FREE Linux Applications

You won't typically see Linux applications in computer software stores because the vast majority of Linux applications are FREE!

Mandriva Linux (previously "Mandrake Linux") comes with literally hundreds of free software packages, however there are a few programs that I like to keep up-to-date between regular releases of Mandriva... and a couple of free programs that aren't included on the Mandriva CDs.  Relax... they're just as close as the Internet!

OpenOffice 2.x - Included in Mandriva Linux - a full office suite compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint files. OpenOffice also directly exports files to PDF.

OpenOffice Extras - Third party templates, macros, and a clip art image library.
OpenOffice Docs - Documentation and HOW TO files.

AbiWord - While not as "feature rich" as Microsoft® Word (AbiWord lacks advanced features such as form tools), it is faster, more efficient and more stable. AbiWord is a "cross platform" word processing program compatible with Microsoft Word - available for Linux, Microsoft Windows & Mac OS X.

Adobe Acrobat Reader - although Mandriva Linux comes with several PDF file viewers, the download version may not include Acrobat.

Amaya - Amaya is a Web editor (i.e. a tool used to create and update documents directly on the Web). The ONLY XHTML Editor that I've found with a GUI.

Aria - An outstanding little FTP Download program with resume. Essential for downloading large iso images.

Bluefish - A nice HTML Editor. Yeah... it's included with Mandriva, but I like to visit their site every now and then.

Dia - Linux equivalent to the Visio Flowcharting program (also included in Mandriva).

JAVA - Runtime Edition - Interestingly, the download version of Mandriva may not include JAVA . Also, you may need to "tweek" your path to JAVA to get some apps to work.

kGuitar (A powerful program for convenient tabulature editing, including many effects and classical note score editing for classic instrument players; Full and very customizable MIDI to tabulature import and export; Support of extra data formats, such as ASCII tabulatures or popular programs' format, such as Guitar Pro's or TablEdit; Chord fingering construction tools - chord finder & chord analyzer; Highly customizable to suit a lot of possible instruments (not only 6-stringed guitars, and even not only guitars), including drum tracks, lyrics and other MIDI events.)

KMyMoney2 - A Personal Finance Manager equivalent to Qwicken or Microsoft Money. Not as good as GnuCash, but better than Gnofin. kMyMoney holds promise.

LimeWire - Another MP3 server / search program. It may take a little work to install, but it works fine once the PATH to JAVA is established.

Mozilla / Netscape Plugins - It goes without saying that many web designers are JERKS who want you to install every "plug-in" ever created. Here's where you can get them.

NapShare - MP3 server / search program available in an "easy to install" RPM file for Mandrake and Redhat.

Qtella - MP3 server / search program - an "easy to install" RPM file is available on RPMFind.net

RealPlayer - In an easy to install generic RPM.

Seamonkey (Mozilla "Seamonkey" replaces the Mozilla Suite, which is not included with Mandriva. I prefer Seamonkey over Firefox.)

gFTP - An excellent little FTP Program equivalent to WS_FTP. Great for managing those web sites.

XnView - A great utility for viewing and converting graphic files (download the "static" RPM).

Yahoo! Messenger - for Mandrake - Easy to install and use - in an RPM file.

Need something else that wasn't included with Mandriva Linux? Check out Seer of Souls (SOS) or RPM Pbone.net first, then try RPMFind.net. Still can't find what you need? Go to Tucows and check out the 100 most popular Linux downloads.  ;-)

Once you're comfortable in working with TAR files, check out the KDE Applications site.

  BTW, if you want to create your own Linux web site using some neat pretty graphics, check out: http://adamscomp.8m.com/artist/linux.htm