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.
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 | 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 | 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.