Finding Common Desktop Applications in Linux

If you are going to use Linux as a desktop computer system, you have to be able to write documents, work with graphics, and crunch numbers. You probably also have other favorite applications, like a music player, Web browser, and e-mail reader.

Note 

Using WINE technology, the people at Codeweavers, Inc. offer a CrossOver Office product that lets you install and run Microsoft Office in Linux. See the “Running Windows Applications with WINE” section later in this chapter.

To give you a snapshot of what desktop applications are available, Table 5-1 contains a list of popular Windows applications, equivalent Linux applications, and where you can find the Linux applications. Although many of these applications have not reached the level of sophistication of their Windows counterparts, they can be cost-effective alternatives.

Table 5-1: Windows-Equivalent Linux Applications

Windows Applications	Linux Applications	Where to Get Linux Applications	Cost
Microsoft Office (office productivity suite)	OpenOffice.org (openoffice.org) Koffice StarOffice	Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD www.sun.com/staroffice	Free Free $79.95
Microsoft Word (word processor)	OpenOffice.org Writer AbiWord kword	Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD	Free Free Free
Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet)	OpenOffice.org Calc gnumeric kspread	Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD	Free Free Free
Microsoft Powerpoint (presentation)	OpenOffice.org Impress kpresenter	Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD	Free Free
Microsoft Internet Explorer (Web browser)	mozilla firefox epiphany konqueror opera	Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD www.opera.com	Free Free Free Free Free download
Microsoft Outlook (e-mail reader)	evolution kmail thunderbird Mozilla Mail	Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD Included on Fedora Core DVD	Free Free Free Free
Adobe Photoshop (image editor)	The Gimp (gimp)	Included on Fedora Core DVD	Free
Microsoft Front Page (HTML editor)	quanta	Included on Fedora Core DVD	Free
Quicken or Microsoft Money (personal finance)	gnucash	Included on Fedora Core DVD	Free
AutoCAD (computer- aided design)	LinuxCad	www.linuxcad.com	$89

The following sections describe how to find and work with application programs that are included or available specifically for Linux.