More Useful Open Source Applications 2011 03/29/11

In 2008, I wrote the popular post “Top 100 of the Best (Useful) OpenSource Applications” http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/top-100-of-the-best-useful-opensource-applications/ As of today, it has been viewed over 1.8 million times. Still, one of the more common questions I get asked by new Linux users, revolves around the subject “What application do I use for…”

Over the last couple of months, I’ve received more and more of these type of questions. I remember when I first started this blog, I think I was using Ubuntu 7.04 and had just reinstalled Ubuntu 8.04. Today I’m using Ubuntu 10.04, with the following hardware (also changed since I first started using a Linux based OS):

Asus VH242H 23.6 1920×1080 LCD
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Socket AM2 CPU
Kingston 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
Seagate 750GB Serial ATA HD 7200/16MB/SATA-3G
Shuttle SA76G2 Socket AM2+ Barebone
LG 22X DVDRW SATA
ASUS VH242H 23.6in Wide 1920×1080 5ms LCD Monitor
SB Audigy 2ZS 24-Bit Surround 5.1*
Logitech Quickcam Fusion
Creative Inspire 5200 5.1 Speakers

*The Shuttle board already has integrated sound, but I preferred to use the Audigy soundcard that was on one of my old systems.

While this is by no means the most powerful desktop, it gets the job done for me. Needless to say, the following is a list of applications I use on this hardware. Because I do a lot of web and design work (as well as networking and technical support) the list leans towards such related applications (but I have included some “fun” ones).  Hopefully this resource will help new Ubuntu users. If I missed something you think should be included, please let me know in the comments below, thanks. I worked hard to put this post together, so if you like it, please bookmark it or link to it from your site, or social favourites, and let me know. – Thanks!

Here are the Applications:

OpenShot | apt:openshot | http://www.gimp.org/

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install openshot openshot-doc

I use it as a quick way to join video segments together, to create transitions and effects. It also allows me to slice out specific segments of existing video and use them to create a new one. I like it because it’s simple fast and useful.

GIMP | apt:gimp | http://www.gimp.org/

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install gimp gimp-data-extras

I use this for quick editing (as well as advanced) or to open TIFF, JPG, PNG, PSD files. It is NOT a replacement for Photoshop, but after I got used to the interface, it became easier to use. Main uses (for me), photo editing and enhancement, photo retouching, graphic creation, logo creation, etc. I do not use this application for vector graphics work. There is a plugin registry at http://registry.gimp.org/

Inkscape | apt:inkscape | http://www.inkscape.org/

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install inkscape

I use this for vector graphic creation. It is not a replacement for Illustrator, however it’s a great alternative. Main uses (for me), vector editing and manipulation, graphic creation, logo creation, etc. I do not commonly use this application for raster graphics work. Inkscape does provide some tutorials, which greatly help users become familiar with the interface and tools: http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/

Dia | apt:dia | http://projects.gnome.org/dia/

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install dia dia-libs dia-common

I use this for Dia to document network layouts in a visual manner. I do this when I create or change a network for my clients. There are all kind of icons (Server, Desktop, Database, Router, etc.) that make it easier for clients to understand their network documentation – Again, they key being that it’s a visible diagram. This application reminds me a lot of Visio, which I used when I worked in a predominately Windows based environment. Personally, I’m not too happy with the interface (same issue with GIMP), but the application gets the job done for me.

Fonty Python | apt:fontypython | https://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/fontypython

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install fontypython

In terms of design and graphic work, this application is a gem! All my fonts are stored in one large directory. Fonty Python helps me gather different fonts and structure them into collections, specific to each project. I don’t have to copy fonts, I still leave them in the large directory! If I remember correctly, I think Mac and Windows users have something similar called “Suitcase”? Bottom line, when I’m ready to work on a specific project, I activate the font collection for that project, start up my application and work.

Hugin | apt:hugin | http://hugin.sourceforge.net/

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install hugin hugin-data

I use this simply to stitch photos together for “panoramic” views. Several tutorials are available at http://hugin.sourceforge.net/tutorials/index.shtml

PDFmod | apt:pdfmod | http://live.gnome.org/PdfMod

Terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pdfmod-team/ppa
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install pdfmod

I use this to edit PDF documents. Reorganize them, add or remove pages, and so on. Very useful when you’re in a pinch!

