Where to start...?

First task was to identify the software to build up this 'free PC'. Here is the starting list after a little research:

• 7Zip
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Apple iTunes
• AVG Antivirus (Free Edition)
• Gimp
• Irfanview
• jAlbum
• Lavasoft AdAware
• MS Messenger
• Mozilla Firefox
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• Open Office 2.0
• Picasa
• Skype
• SpyBot Search & Destroy
• VNC Viewer
• Yahoo Konfabulator
• Zone Alarm (Free Edition)

There are things in that list that aren't going to be used by my Father in Law, but, this is as much about me going opensource or free as it is him, so I had to make up a full suite that would work for both of us.

There are one or two items in there that some people might not agree with (MS Mesenger), but, it's free and it works (I tried Trillian for about a month and to be honest, it drove me nuts in the end so it's off the list for now)

iTunes may also be controversial, but, again. it's free and we have two iPods at home so it's on the list.