Malf on 4/7/2008 at 08:04

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(http://www.blacktree.com/) Quicksilver - Launch applications with a few simple keystrokes. Also can be used to activate application commands, and specific web-pages.
It also learns. For example, I have it configured to activate by pressing command-space (usually reserved for spotlight). I then type "fi", hit return, and it launches Firefox. Doesn't sound particularly impressive, but once you start using it, you won't be able to use your Mac without it.

I also use Visor from the same page, as being a Quake player, it's pretty intuitive to hit the tilde key and bring up a console :)

(http://projects.tynsoe.org/en/geektool/) GeekTool - I'm trying to learn more Unix too (although my knowledge is still at a beginner's level), and this can prove quite useful. It can be configured to display Unix system logs on your desktop, helping you learn what's going on behind the scenes.

(http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx) Microsoft RDC - A remote desktop client that allows you to connect to and control a Windows machine from your Mac. Especially good when configured to occupy a seperate Space. Command+2 maximises the window to fill the whole screen.
When I'm at work, I run a second monitor, and my number 2 Space has RDC on the top monitor and Fusion on my Macbook's screen.

Some handy shortcuts that I use on a daily basis:
command+shift+A: Opens the Applications folder
command+shift+U: Opens the Utilities folder