Linux Applications: Programs for Daily Computer Tasks
Summary: The objective of this table is to give a list of what Free Software programs can be used to do common computer tasks. The audience is people who are new to using free software ("linux newbie"). The list is far from complete. I hope this helps you get started. For the linux programs, I have usually listed the default program for the Ubuntu Linux distribution first, when applicable, to help you compare with the other options. If you find the software on the linux machine is useful enough for you, then you might consider creating a Linux Home File-Server.
| Task | Windows[1] | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | ($ Quicken), ($MS Money) | GnuCash |
| Burn a CD or DVD | Windows Media Player, iTunes, Realplayer, Winamp, ($ Nero) | Serpentine, Brasero, K3B, ($ Nero) |
| Databases for Desktops | ($ MS Access), OpenOffice Base | OpenOffice Base, KOffice Kexi |
| Desktop Publishing | ($ Pagemaker), ($ Publisher), Scribus | Scribus |
| Diagram Drawings | ($ Visio), OpenOffice Draw, Dia | OpenOffice Draw, Dia, KOffice Kivio |
| DVD Player | ($ Various), VLC | Totem, Xine, VLC |
| Email[2] | Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Gmail[3], Yahoo Mail[3] | Thunderbird, Gmail[3], Yahoo Mail[3], KMail, Evolution |
| File Browsing (local) | Windows Explorer (Computer, My Docs, etc.) | Nautilus (Places, Home Folder, Computer), Konqueror |
| FTP Files | FTP Std. | gFTP, FTP Std. |
| Internet Browsing | Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera | Firefox, Opera, Konqueror, Epiphany |
| Manage Computer Software Updates[4] | Windows Update for O/S only. All other applications separately. | Synaptic Package Manager (Update Manager) for entire distribution. |
| mp3 Edit ID3 Tags | Windows Media Player, Winamp | Easy Tag, Ex Falso |
| Music Player: CD & mp3 | Windows Media Player, iTunes, Realplayer, VLC, Winamp | Amarok, Rhythm Box, Totem, VLC, XMMS |
| Photo Browsing & Slide Show | Windows Explorer, Flickr[3], Picasa[3], ($ Camera Software) | Nautilus, gPhoto, gThumb, F-Spot, GQview, GwenView, Flickr[3], Picasa[3] |
| Photo Editing Advanced Drawing | ($ Photoshop, etc.), GIMP | GIMP, KOffice Krita |
| Photo Stitching Panoramic Photos | ($ Various), hugin | hugin |
| Presentations for Offices | ($ Powerpoint), OpenOffice Impress | OpenOffice Impress, KOffice Presenter |
| Project Management | ($ MS Project) | Planner, KOffice KPlato |
| Programming Editor[5] | PSpad, Eclipse, jedit, emacs | Bluefish, Quanta, Eclipse, jedit, emacs |
| Report Writer | ($ Crystal Reports) | KOffice Kugar |
| Rip a CD to mp3, etc. | Windows Media Player, iTunes, Realplayer, Winamp | Sound Juicer, Grip |
| Spreadsheets | ($ Excel), OpenOffice Calc | OpenOffice Calc, gNumeric, KOffice Spread |
| Vector Drawings | ($ Visio(?)), OpenOffice Draw | OpenOffice Draw, Inkscape, KOffice Karbon14 |
| Video RSS Feeds | Miro | Miro |
| Video Multimedia Player | Windows Media Player, VLC, MPlayer, Miro, iTunes, Realplayer | Totem Movie Player, Miro, VLC, MPlayer, Xine |
| Write a formatted Letter or Paper[6]. | ($ MS Word), OpenOffice Writer, Abiword | OpenOffice Writer, Abiword, KOffice Word |
| Write a plain text[7] note. | Notepad, Wordpad | gedit, Kate, emacs |
- [1]There is a lot of Free Software available for the MS Windows operating system.
- [2]I think there are a lot of benefits to using strictly web-based email.
- [3]This is a web-based service, independent of your operating system.
- [4]There is nothing in the Windows world that I know that is comparable. The openess of the linux system allows for complete cooperation in managing the software on your computer.
- [5]Here is a list of Programming Editors. PSpad is the best I've found for Windows.
- [6]These programs can write plain text, but are "overkill" for the task.
- [7]Plain text means no formatting (e.g., bold, italics, tables, etc.)
First Things First: A note on streaming music under Ubuntu Linux: Here is a some information you may find useful if you like to listen to streaming music on the internet. In over 5 years of use, I have never had the default music player, Rhythm Box, play the common "shoutcast play list", or .pls files succuessfully. Some people will immediately say something about mp3's and proprietary software, but I am talking about AFTER I have confirmed the program will play static mp3 files. The program tries to open and/or save the .pls file.
- The solution:
- Install xmms:
sudo apt-get install xmms xmms-skins. - Start up Firefox and go somafm.com.
- Click on any play list after a "MP3:" listing.
- Firefox will prompt and ask if you want to open the file with the default app. Don't do it.
- Click on "Other" and browse to the file /usr/bin/xmms (/usr will be at the top level of "Filesystem") and then check the box "Do this every time".
- To choose a different XMMS skin: Right-click on the xmms window, choose Options...Skin Browser.
- Now the rest of your installations will be much groovier.
- Here are two installation scripts you may find useful for Ubuntu Linux:
- Linux install general & multi-media applications
- Linux install development applications
