I like building houses on creative. I like playing survival too, but on the phase where u have a house and some sort of living system. I like playing SMP too, and PVP. I love playing custom maps too.
A good programme? I use GIMP 2 but it isn't specialized in making texture packs, and takes a lot of time, but It kinda worked out, with me and my friend making a tp but we gave up because all together it looked ugly.