A few applications are automatically opened when I first turn on the mac I have a few applications that are automatically opened when I start the computer, for example TextWrangler or Activity Monitor. Is it possible to start the computer without this stupid behaviour?
Either these apps were running when you turned off the Mac and you are have selected to 'Reopen windows when logging back in' on the log off or shutdown dialog, or you have these apps listed in the Login Items list available from System Preferences → Users &amp; Groups.