note: this is a living document.
this gist contains essential.txt, a (probably not exhaustive) list of software that I consider essential in the sense that I will not choose a linux distribution / operating system if its package repositories does not include all of these.
arch linux is an exception because of the existence of the AUR, however I would like to not use that repository at all.
this gist also contains extra.txt, a list of software that I can give up on, although it would make me very sad, and you don't want to make me sad do you :(
finally, there is avoid.txt, a list of software that I'd prefer avoiding, unless strictly necessary.