What should I download to be able to use Debian comfortably?

[Me]

Hi all!

I just downloaded Debian, but I never used Linux before.. Before installing
it,
I would like to know:

- what kind of progz I should download to be able to go on the Internet
   ( mailer, browser, FTP client, etc )
- what are the other progz that are useful for "everyday life" with Linux
   ( I mean equivalents of WinZIP, acdsee, GetRight, ICQ, directX, and a
   CD-writer prog etc ... , that I am currently using with Windows98 )

Thanks!

Lyrsew