Top 5 Non-Default Linux Apps

February 28th, 2007 by rick

Okay, this is not where I list my favorite apps.. this is where I am looking for YOUR favorites.

I just did an install of Debian Sarge 2.6kernel with Gnome as the desktop.  I prefer KDE but I am an idiot, and for the moment, Gnome is what is there… I’ll install KDE later if I find I can’t get around with Gnome…or I’ll do Fluxbox.  I’m told Gnome is nice… we’ll see.

Anyway, I want a list of your favorite (doesn’t have to be 5) apps that don’t come with the standard distro… or maybe they are included but not installed by default, or maybe deeply buried that I may not know about.  I do development, office work, etc… I also toy with networking and such… just to give you an idea what I’m into.  Don’t say The GIMP or OpenOffice, obviously I know about those… I’m looking for the lesser-known diamonds in the rough.

Posted in Technology |

4 Responses to “Top 5 Non-Default Linux Apps”

  1. bofe Says:
    February 28th, 2007 at 12:46 pm

    Amarok is an iTunes clone that rocks very hard.

    Eclipse, obviously

    Automatix is handy for getting proprietary stuff like Flash to play

    Comes by Default in Ubuntu, not sure about Deb… but Synaptic is a GUI for APT

    and, I use the gnome panels to display the weather. Right click on the “taskbar” in gnome, add panel… weather should be in there

  2. Stephen Mizell Says:
    February 28th, 2007 at 1:14 pm

    I use checkgmail for checking gmail (hence the name), and there is Gnomesword if you are looking for things in the Bible.

    Also check out the Gimp and OpenOffice if you get a chance ;)

  3. tami Says:
    March 1st, 2007 at 12:42 am

    If you are the fan of KDE, my favorites will probably not suit your taste - but anyway - you asked, so here’s the answer:

    1. mpd, mpc, ncmpc for listening to the music (mpd is a daemon, mpc - command line player and ncmpc - ncurses player) - it’s very light and effective - also - if you like transparent terminals - it looks very well on a nice background.If you like last.fm - you could also install mpdscribble.

    2. Conky for system monitoring (also light! and can look nice…a bit tricky to set up in Gnome ;)

    3.My fav WM: Fluxbox, FVWM-Crystal, wmii and lately - Enlightenment (both E16 and E17).

    4. Snownews as rss-reader (also command line), mutt - as a mail client, vifm as file manger (just for vim fans - very quick, effective and actually - easy…)

    5. Wyrd as the calendar and reminder, hnb as notebook and last but not least - cowsay - for a smile in the morning…:) ;) .

    I think I could proceed much longer - and sorry that there are more than 5 applications - but I hope it could be of a helpp for you. BTW - just for now I’m running Elive but all those app’s are avaiable in Debian repository (Elive is based on Debian).

    I wish you fruitful farther exploring of Linux Land.

    Best wishes,

    tami :)

  4. rick Says:
    March 1st, 2007 at 1:18 pm

    Guys and Gal,

    Thanks for the suggestions. I’m actually attempting to get gnomesword installed atm… Eclipse will go on today as well. Synaptic was there by default and amarok won’t be going on because I am using the machine while at work and don’t really play music at all.

    Conky and Wyrd will likely go on if for no other reason than just to eval them a bit. Tami, I too like Flux a lot… first time I ever installed Ubuntu I was sad to find it was just Gnome, then found Kubuntu and was sad that it was just KDE.. Debian is nice because it comes with both and Flux is VERY easy to introduce. Regardless, I really appreciate your suggestions; thank you for coming and recommending.

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