Mostly command line stuff. You can also find these programs in the Ubuntu Software Center, but I find it more efficient to share them this way.
In the most recent release of Ubuntu, there is a shortcut for the command line! To bring it up, press:
Ctrl + Alt + T
Update & Upgrade
This is the first thing I run, every time. The first command refreshes the list of updated packages to download, and the second downloads them and installs them.
sudo apt-get update
then
sudo apt-get upgrade
Gnome Do
With this program, I can search for and open programs and documents with a few keystrokes. Super + Spacebar, to be precise. This shortcut is customizable.
sudo apt-get install gnome-do
Ubuntu Restricted Extras
For me, this is essential. It installs flash, java, the mp3 codec, and more.
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Wine
It is handy to be able to run the occasional windows app.
sudo apt-get install wine
Hey ok so I want to do a fresh install of 7, and I have Office 2010 installed. We bought the family pack but have already used all of our 3 installs. Is there a way I can like backup the program so I can still use it on my fresh install without having to buy it again?