With the release of Windows 10, all computer users should start thinking about how to update their pc. Those who still use Windows 7 and do not want to buy a new Windows 10 license or those who have an old PC on which Windows works badly, then there is only one way: go to Linux . Thanks to the release of the new version of Ubuntu, there has never been a more opportune moment to start using Linux instead of Windows which, I remember, is a free and free system also for commercial use
With this brief guide we see how to make Linux an excellent replacement for Windows, installing alternatives to the most popular programs.
The starting point is Ubuntu, the Linux version or distribution that must be installed on the main PC if you actually want to replace Windows for daily computer use .
Ubuntu is a complete and powerful operating system, easy to use, which also includes the LibreOffice office program suite, a free alternative to Microsoft Office, Firefox to surf the internet, Thunderbird for e-mail and many other viewing applications. videos, playing music, chatting, and more. Ubuntu can be downloaded freely and for free, burn to a DVD and install, in Italian, as the main operating system. If you prefer to give it a try first, you can start your computer from the DVD and start Ubuntu Live, without installing it.
READ ALSO: 10 easy ways to use and try Linux from Windows on your computer
During the Ubuntu installation it will also be proposed to install some additional software such as Flash and codecs to listen to music and watch videos. Once Ubuntu is installed and restarted with the new system, be sure to install the latest updates via the Software Updater application that appears. Ubuntu can be used instead of Windows without having to learn particular things, always using the mouse to launch programs and administer the system by changing the options. In some cases, to install some programs, it is required to write commands with the keyboard. Without any fear of making mistakes, they should simply be copied and executed following the instructions that can be read in the guides or in specialized sites.
On a Linux computer there are some programs that are excellent alternatives to the more popular programs used on Windows. They can be searched, downloaded and installed directly from the system, from the Ubuntu Software Center (in other distributions it is the same but, if they are not found, they can always be downloaded from the internet).
Divided into categories, we see the list of the best programs for Linux :
1) Videos and DVDs
Although Totem, Ubuntu's default application works well, VLC is certainly the best program for playing videos on Linux Ubuntu or other distros. Another excellent Linux program is SMPlayer . It is also convenient to install Ubuntu Restricted Extras using the terminal and running the command: sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Linux does not yet have a video editor program that can compete with Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro.
But if we talk about simpler programs like Windows Movie Maker, on Linux you can very valid alternatives like Kdenlive, full of advanced features, Pitivi and OpenShot as more basic solutions for users with simpler needs.
To play DVDs with Linux Ubuntu, due to copyright problems, the installation of an additional codec called libdvdcss2 is required (see instructions here).
We also recommend installing the excellent Kodi and also Plex to transform the computer into a multimedia center (ideal for a laptop).
2) Web Browser
Except Internet Explorer and Safari, all other popular browsers are also available on Linux. By default, the Ubuntu internet browsing program is Firefox . If you prefer, you can install Chrome or Opera in the official version for Linux. The Linux version of Chrome supports web applications, extensions and everything that also works on Windows. Linux is also packed with lesser-known browsers and lighter alternatives that work very well like Midori .
3) Email Client
If you have to use a program to send and receive e-mail on your computer as you did with Microsoft Outlook on Windows, you can find the Mozilla Thunderbird program already installed on Ubuntu.
4) Office
Many companies and institutions have standardized the use of Microsoft Office, however there are many open source alternatives that allow students and professionals to work and remain competitive without having to pay for expensive Microsoft products. LibreOffice is ideal, derived from the OpenOffice suite, supplied by default with the most popular Linux distributions, compatible with Microsoft Office documents.
You can therefore use:
LibreOffice Writer instead of Microsoft Word
LibreOffice Calc instead of Microsoft Excel
LibreOffice Impress instead of Microsoft PowerPoint.
An excellent alternative is the Calligra Suite, a complete solution for office programs. This project is not as mature as LibreOffice, but it is in a very active state of development and presents a different approach, with all programs using the same basic code, integrating with each other.
An alternative program to Word is AbiWord, a very light and basic computer writing program.
Gnumeric is instead a light substitute for Excel.
Scribus is an excellent alternative for Microsoft Publisher.
5) Instant Messaging and Voice Chat
Ubuntu supports a wide range of applications for chatting and for exchanging messages with friends on social networks. Franz is the official instant messaging client that also supports Facebook.
Of course, you can also install official Skype to make phone calls from your computer.
READ ALSO: Best open source and free programs, alternatives to replace commercial Windows software
6) PC games
From this year Linux, always lagging behind on the videogames front, has finally obtained the Steam application to download, buy and install many famous games.
For example, one of the best free Steam games, Team Fortress 2 works on Linux.
READ ALSO: 30 Free games to download for Linux, Mac and Windows PCs
7) Cloud Storage
By now the Cloud Storage is fundamental for the use of the computer because it is convenient to keep files on the cloud (i.e. online) so that you can always find them whatever computer you use.
So if you had Windows in the office and Linux at home, you can still share the same files and keep them synchronized on the two computers through applications such as Dropbox.
Dropbox is the most mature cloud storage service for Linux.
Onedrive on Linux does not exist while Google Drive for is not available, but it can be used with alternative clients such as InSync or other Cloud Storage such as SpiderOak.
8) Pictures and Photos
As an Image Editor on Linux the number one is GIMP, a real alternative to Photoshop.
Pinta and MyPaint are two simpler options for new users.
Inkscape is instead the alternative to Adobe Illustrator to create high quality vector images.
To manage photos as you did with Windows, the best alternatives to popular programs like Picasa (no longer supported on Linux), there are Gwenview for everyone and DigiKam for professional photographers.
9) Audio and Music
To hear music you can install excellent media players on Linux such as Rhythmbox similar to iTunes, Banshee, Audacious and Clementine.
As an Audio Editor we cannot forget the great Audacity.
10) Among the other useful programs that are worth mentioning (there would be many), there is VirtualBox to install virtual machines and run operating systems such as Windows in a window on the Linux desktop.
I also want to remind you that, in many cases, it is possible to install Windows programs on Linux with Wine.
In other specialized sites you can find alternative programs to the best Windows software .
If you use Linux, let us know your favorite programs in a comment!
