Preferred program set for Linux

Okay, I am new to Linux, so I was wondering what kind of programs I should use for my basic needs. Such as, what is the music player of choice... and stuff.

what I use. *ed choices are those that, in my opinion, are no-brainers, the only good option.

Debian-based distro (actually a HD install of Knoppix)
KDE, but am getting increasingly unhappy with the bloat
* shell: bash
terminal: Konsole
* web browser: firefox
file browser: Konqueror
email: thunderbird
* image editor: The GIMP
paint program (ie not a serious image editor): KolourPaint
music player: amaroK (excellent player, pity it has KDElibs bloat)
IM and IRC: Kopete
video player: xine or Kaffeine, but intend to get Mplayer and test it.
package manager: Synaptic