DivX, FLV1, AC3, OGG, MP4, H263 and more) so you won't need to install separate codecs for most videos. For those videos that require a separate codec, GOM Player will find one.
Play Broken AVI Files (Patented)
GOM Player's patented technology enables users to view files with broken indexes or that are still being downloaded.
Powerful Subtitle Support
GOM Player supports SMI, SRT, RT, SUB(with IDX) files for subtitle. You can even synchronize subtitle and video if there's any mismatch.
Convenient Playlist
If you run a video file and there is already a file with a similar name in the directory, it will be automatically added to your playlist. GOM Player has a similar playlist format as M3U, PLS, ASX.
Support Different Media Types
Along with different media format such as AVI, MPG, MPEG and DAT, GOM Player also supports streaming Windows media format (WMV, ASF, ASX). You can also watch DVD-quality videos with 5.1 channel audio output.

RealPlayer

RealPlayer has always enabled you to play RealAudio (*.ra) and RealMedia (*.ram) files.

• Download videos from thousands of Web sites with just one click
• Build your own video library and playlists
• Play all major audio and video formats
• Flash Video support
• DVD, SVCD, VCD burning and video recording

RealPlayer for personal use includes audio CD burning capabilities, DVR-style playback buffering, multimedia search, Internet radio, a jukebox-style file library, an embedded web browser (using Microsoft Internet Explorer), and the ability to transfer media to a number of portable devices, including Apple's iPod, MP3 players, and Windows Media devices.

The best thing that you will find after installing it is the Flash videos Download Directly from YouTube.
It has an inbuilt plugin that enables you to download the video by showing a download video link right above the video as soon as you play the video.

Yahoo! Messenger

Keep friends at your fingertips with the new Yahoo! Messenger:

• Easier ways to stay up to date - See more updates from your friends in the detailed Messenger list
• Show off your status - Easily add links and emoticons to your status messages
• Watch videos together - Share videos from popular sites and watch them with friends right in your IM window

          Other features include:

1. Instant message with one friend, or conference in a bunch
2. Send text messages (SMS) to friends' mobile phones
3. Join a chat room to meet new friends while you discuss your favorite topics
4. Make free PC-to-PC calls and PC-to-phone calls for as low as 1¢ a minute (plus free voicemail!)
5. Use the built-in media player to watch web videos and view photos with friends
6. Show your style with emoticons, Avatars, audibles and IMVironments
7. Share securely with automatic file scanning for users of Norton AntiVirus or Internet Security 2007/2008

Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger makes it easier than ever to stay connected to the people you care about.

• Favorites and groups - Put the people you chat with most at the top of your contacts, so you easily see when they're online. Want to chat with several people in one window? Just set up a group.
• Share photos - Look at photos together, right in the conversation window. And Messenger tells you when people you know post new photos on Windows Live.
• Customize - Show off your personal style with custom scenes, animated display pictures, and signature sounds.
• Mobile and web - Using a public computer without Messenger? No problem! You can chat on the web from Windows Live Hotmail. Or, use Messenger on your mobile phone.

Get Messenger and stay in touch.

Skype

Skype is software for calling other people on their computers or phones. Download Skype and start calling for free all over the world.

The calls have excellent sound quality and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption. You don't even need to configure your firewall or router or any other networking gear.

Additionally it doesn't just work on Windows. Skype is also for Mac OS X, Linux and PDAs using Pocket PC, with a native look and feel for each platform. Talking, sending instant messages or even file transfers work between different platforms like a charm.

• Skype calling - Skype has all the features of an ordinary phone so it's even easier to manage your calls.
• Video calling - see who you are talking to at the same time as speaking to them.
• Add Skype and SkypeOut contacts - Add contacts who use Skype and those who use ordinary phones so you can call more people.
• Organising groups - group contacts under certain names and share them with your contacts so they can talk to them too.
• Basic chat and emoticons - when it's not convenient to call, chat or Instant Message (IM) your contacts.
• Group chat - for when it's easier to chat or Instant Message (IM) all your friends at once.
• Profile settings - change how you appear to the world and let people know a bit about you.
• Conference calling - talk to more than one friend at a time.
• Import contacts - search your address book to find friends and family that already have a Skype name and start calling them for free.
• View Outlook contacts - view and call your Microsoft Outlook® contacts quickly and directly from your Skype contact list.
• Quickfilter and Speed-Dial - find Skype contacts, recent chats and SkypeOut contacts quickly and easily, then enter their Skype name to call them back quickly.

Google Talk a.k.a. Gtalk

The Google Talk downloadable application for Windows offers many features for communicating with your friends and family.

Instant messaging - Chat with all of your Google Talk and Gmail contacts in real time.

Free PC-to-PC voice chat - You can talk to anyone else for free who's online and has the Google Talk client.

Send and receive voicemails - If the person you're calling isn't available, you can leave a voicemail.

Unlimited file transfers - Send files to your contacts. There are no file size or bandwidth restrictions.

Gmail notifications on your desktop - When you're signed into Google Talk, you'll be notified of new messages in your Gmail inbox.

Google Earth

Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others.

Google Earth's features include:

See global changes with decades of historic imagery

If you've ever wondered how your neighborhood has changed throughout time, Google Earth now gives you access to the past. With a simple click, check out suburban sprawl, melting ice caps, coastal erosion, and more.

Dive beneath the surface of the ocean

In the new ocean layer, you can plunge all the way to the floor of the sea, view exclusive content from partners like BBC and National Geographic, and explore 3D shipwrecks like the Titanic.

Track and share your paths with others

Take placemarks a step further and record a free-form tour in Google Earth. Simply turn on the touring feature, press record, and see the world. You can even add a soundtrack or narration to personalize the journey.