You can do anything with Ubuntu you could do in Windows. The applications are different however. You can download many of these applications and try them in Windows. What follows is a guide to Ubuntu equivalents.
Table 6.1. Ubuntu Equivalents to Windows Applications
| Windows | Ubuntu | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office | Open Office | → | It can open Microsoft Office files and supports the Open Document format. Try it now by downloading from OpenOffice.org |
| Internet Explorer | Mozilla Firefox | → → | Supports tabbed browsing and can be extended with new skins and extensions. Try it now by downloading from Mozilla. |
| Windows Messenger | Pidgin | → → | Supports multiple protocols including MSN Messenger, AIM and Yahoo. Try it now by downloading from Pidgin. |
| Skype | Ekiga | → → | Lets you make audio and video calls over the Internet. It is compatible with Windows Messenger and most VoIP applications. It cannot communicate with Skype, which uses proprietary technology. |
| Outlook | Evolution | → → | Offers contact and calendar management in addition to being a full featured email client. |
| Picasa | F-Spot | → → | Can import and catalog photos from a wide range of sources, including many digital cameras. |
| Photoshop | Gimp | → → | Includes many of Photoshop's features. Try it now by downloading from Gimp. |
| Windows Media Player | Totem | → → | Boasts features such as automatic playlists, instant music search and drag-and-drop queueing, but it can even handle podcasts, share music over a network and integrate with the online Last.fm service. What more could you ask for? |
| iTunes | Rythmbox | → → | Offers iPod synchronisation and access to stores such as Jamendo and Magnatunes. |
