VLC Media Player

Download: VLC Media Player
Purpose: Media player, including video
Platforms: Windows 7, Vista, XP; Mac, Linux
Cost: Free

Another poster child for open source software, VLC Media Player plays just about anything -- including YouTube Flash FLV files -- with no additional software, no downloads, and no headaches. I use it exclusively for videos.

Unlike other media players (notably the versatile but complex KM Player), VLC sports simple, Spartan controls, built-in codecs for almost every file type imaginable, and a large and vocal online support community. VLC plays Internet streaming media with a click, records played media, converts between file types, and even supports individual frame screenshots.

VLC is well-known for tolerating incomplete or damaged media files. It will even start to play downloaded media before the download's finished. Next: Jaangle, Process Explorer, PicPick

VLC Media Player just works -- media without the hassles.