Opinions on software to install in new laptop

I've been reading other threads and doing some research. Would appreciate educated opionions on putting the following sofware on my new (and first) laptop, in this order.

1) Avast! (I've always used Norton--but many of you use this. What should I expect by way of difference in interface, and is it safe to download it to a brand new computer via broadband? (What this means, I guess, is it safe to install virus protection without virus protection?)

2) ZoneAlarm

3) Open Office (which does, by the way, offer a way to turn documents into pdf files in it's word processing option)

4) Quicken 2005 (I've used Quicken since the DOS days and would be lost without it)

I need a good CD/DVD burning software. Free would be nice. Suggestions?

anything else you think is crucial?

 

1) I haven't used Avast, but I hear it's good. If you're worried about downloading anything without any AV protection, why don't you download it and burn it to a cd from another computer?

2) Great firewall. The only one I use.

3) I've tried it and wouldn't choose it over MS Office. But if you're looking for freeware, I guess it's the way to go.

As for CD/DVD burning software, Nero has always been my choice. You can find OEM versions pretty cheap online. CDBurnerXP is freeware that I hear is okay.

 

For AV: Nod32

I don't use a firewall (rely on router's instead) . is this a bad idea?

OpenOffice is good if you can't get office 2003, but i like office 2003 better.

Can't go wrong with Nero, not sure about free programs.


programs to keep your computer fast:
RegScrubXP
Diskeeper (defragmenter)
Ad-Aware
Tune XP