RawTherapee | apt:rawtherapee | http://www.rawtherapee.com

Terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:rawtherapee/ppa
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install rawtherapee

A package for editing RAW images as well as a RAW converter and digital photo processing application. Again, very useful; when a camera is plugged in and the images are in RAW format.

Skype | apt:skype | http://skype.com

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install skype

Video conferencing and calling. One thing I did experience – No video? Try this: Install v4l2ucp and change the preview program via v4l2ucp to skype instead of mplayer. Start preview, Skype loads, and video works.

HandBrake | apt:handbrake-gtk | http://handbrake.fr/

Terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stebbins/handbrake-snapshots
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install handbrake-gtk

Video transcoder / decoder. A handy tool to have when you’re working with video files. One thing I like about it is that it works with almost any media as it uses libavformat to read and libavcodec to decode – And it’s cross-platform!

Transmission | apt:transmission | http://www.transmissionbt.com/

Terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:transmissionbt/ppa
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install transmission

A great tool to download Ubuntu or other Open Source related CDs. Select and set the download to run and it just works. Easy!

Chrome | apt:chrome-browser | http://www.chromium.org/

Terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chromium-daily/ppa
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install chromium-browser

I’ll be honest – I don’t like this web browser. Personally I find the interface “old fashioned” in appearance, I find it assumes too much, in terms of what I want to see in a browser, and so on (I’m a Firefox user). However, others may not agree. This is a good alternative browser and it’s also fast.

ISO Master | apt:isomaster | http://www.littlesvr.ca/isomaster/

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install isomaster

If you need to update or otherwise edit ISO files, this application will provide the features you need. This means you can add, remove or deleted files from an ISO. Additionally, other formats are also accessible, such as NRG, IMG, etc.

Trimage | apt:trimage | http://trimage.org/

Terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kilian/trimage
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install trimage

I use this to compress image file sizes – Lossless!  It supports PNG and JPG. And again, one feature I like is that it’s cross-platform friendly.

Gmount-iso | apt:gmountiso | https://launchpad.net/gmount-iso

Terminal:
sudo aptitude install gmountiso

Sometimes I don’t want to install a CD. This application allows me to easily mount a CD image.

RecordMyDesktop | apt:gtk-recordmydesktop | http://recordmydesktop.sourceforge.net/

Terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/gtk-recordmydesktop
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install gtk-recordmydesktop

Need to create a screencast? This tool does a good job for me. I like that I can record the whole screen, or just one area. The ability to tweak the video and sound quality is also a nice feature. Output files are in .ogv format, but they can be converted to other formats.

DropBox | apt:nautilus-dropbox| http://www.dropbox.com/

Terminal:
sudo apt-key adv –keyserver pgp.mit.edu –recv-keys 5044912E
sudo aptitude install nautilus-dropbox

A great tool for online backup, file sync, and sharing. For me at least, it’s the easiest way to store, sync, and, share files online. All I have to do is drag and drop files right from my desktop or folder. Also, they have a rewards system to get more space: Automatically sync a folder across computers with Dropbox! Use the following link to receive an extra 250MB for free as I’ll also get extra space too! We both win!

Clonezilla | Download | http://clonezilla.org

While I don’t normally use applications that have no repository (actually this is the only one I made an allowance for). I found this application to be very worthwhile. Why? Once I install Ubuntu and then install all my applications (and configure their settings), I can use Clonezilla to create an image of the disk. This way, if disaster strikes, I can simply restore the image. One caveat – MAKE SURE you have regular backups of all your important files (as you’ll probably not be recreating disk images all of the time). Again there’s no repository (that I’m aware of), but this application is useful.

More applications, etc. will be uploaded when I have extra time. I’ve been very busy on many projects, for the last several months, so it’s good to come back and find a bit of time to blog about Ubuntu related things; something I enjoy!

What applications would you include, what apps do your enjoy, which ones deserve your mention? Feel free to include them in the comments below!