The List: Ten Linux Apps That I Can’t Do Without

There are many times when I install or try out a new distro and wonder, hmmm what apps do I need first?  Well the basic needs come first right?  If your a programmer you go for the programming apps, multi-media user you go for the video playing or music playing apps.  Keep in mind, most of these apps are made for debian, and the commands I list are for debian/Ubuntu, but they can be obtained for Red Hat / Slack based systems most likely.  These apps are in no particular order.

Number 1:  VLC

• Why install proprietary codecs when one open source player can play anything?  VLC is an amazing media player, designed mainly for video, but it can play anything.  I have rarely had an occasion where VLC could not play something.  The App can be installed via Add/Remove , Synaptic Package Manager, or via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install vlc“

Number 2: Pidgin/GAIM (old school name)

• While this app is included with most distros, it is one no Linux user can be without.  If one app can handle so many protocols, what else could you need?  Having all your messaging programs combined into one is great, isn’t it?  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install pidgin”

Number 3: Mozilla Firefox

• Also included with most distros, Firefox is an invaluable browser for Linux users.  With its wealth of add-ons and amazing speed, firefox is a must have app.  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install firefox“

Number 4: Mozilla Thunderbird

• Let’s face it, evolution is not the favorite among Linux Users.  So,  Thunderbird is typically the Mail Client of choice.  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install thunderbird“

Number 5: Audacious

• For windows users, nothing beat Winamp.  It was the king.  When windows converts started using Linux they craved an app that could deliver the same GUI and features their beloved Winamp.  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install audacious” See my post about the Audacious EQ

Number 6:   K3B

• Your disc burning program of choice for Linux may differ from mine, but for all around burning, you can’t beat K3B, its as close as the non-free Nero Linux 3 as you can get.  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install k3b”
  

Number 7: Open Office

• Currently in its 3.0 release version, Open Office is the must have office application for Linux.  Its closely following cousin Star Office, may not be around much longer as of 2009.  Reading .doc and .docx, it is a fantastic program.  Be sure to install the Microsoft Core Fonts, that include Times New Roman.  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install openoffice”

Number 8:  Wine

• It a solid fact, if you want to get a popular Windows app to possibly 🙂 work on Linux, Wine one of the easier, and best best you have.  While its commercial cousin, Crossover Linux, has better application support, Wine is free and open source, not a paid program such as Crossover Linux.  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install wine”

Number 9:  gFTP

• If you need to grab some files off your SFTP server, you can use many apps.  FireFTP via Firefox, Filezilla, or my personal favorite, gFTP.  While somtimes unstable, I have never had a personal problem with the application.  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install gftp-common && apt-get install gftp–gtk“

Number 10: Bittorrent

• For nostalgic  reasons, many choose to still run the original Bittorent application for their torrenting pleasures, sure Transmission, and lots of other apps work great, but hey, I get a fuzzy feeling when I use my old pal, Bittorent 🙂  This program can also be installed via Add/Remove, Synaptic Package manager, and via terminal by typing “sudo apt-get install bittorrent“

Thats it!

Cheers!

_Nano