Linux offers so many applications it can be overwhelming. This month, we'll take a quick look at some of the major desktop applications, especially those that would interest anyone coming to Linux from a Windows environment. The apps listed here are all installed by default in Ubuntu Linux.
Office Apps
Everyone needs a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation program. In the Open Source world, nothing beats Open Office as a complete office suite. OO Write looks and operates much like MS Word, OO Calc resembles MS Excel, and OO Impress does slide shows and presentations in the manner of MS Powerpoint. These apps can import and export to MS formats. Impress can export to Powerpoint or to Flash format.
Photo Editing
Nearly everyone is a photographer these days, whether using a cell-phone camera or a sophisticated DSLR. For touching up digital photos and getting them ready to post to websites or to a printer, Linux offers the GIMP, an advanced photo editing app that offers features similar to Adobe Photoshop. The GIMP can also be used to create digital art and graphics. It has a funny name, and a somewhat odd interface, but as Han Solo said, "She's got it where it counts, kid."
Email/Calendaring
Ubuntu Linux installs an app called Evolution for Email and Calendaring. It's a very attractive product and can be configured to pick up webmail, such as Gmail or Hotmail. For those who use Palm organizers, it can sync calendaring data. I personally chose to override the email function of Evolution and just use the calendaring part, preferring Mozilla Thunderbird for email. A simple click in Ubuntu installs Thunderbird as an alternative.
Multimedia
It's a multimedia universe and everyone wants to listen to their MP3 files, watch DVDs, and rip CDs to sound files. Ubuntu Linux supplies all the basics for multimedia. The main multimedia player is Rhythmbox, which can play sound files and subscribe to podcasts. Because of the inherent complexities of multimedia, we'll turn to this in more depth in another column.
Messaging and VOIP
Instant messaging is a way of life for many users and Linux supplies a fine IM client called Gaim. It supports AIM/ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber, Sametime and Groupwise. Gaim users can log in to multiple accounts on multiple IM networks simultaneously.
Voice over IP has revolutionized the way many people keep in touch by phone. For VoIP, Ubuntu supplies the sophisticated Ekiga Softphone application. It uses the standard SIP protocol. If you don't already have a SIP account, you can set up one free on Ekiga.net.
Alternates
Needless to say, Linux provides all the apps you need for modern computing, but there's more. For every application mentioned in this column, there are other Linux apps that you might prefer. Some are lighter and run faster. Some are easier to use. Technical users may prefer some of the traditional Unix apps such as vi, Emacs and LaTeX. It's fun to explore the possibilities. Over the next while, we'll take a closer look at Linux apps and how you can get the most from them.
Office Apps
Everyone needs a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation program. In the Open Source world, nothing beats Open Office as a complete office suite. OO Write looks and operates much like MS Word, OO Calc resembles MS Excel, and OO Impress does slide shows and presentations in the manner of MS Powerpoint. These apps can import and export to MS formats. Impress can export to Powerpoint or to Flash format.
Photo Editing
Nearly everyone is a photographer these days, whether using a cell-phone camera or a sophisticated DSLR. For touching up digital photos and getting them ready to post to websites or to a printer, Linux offers the GIMP, an advanced photo editing app that offers features similar to Adobe Photoshop. The GIMP can also be used to create digital art and graphics. It has a funny name, and a somewhat odd interface, but as Han Solo said, "She's got it where it counts, kid."
Email/Calendaring
Ubuntu Linux installs an app called Evolution for Email and Calendaring. It's a very attractive product and can be configured to pick up webmail, such as Gmail or Hotmail. For those who use Palm organizers, it can sync calendaring data. I personally chose to override the email function of Evolution and just use the calendaring part, preferring Mozilla Thunderbird for email. A simple click in Ubuntu installs Thunderbird as an alternative.
Multimedia
It's a multimedia universe and everyone wants to listen to their MP3 files, watch DVDs, and rip CDs to sound files. Ubuntu Linux supplies all the basics for multimedia. The main multimedia player is Rhythmbox, which can play sound files and subscribe to podcasts. Because of the inherent complexities of multimedia, we'll turn to this in more depth in another column.
Messaging and VOIP
Instant messaging is a way of life for many users and Linux supplies a fine IM client called Gaim. It supports AIM/ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber, Sametime and Groupwise. Gaim users can log in to multiple accounts on multiple IM networks simultaneously.
Voice over IP has revolutionized the way many people keep in touch by phone. For VoIP, Ubuntu supplies the sophisticated Ekiga Softphone application. It uses the standard SIP protocol. If you don't already have a SIP account, you can set up one free on Ekiga.net.
Alternates
Needless to say, Linux provides all the apps you need for modern computing, but there's more. For every application mentioned in this column, there are other Linux apps that you might prefer. Some are lighter and run faster. Some are easier to use. Technical users may prefer some of the traditional Unix apps such as vi, Emacs and LaTeX. It's fun to explore the possibilities. Over the next while, we'll take a closer look at Linux apps and how you can get the most from them.
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