The first three
So let’s see now I’ve been a linux user for the better part of six years now. I know that doesn’t put my anywhere near the top in those pissing contest of “I’ve been using linux since..”, but it does mean I’ve got enough familiarity with it that I can at least point out a few tools that I find useful. Since I’ve got the space and don’t feel much remorse burning a few extra bits out on the internet I’ll try to share some of my meager knowledge. So let’s get down to those apps that I always find myself firing up once I power up.
First up in my list is Gaim, which is a multi-protocol messenger. What that means is that with one program you can pull in an IRC Chat, talk with a few people on Google Talk and still hook up with your friends who just won’t give up their AIM accounts. It’s actually cross platform and will run on Windows as well as Linux, it’s one of those things I find myself relying on.
Evolution is the mail app I use much to the chagrin of many of my more command line oriented friends. I seem to find it close to Outlook/Exchange and easy enough to configure, it has folders, calendars, contacts, memos and many of those things you expect in a decent mail client. I’m not an email power user so it performs for my needs and I still have Viagra ads hanging around from 2003.
For web browsing is there any other choice out there besides Firefox. I mean I know there are other browsers out there but does anyone actually use Opera or Konqueror that don’t have highschool fight the system attitude? Firefox does what I want and so much more. Extensions are genius and if you are using Firefox and haven’t taken the time to look at what’s out there you need to pencil that into your schedule.
So there you have the three things I launch automatically upon boot-up once I’m at the job site or pulling out my laptop at home. The good ole wizards spell book is running Fedora Core 5 with Gnome for any of you that are sitting on pins and needles waiting to find out. I’m usually the early adopter in the office and everyone waits to see if I successfully get the next version installed or end up with a molten pile of slag and plastic once I get those hot little discs in my hand.
I’m not sure where I’m going to go with this space in the end but I think my next I’ll go with command line utilities to know and love.