Linux beginners' guide: first top five apps to download

If you read my Beginners' guide to Linux at the end of September, you'll know that I'm both new to Linux and a non-techie when it comes to computers. 

Linux has been known for years as a nerd's playground, where those wanting an alternative to Apple and Microsoft existed in a largely independent and free computer environment. However, the techie nature of most users had led to it developing into something far from user friendly for beginners.

However, with distributions such as  Ubuntu, Linux Mint, OpenSUSE, Fedora and Debian becoming more user friendly and stable, Linux is starting to become a place beginners can dare to tread. Linus operating systems tend to cut out a lot of excess nonsense you don't really need, making them light and fast (so perfect for laptops, netbooks etc) - and best of all, it's still free.

Of course, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for those trying Linux distributions is the lack of familiarity. Gone are Word, Exel and Explorer,for example. But they are replaced with free alternatives, such as Open Office (for all your office needs) and Firefox (for surfing the web).

In my next Linux blog, I will look at some of the programs that come as part of the standard installation of the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution. Today though, I'll let you in on the first five extra applications I've successfully installed on my Ubuntu-powered laptop to make me feel more at home in this new environment.

Wine

While you may want to move away from a Microsoft operating system, there might be some programs you really can't (or simply don't want to) live without that won't work on Linux machines. On many occasions, this is where Wine can step in. And this isn't strictly for the benefit of Linux users either - there is also a version for using on the Mac operating system, so Apple fans can sneakily use software designed to run on Microsoft PCs and laptops too.

One of the great things about using a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu is you don't have to crawl around the internet looking for download locations. Much like an app store on a smartphone, Ubuntu has a built in software centre with a vast array of programs ready for download. This software centre is also responsible for keeping those same programs up to date, so you can check for and run updates to your software from one central location.

But back to the wonders of Wine (available through the 'Ubuntu Software Centre'). Once installed, you'll find the handy Windows Notepad program installed - the rest of it you'll have to explore for yourselves. One very popular area Wine is great for is games - you'll soon be playing the likes of Guild Wars, Counter Strike and World Of Warcraft once Wine is up and running, as well as programs such as Photoshop, iTunes, even Internet Explorer (although we have no idea why you'd want to do that!).

Chromium

Also accessible through the Ubuntu Software Centre is Chromium, the open source version of Google's own web browser, Chrome. Many people have already converted to Chrome as their internet browser, as it is arguably the fastest browser out there right now. It also has a very large viewable area for a browser and has some small but significant little highlights, such as being able to do a Google search by typing directly into the address bar.

This version seems to work pretty much flawlessly, although I did have a problem with Java that was only rectified when I updated Java on the Firefox browser (Ubuntu was checking the Firefox folder for it, instead of the Chromium one!). However, other than that, it's just as it is on my Windows machine.

If you've never experimented with other browsers, except perhaps Explorer or Safari, it is really worthwhile. Firefox, which comes as the standard on Ubuntu, is also hugely popular, mainly due to a users ability to customise it to meet their specific needs (syncing bookmarks, adding themes, managing downloads etc). That said, Chromium is also very customisable now too.

Spotify

I was mightily relieved when I found out that I could get Spotify up and running on my Linux machine! I haven't decided whether I think it's a good or bad thing for the music industry as yet, but suffice it to say that I'm totally addicted to it.

If you're yet to use Spotify, you basically get access to millions and millions (yes, millions) of songs, legally, for free. You have to suffer occasional adverts between songs, but otherwise it's like having the biggest MP3 collection you can imagine at your finger tips. And, if you want to pay a monthly fee, you can get rid of the ads too.

Its so much more than a simple radio. You can play albums, bands, make playlists, randomise - it's got the lot. And best of all, it works perfectly from Wine - simply download it from the Spotify website, right click the .exe file and 'Open with Wine Windows program loader'. That's it - it should then appear in your Wine folder in all its glory.

There is actually a proper Linux version available to Premium and Unlimited users, but not for 'free' users (November 2010). This is apparently because they're struggling to make the adverts work, so seeing as they're not exactly going to make a mint from Linux free users, don't hold your breath for a free non-Wine version. However, it works great, so no worries really.

VLC

There are lots of media players available through the Ubuntu Software Centre, with VLC being among the most popular. VLC is the result of the open source VideoLAN project and is also available for windows and Apple machines, alongside a host of Linus distributions.

As its website so rightly points out, it really does play everything: MPEG (plus 2 and 4), DivX, MOV, WMA, QuickTime, MP3, as well as play DVDs, VCDs, multimedia streams and fancier stuff too. You can rip DVDs too, as well as adding album art etc.

Its website also features well over 100 'skins' you can use to customise the player, while Linux users get the full benefit of the project's hard work - you'll find the VideoLAN community will get the VLC player up and running with new file formats on the Linux version before its more illustrious competitors get a look in, with the Linux version being the only one to support every video and audio format it covers.

Slingshot

This one is a little out of the left field, but as a fan of turn-based games I wanted to include it. 

While Ubuntu Netbook does come with a few games (Marjong, a Tetris clone, sudoku and patience) I was quickly after another little gaming app to fuel very occasional breaks from my busy work schedule (ahem).

Describing itself as "a Newtonian strategy game", Slingshot is a very simple yet hard to master two-player game (once again available from the Ubuntu Software Centre).

The goal is simple - angle your ship and fire a shot, with the intention of destroying your opponent. The tricky part is there are planets in the way, meaning you have to 'slingshot' your missiles (taking it in turns) using the gravity of said planets to angle them to the target. All you can do is rotate your ship and change the direction/power of each shot - and it's as tricky as can be.

There are a mass of options (including making the planets invisible...), it really is deceptively simple, but really tough to master.

Of course there are a bunch of really graphically intensive Linux games too, alongside all the ones you can play via Wine, but more on those another time. Just... one... more... game... first...