I've used the full version of pro tools a lot, it's simpler than logic and very good but the free version will not work if you have windows XP, You'd have to insall a parallel Operating System, annoying, I haven't done it. For recording tape and cds and performing basic editing things, a cracked Sound Forge is excellent, Audacity is is another 'annoying thing'...no real-time preview for effects or processing and no mouse wheel instant-magnification of waveform feature, god I'm lazy.
muhcow