Linux Programs (Apps) for Common Computer Tasks
Updated 2012-01, Ubuntu 10.04.03.
Summary
The purpose of this page is to introduce people new to linux to some programs I use for common tasks on my computer (sorry, no games). I include a list of programs to install beyond the default Ubuntu Linux distribution. Most of these notes would also apply to Debian GNU/linux, because Ubuntu is based on Debian.
File Browsing & Settings
Navigating around your local computer it pretty obvious, as there is a "Places" link in the top bar. Your files are kept in the "Home" directory. Note that there is no "Control Panel" window, like in MS Windows.
You can control the setting of the computer through the "System" link. "Preferences" are specific to you and mainly don't require extra priviledges. The "Administration" section of System is for more important settings and will usually require the "Adminstrator" (Superuser) password.
Web Browsing
I use the default web browser, Firefox. To view Flash content, like YouTube videos, or play streaming MP3 music, you should install the package Ubuntu Restricted Extras. You can find out details by following the link. I've used Firefox for over 10 years to do all the shopping, banking, and other tasks I need to do online.
I also use the Firefox add-on called NoScript. It gives you complete control over what websites are allowed to run scripts on your computer. Pages will load faster and your system will be more secure.
This is a page about what apps I use, and I only use web-based email because I want to access my email from any location at any time. Examples are Gmail and Yahoo. I also use the Mail Notification applet to check email addresses I don't use very often. If you would rather use a local email program, I preferred Thunderbird email (pictured), over the default program called Evolution.
Play Music Files - MP3, ogg, etc.
My favorite music player by far is Decibel Audio Player. The reason is its simplicity. There is a folder pane on the left. Click (Shft-click, Ctrl-click) the music you want to play. Drag it to the Playlist area. Press "Play". For more full-featured media players, see the next section.
Play Music Files, Streaming Media, CDs, and DVDs
I wanted to share my favorite player for music files above. There is nothing wrong, however, with the default media player, Totem (Apps.. Sound & Video.. Movie Player). It is the default player for a CD, DVD, or streaming media, and I haven't found a reason to change it. To play restricted DVDs, see the Ubuntu DVD Page.
The most full featured media player, for all your needs in one place, is VLC Player. It can do what Decibel and Totem do, as well as create and manage playlists, like with iTunes, etc.
Rip MP3 or Ogg from Existing Audio CDs
I think the best ripping program for linux is Asunder. Opening and closing a CDROM drive and switching discs is not something you normally want to be doing when you want to hear music. Whenever possible, consider ripping your existing audio CDs to a format more friendly to your computer and portable music players (like iPods). Ripping to the MP3 format in Ubuntu will require the installation of the Ubuntu Restricted Extras package.
I have a complete page on the basics of ripping MP3's using linux.
Download Photos from Your Camera and Manage Pictures
Here again I am totally biased. I do NOT use the default photo manager, F-Spot. It is a full-featured photo manager, but I don't need that much help. I use the file manager listed above. What I have found very helpful for backing up my photo collection is the Flickr Uploader program, pictured at left, and hidden in the eog-plugins package.
Many cameras are now supported by F-spot, but that is not guaranteed. One way to be sure you can always download your photos is get a camera that has "USB Mass Storage Device" capability, which is not guranteed just because it has a USB cable.
Photos: Resize, Crop, Adjust Brightness, Contrast, etc.
There is a full-featured Photoshop-type program available in linux called GIMP. It is overkill for most common photo manipulation needs. I use gthumb to crop, resize, change brightness, etc. on a single photo or small group of photos.
For batch editing, I use my own free scripts.
Write a Formatted Letter, Create a Spreadsheet or Presentation
I don't have a lot of uses for word processors, but occasionally everyone needs to type a letter or list. I mainly use the Word processor to "paste" a web page that I have viewed in Print mode, instead of actually printing the article. This has saved me a lot of paper-problems. I also regularly use spreadsheets for recordkeeping.
I use the default OpenOffice programs included with Ubuntu Linux. A fork of this program that has also been developed called Libre Office. I have been using versions of OpenOffice for 10 years and it's met all my needs for home use.
Burn a Data Disc or Disc Image
The default disc-burning program, Brasero has been working fine for me for a few years. Burn an audio CD, data CD or DVD disc, create a 1:1 copy, or burn a "disc image".
The program K3B is also very good, but I try to not run KDE programs that need to load a whole different set of libraries outside my default gnome default desktop.
Printing
Research and decide what is best for you. I highly recommend using a network laser printer. The protocol for network printing is fairly standard and laser cartridges save you a lot of money over ink jets over the life of the printer. I have never had problems getting a linux machine to print from a network printer over the past 8 years, and you don't have to have another computer on to "share" it. If you want an example, I have used the Samsung ML-2851N B&W duplex laser printer that even came with its own software that could be installed under linux.
Backups
If you have any computer files you want to keep, then you NEED to figure out a backup solution. Your computer, tablet, and phone are all machines. It's not a matter of "if", but "when" they WILL stop working. I use a backup script to save files locally. I use Flickr for my photo backups and Spider Oak for documents and music (it also is fine for photos). I'm happy to let you know I'm a Spider Oak affiliate. It's a great solution.
Install the Apps All at Once
me@myhost$ sudo apt-get install asunder decibel-audio-player easytag eog-plugins gthumb miro soundconverter ubuntu-restricted-extras vlc
NOTE: If you prefer your computer windows to have the min, max, close buttons in the upper right instead of the new Ubuntu default of tiny arrows on the left, you can change this by choosing the "Clearlooks" theme. System --> Preferences --> Appearance --> Theme.
