None of this will be new news for seasoned Linux users, but for a lot more people we are seeing wanting to use Linux as there desktop environment on PC or laptop, we have compiled a list of good Linux tools and applications for the someone thinking about using Linux.

Linux is a incredibly versatile and robust operating system. Most people use Linux because it gives them complete control of their computer and they are not locked out from anything.

Another great think about Linux is because it is open source and so many people all over the world contribute to its development and upkeep, is there is a problem with one of the distributions it quickly gets patched or updated.

Most of the applications listed here will pretty much work on any distro. I personally use Ubuntu because i really like the ability to pretty much type sudo apt-get install <application name> and download and install my programs quite easily and quickly.

I hope you enjoy our list.

Surfing and Internet

Chrome

Chrome is a favourite by most, including me. Made by Google and just as fast on Linux as it is on Mac and Windows computers, Google Chrome is our first choice for web browsers on Linux computers.

Skype

Just because you are now using Linux doesn’t mean people wont stop calling you.

Skype is just as good on Linux as other platforms and works effortlessly. Once installed all you need to do is enter your username and password and all your contacts will follow you to your Linux computer.

Pidgin

Pidgin is a great program for using multiple chat and Instant Message networks. Pigdin supports,

• AIM
• Bonjour
• Gadu-Gadu
• Google Talk
• Groupwise
• ICQ
• IRC
• MSN
• MXit
• SILC
• SIMPLE
• Sametime
• XMPP
• Yahoo!
• Zephyr

Multi/Media

VLC Player

Most Windows and Mac users will already probably be using VLC player to play all their movies and most liekly a lot of their music.

VLC can also stream directly from the internet and works along side a lot of other applications which should make it your number one choice for media on a Linux computer.

digiKam

Sometimes Linux has option and applications other platforms do not.

digiKam is a really decent photo management tools not only used by home users but many professionals in the industry.

Gimp

I’ve written a lot of time about Gimp, but for anyone who missed it, its basically a small little photo editing program for free to to download which works on all platforms.

Not to be replaced as a Photoshop type tools, but very handy for touch ups and quick changes to photographs.

Backup

Crashplan

Crashplan is a great Linux backup program for backing up all your important files.

A big problem with backing up is, what happens if when something happens to your computer, it also happens to your backup, like theft, fire etc.

With Crashplan you can backup to Crashplans Cloud servers, or even to another computer such as a friend or at work.