Best Ubuntu 8.10 Applications

Ubuntu Linux has the ability to run thousands of applications that you can simply install by running the Add/Remove software tool. The default operating system also comes with a full compliment of software to meets just about any need that may arise, from surfing the Internet to editing images, and word processing.

The default applications packed with Ubuntu Linux are well designed and compete on the same level to just about any commercially produced product. Besides the default applications, there are a couple of applications that you can add to further enhance your user experience.

Surfing the Internet

Firefox is the king browser of the Ubuntu Linux desktop. It is the default browser for the Ubuntu desktop. This browser is also making headway into the Windows desktop environment. You will be hard pressed to find another browser with similar capabilities.

There are other browser options available. For example, you may want to give Epiphany a try. This browser was created specifically for the GNOME desktop and has many of the same feature available in Firefox. It will run a little more efficiently then Firefox on your system if you are using a lower end PC.

Another browser to check out in the future will be Google's Chrome. Google has reported that they are working on an open source Linux version of their browser that should marry up with Ubuntu.

Chat

The default application is called Pidgin Internet Messenger. This chat client will interface with most chat servers like AOL IM, etc. It does not appear to be able to interface with a web cam.

E-mail

Evolution is a powerful e-mail client that is included with Ubuntu Linux. Another client you may want to try is Mozilla's Thunderbird. Thunderbird is created by the same group that produce Firefox. Thunderbird is extensible, meaning that you can add numerous features to make it a more powerful application. For example, you can add a Lightning, which interfaces with Google Calendar

Games

One of the biggest drawbacks to using Ubuntu Linux as your desktops is that there is a lack of commercially developed gaming software for Linux. Now there is a software package called Windows Emulator, otherwise known as Wine, that can be used to run may Windows applications. To install Wine, got to Applications -> Add/Remove and perform a search for Wine once you select "All Available applications.

Music

There are two popular music players available in Ubuntu. The default program is Rhythmbox which interfaces well with the GNOME desktop. You can also use Amarok, which is the KDE version. Both players have similar capability and will even work with MP3 players and iPods.

Word Processing

Microsoft Word office suite has been the most widely used office package to date. However, there is a suite called OpenOffice that was created by Sun that is available in Ubuntu Linux. Open office has the capability to open most Microsoft documents. It does not carry quite as many features as MS Word.

Overall, for most Internet browsing sessions, light office work, and general entertainment, the applications that are available in Ubuntu Linux will do the job.