New LINUX laptop:software recommendations welcome

[Throckmorton]

Okay, so I got a new laptop for Christmas. It's my first LINUX computer. Can anyone suggest some good media playing, internet radio, antiviral, antispy, and anti-malware?

Any other linux compatible software recommendations are welcome including spreadsheet software, email programs, etc...

 

[XS650]

If you tell us which distribution of Linux and what computer it will make it easier to advise you. Which CPU and how much memory would be helpful too.

Congratulations

Open Office for word processing and spreadsheets is available at the usual Linux software price of $0.00 and is available for download at openoffice.org. It is quite compatible with MS Office and more than most people ever need for Office software.

 

[Jethro]

The distro is key, here.

If you have something like SUSE, you can already browse all the available software options you have.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Jethro
The distro is key, here.

If you have something like SUSE, you can already browse all the available software options you have.


Which brings up another question for the OP. If it came preloaded with Linux it should already have a metric [censored] load of software on it. What's on it now?

Throckmorton, do you have a link to a webpage describing your computer?

 

[Throckmorton]

This is what I've found thus far:
Accessories
Archive Manager
Calculator
Character Map
Dictionary
Password and Encryption Keys
Take Screenshot
Text Editor


Games [lots of 'em, no need to mention here]


Graphics
F Spot Photo Manager
GNU Image Manipulation Program
g Thumb Image Viewer
Scanner Tool

Internet
Contacts
e Mail
Firefox
Internet Messenger
IP Telephony VoIP and Video Conferencing
Transmission

Office
Calendar
Presentation
Project Management
Spreadsheets
Tasks
Word Processor


Sound & Video
Audio Player
Cd Player
Movie Player
MPlayer
Pulse Audio Volume Control
Rythmbox Music Player
Sound Juicer CD Extractor
Xine


System Tools

Bluetooth File Sharing
Disk management
Disk usage analyzer

I'm wondering how I can adjust the resolution and the screen saver. Sorry, but I'm pretty clueless around this operating system so I have to hunt for applications.

 

[Throckmorton]

It has programs called Gnome & Fedora too. I dunno what those are for either.

 

[XS650]

Fedora is your Linux distribution. That bit of info should draw some people who know Fedora out of the woodwork.

Gnome is the software that creates the interface you see and manages your desktop. Some people will say that KDE is better, some Gnome. Both are good. Stick with Gnome for now. After you get comfortable with Linux, you might want to evaluate KDE.

Run some of your office applications. If they are part of the Open Office suite, that is the best available in Linux, no need to look further unless you want smaller quicker office programs. You probably won't.

Your screen resolution settings in Gnome are under the "system/Administration/Screensand Graphics. Start at the Systems tab, probably located at the top of your screen.

 

[Throckmorton]

Thanx XS650

 

[Jethro]

Gnome looks like MAC OS. KDE looks like Windows. Of course, that's not entirely true, but it's the easiest way to compare the two.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Jethro
Gnome looks like MAC OS. KDE looks like Windows. Of course, that's not entirely true, but it's the easiest way to compare the two.

Close enough.

Throck, most major distributions (Fedora qualifies as one) have fair to excellent user forums. If you have a problem, someone has had it before so you can fix a lot by searching a user forum.

 

[SrDriver]

Most versions of Linux come with a built in firewall.

As far as anti-virus many do not recommend that you need an anti-virus program due to the nature of Linux Security but if you want one, there are several free versions available including one from AVG, ClamAV, and others.

I recommend that you spend some time in the user forums for your distribution + there are several good books available on the subject that can be a big help.

 

[Alternator]

Don't worry about the A-V/spyware stuff at all unless you share alot of files with friends or download stuff from dubious Internet sources.

You should probably install and run chkrootkit from time to time. >> Search. I'd say that would cover you're only really troubling vulnerability, depending on what web sites you tend to visit.