Some Good Alternative Apps

Instead of notepad or wordpad, try Textpad or Ultraedit
http://www.textpad.com/download/index.html
http://www.ultraedit.com/downloads/ultraedit_download.html

Instead of Adobe Reader, try Foxit
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

Instead of Adobe Elements, try Primo PDF
http://www.primopdf.com/