If you have excessive pop-ups, slow downloads, etc with Internet Explorer, try using Firefox.
The Crap Cleaner is a itty bitty, quick, and effient program that cleans up your excess files, cookies, etc in less than 5 minutes.
Google is the best shit on earth and they were nice enough to create the Google Pack.
The programs included are:
Google Earth - 3D Earth browser
Google Desktop - Desktop companion
Picasa - Photo organizer
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer - Search toolbar
Google Pack Screensaver - Photo screensaver
Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar - Web browser
Ad-Aware SE Personal - Antispyware utility
Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition - Antivirus utility
Adobe Reader 7 - PDF reader
Google Talk - Voice and IM application
Ok, if you don't already have the Ad-Aware software from Lavasoft, go get it now. The personal version is free and can be found at the lavasoft homepage.
I've yet to find a good ripping program, but for all those episodes you download during the season that are perfectly legal, you can conveter them with the Videora iPod Converter software.
It's simple to use, though you can't really batch convert. But it gets the job done, and retains quality.