There are several packages in 1.4 that I may not have used every day, but very often that are not in next. They are amateur radio packages: flrig, flmsg, fldigi, and wsjtx. These provide a way to more accurately transfer information over the air waves than talking. The non-jargon way of explaining this is it's kinda like instant messaging over the air waves like it goes over the internet conventionally. I have used it personally and as a part of ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Services to test communications between hospitals to stay prepared for if and when cell phone grid drops.

The other 2 that I can think of are for strictly personal use: pithos and pianobar. They are interfaces for the Pandora music service so I don't have to deal with their clunky website which IMHO is a major pain in the rump.

I don't know what else to say. Prior to next, I used these packages quite often and feel that without them in next, my Linux experience is less than what it could be. If you have any further questions, please comment with them and if the "evidence" I've presented doesn't satisfy your requirements, please let me know what will satisfy them.