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Linux Apps for Common Computer Tasks

Updated 2017-02, Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

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. Note that some of the icons will look different as the default theme has changed a bit since I first took these screenshots

Micro Unity Desktop Review

ubuntu 1604 desktop

I was initially put off by the Unity desktop, but for my purposes, Ubuntu still turned out to be the best option. Bottom line: After a short period of using it, I’m getting stuff done with my computer without any problems. I don’t think it’s much better than Gnome was, but it isn’t any worse, either. I just wish the Gnome weather applet would work with it.

You can change the default applications for the most popular tasks by going to Settings (the gear).. System Details.. Default Applications

File Browsing & Settings

apps nautilus 12

Navigating around your local computer it simple once you click on the File Folder icon in the launcher bar on the left of your screen. Your files are kept in your “Home” directory. On the left-hand side of the window is a navigation pane that includes a Network link, for navigating around your  Home Fileserver, for example.

You can control the setting of the computer through the “System Settings” link in the launcher panel. It looks like a gear and a wrench. To gain more control over the settings of your computer, install the “Unity Tweak Tool” app.

Web Browsing

apps firefox 12 04 1061x822

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.

Email

apps thunderbird 12

This is a page about what apps I use, and I mainly use web-based email because I want to access my email from any location at any time. Examples are Gmail and Yahoo.  Now that Thunderbird email (pictured) is the default email program (hurray), I can start it up and have it check my less-used emails while minimized. The envelope in the status bar will turn blue if I get mail.

Play Music Files, Streaming Media, CDs, and DVDs

apps vlc 12

The default application to play music files is Rhythmbox, but I usually don’t use it because it often bugs me about creating a “library” like iTunes. The most full featured media player, for all your needs in one place, is VLC Player. It can play a file, a folder of files, as well as create and manage playlists, like with iTunes, etc. To play restricted DVDs, see the Ubuntu DVD Page.

Rip MP3 or Ogg from Existing Audio CDs

apps asunder 12

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 packages. I have a complete page on the basics of Ripping CDs to MP3s Using Asunder in Ubuntu Linux.

Download Photos from Your Camera and Manage Pictures

apps frogr 12

Here again I am totally biased. I do NOT use the default photo manager, Shotwell. 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 and hidden in the eog-plugins package. As of Ubuntu 12.04, I can no longer login to my Flickr account using Flickr Uploader, so I have switched to Frogr, pictured.

Photos: Resize, Crop, Adjust Brightness, Contrast, etc.

apps gthumb 12

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

apps libreoffice 12

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 Libre Office programs included with Ubuntu Linux. I have been using versions of LibreOffice for 10+ years and it’s met all my needs for home use.

The new icon theme for Ubuntu makes it hard for me to tell them apart in the LibreOffice toolbars. I fixed this problem by installing other styles [sudo apt-get install libreoffice-style*]. Then go to Tools.. Options.. View.. Icon Style and Size. FWIW, I chose “Human”.

Burn a Data Disc or Disc Image

apps brasero 12

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 was also very good (haven’t used it in years), but I try to not run KDE programs that need to load a whole different set of libraries outside my default 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 12 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-3312ND Network Printer with excellent results.

News / RSS Feed Aggregator

This is not related to linux directly, but sometimes you just want to hear what other people are using. I did have a Google and Yahoo homepage, but they both ruined the news-reading experience. I tried Thunderbird and a couple of other Free Software alternatives before finally finding feedly.com. I’m very happy with the results. I set up the feeds once and can view them with my desktop browser or the feedly mobile app. The only “Con” I can see right now is that there is not a pervasive feedly button to click on like with a few of the larger RSS services. You need to get to know what the RSS URL looks like.

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.

Editing Web Pages or Code

apps geany 12 04 1018x1056

My new favorite text editor is Geany. It is very simple, I can change the font and font size, and it has auto-complete for HTML tags and search-to-replace features. That is about all I need. Plus, you can add an optional “dark” theme that is way cool. FTP: For transferring files to my webserver, I use Filezilla.

Install the Apps All at Once

Here are some general-purpose apps that are not in the default Ubuntu linux distribution that I find helpful.

me@myhost$ sudo apt-get install asunder easytag frogr geany gimp gthumb lame soundconverter synaptic ubuntu-restricted-extras vlc

Notes

*The first thing I do after installing a new operating system is point my browser at somafm.com to start listening to music. For YEARS now, Firefox+Ubuntu has made Rhythmbox the default app for this task and it has NEVER WORKED. No error messages, nothing. You can use Totem (/usr/bin/totem) to play Shoutcast streaming MP3 type files if you requested the “add other software” option at install (sometimes I have to start a stream by clicking the Next arrow on the player). If not, add the package Ubuntu Restricted Extras.

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