Essential Desktop, Office, and Internet Applications

Now that we have Ubuntu configured to install virtually all applications and have let Automatix do some installations and configurations for you, let’s turn our attention to Internet, desktop, and productivity software. Ubuntu’s default installation already has many of these installed for you, so your work here will just be to do a couple of simple installs and to become familiar with the packages.

Firefox Web Browser
If there ever was an open source application that needs no introduction, this this it. On Windows, it is touted as a more secure browser than Internet Explorer and on Linux it is no different. Firefox offers tabbed browsing, hundreds of plug-ins, and is compliant with Internet standards. Not really too much to elaborate on here as it “just works”.

Firefox Web Browser is located here: Applications > Internet
It is also available on the GNOME shortcut bar (located next to your System menu) on a default Ubuntu install.

Open Office
Perhaps one of the most professional and impressive open source applications (outside of Linux itself) is Open Office. Being completely Microsoft friendly, meaning it can both read and save to Microsoft Office formats, Open Office is feature-rich. For the casual user, it offers text editing with real-time spell checking, thesaurus, and an autocomplete/autoformat feature which is significantly less annoying that Microsoft Word’s. Also included is Open Office Calc which is for most intents and purposes the same as Excel. For the professional, Open Office offers Impress: a Power Point replacement, Base: an Access replacement, Math: a mathematical formula editor, and Draw: an advanced page maker. All of which are equipped with the same advanced tools Microsoft Office offers such as macro creation and document protection via passwords. Additionally, one very convenient feature Microsoft Office does not offer that Open Office does is the ability to send your documents to PDF with a click of a button on your toolbar.

The Open Office Suite is located here: Applications > Office

Open Office Writer, Calc, and Impress

Evolution
The only thing Open Office lacks is a complete email solution, and this is exactly where Evolution picks up. Making a direct comparison to Microsoft Outlook, Evolution is a fully featured email client supporting all the standard connection protocols (POP3, IMAP, etc.), contact manager, calendar / scheduler, and personal task manager. The features keep on rolling, as you can also create mailbox rules and filters to have your email automatically sorted, the calendar is integrated into your system clock (just left click on it to see), and there is even the ability to sync your email from your hand held Palm device through gnome-Pilot. Evolution even offers organization collaboration features such as the ability to view other users mail folders and calendar (when permissions allow it). You will definitely be able to hit the ground running, as Evolution runs a configuration wizard the first time you launch it to set up your email accounts.

Evolution is located here: Applications > Office

Evolution

GAIM
As you can probably guess, GAIM is a Linux version of AIM. Offering the ability to send instant messages, transfer files, and join multi-user chats, GAIM does everything AIM does except for one glaring difference. There are absolutely zero ads which are displayed, no “start” page, and no additional programs which get installed when you are setting it up. Quite simply it is all it needs to be, a fully functioning instant message program.

GAIM is located here: Applications > Internet

GAIM

GIMP Image Editor
Another popular open source program which works on both Windows and Linux. While GIMP (which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program) is not a complete PhotoShop replacement, it is a very good tool for handling 99% of the graphics tasks you encounter. Much like PhotoShop, GIMP is layer based meaning your graphic is composed of “mini-graphics” which are stacked on top of each other. While the controls may be a bit awkward at first and you will most likely be fumbling around when you start using it to find the desired option, you do get accustomed to it and will soon be able to navigate quickly. GIMP supports virtually every format, including PhotoShop’s PSD and is an all around fantastic graphics tool.

GIMP Image Editor is located here: Applications > Graphics

GIMP Image Editor

GNU Cash
For you Microsoft Money, Quicken, or Quickbooks users out there, GNU Cash is the program for you. GNU Cash can be used for anything from managing a simple checkbook or keeping a stock portfolio all the way up to mortgage payments and detailed business accounting. GNU Cash has virtually all the functionality of Microsoft Money or Quicken, including the fancy graphs, and all but the highest level of detail tracking offered by Quickbooks. Setting up your checkbook or business accounts is a breeze, as the wizard which opens when you first run the program offers excellent templates and does almost everything for you. The help system is very good as well, but the intuitiveness, much like Microsoft Money and Quicken, and the extended Quickbooks-like functionality is what makes GNU Cash a true Linux equivalent.
Install it from Synaptic, the package name is “gnucash” and then create a menu entry using the Applications Menu Editor (under Applications > System Tools):

1. Click on Office in the left pane (to place it in Applications > Office)


2. Click New Entry


3. Name= GNU Cash


4. Command= gnucash


5. Click the box which reads No Icon


6. Browse to and select: /usr/share/pixmaps/gnucash/gnucash-icon.png


7. Click OK to save


8. Close Menu Editor

GNU Cash

Revelation Password Manager
There are so many user names and passwords you have to remember, it quickly becomes overwhelming. Due to this, I consider a password management program a must. Revelation is a great straight-forward and secure password manager. In addition to the obvious password storage, retrieval, and categorizing functionality, Revelation also gives you the ability to create associations between categories and programs. For instance, you can associate the “Websites” category with Firefox to have Revelation launch your browser and go directly to the site. There are also tools to both generate and verify the security of your passwords.

Install it from Synaptic, the package name is “revelation” and then it is located here: Applications > Accessories

Revelation Password Manager

Simple Backup
No transition guide is complete unless a backup solution is presented. As the name of the program states, Simple Backup is just that. You supply the directories to backup, optionally specify inclusion or exclusion filters, and set your backup location. Complete or incremental file copy backups are performed on the schedule you set. The best thing about Simple Backup is the target can be a local or network directory or even a remote FTP site. It only takes about 5 minutes to set it and forget it.

Install it using Automatix, then look in: System > Administration

Simple Backup

Other Programs: A Quick List

Adobe Acrobat Reader - We have all used it and we all need it. Install it using Automatix, then look in: Applications > Office

File Roller Archive Manager - Compression and decompression tool which supports virtually all formats. Be sure to use Automatix to install additional decoders. Find it here: Applications > Accessories

Azureus - Advanced bit torrent client, the same as on Windows. Install it using Automatix, then look in: Applications > Internet

gFTP - Straight-forward, intuitive FTP program. Install it using Automatix, then look in: Applications > Internet

Terminal Server Client - Remote desktop connection client which supports Windows’ RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) and standard VNC. Find it here: Applications > Internet

File Roller	gFTP	Term. Server Client