This thread should be closed.
That's not for you to say, only when the OP is happy with the replies given should THEY mark it as solved
But on that note
What are some applications that you find useful and can't live without?
If you have not got these applications, then you can 'live without' them. What i find useful, you might have no interest in. People use computers for there own personal use, like web design, creating Java apps, word processing or just to email etc etc. Ask yourself what YOU need, not what you think you are missing out on.
Obviously, if you are connected to the internet, you need a Anti-Virus and Firewall. I also use Anti-malware and Super anti-spyware, but i do not run them in real time, only to scan.