LibreOffice 7.2.4.1 WriterLibreOffice 7.2.4.1 Writer, Calc, Impress and Draw
Many people are reluctant to use Linux for fear of not having access to programs they use within Windows or Mac OS. Indeed, Windows and Mac-based program will NOT run on Linux. However, there is almost always a free, open source alternative to popular proprietary software. For example, the programs in the LibreOffice suite (a freely available Microsoft Office equivalent) are quite adept at editing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. LibreOffice usually comes installed with most Linux distributions. There is also a free Windows emulator called WINE that can usually run Windows software.
Mozilla Firefox - A cross-platform web browser replacing Internet Explorer that provides tabbed browsing, increased security and customization (extensions).
Mozilla Internet Suite - the GNU licensed web suite including a web browser, email client, calendar, web debugger, plugins, an IRC chat client and an FTP client.
Pidgin IM - IM client that can handle multiple protocols (AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger, and Zephyr networks).
aMSN - a Linux alternative to MSN Messenger
Mozilla Thunderbird - A cross-platform email client replacing Microsoft Outlook.
VLC - a cross-platform audio/video player which will play just about any format and codec. Replaces QuickTime, Windows Media Player and DVD Player software. VLC also has extensive video/audio streaming and transcoding facilities.
MPlayer - similar to VLC but without the streaming options.