We Linux enthusiasts love to use Linux everywhere possible, even at work, where Microsoft rules the roots!
For the last 3 years I have tried and tested various combinations which has helped me replace almost all Microsoft Windows applications which need to run in most office environments. My desktop of choice is Ubuntu. More adventurous users may try their choice of Linux variants. Below are the software I installed for use at my work plus a few tweaks.
Important: Before you start installing, remove the Amazon webapp . Its horrendous and a potential security risk!
sudo apt-get remove unity-lens-shopping
1. Install all restricted plugins from Universe repository (enable repository first)
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras 7zip unrar chmsee
2. Install Google Chrome , Google Hangout plugin
3. Install Skype
4. For mail its Thunderbird until Inky arrives! Install the following plugins for Mozilla Thunderbird to make it just about perfect
- Lighning
- Addressbook synchroniser ( not required for google accounts)
- MRC compose
- calendar tweaks
- colour folders
- copy plain text
- enhanced priority display
- Thunderbird conversations
- Exquilla for MS Exchange ( not required for google accounts)
- Exchange EWS Provider (MS Exchange calendar)
- folder plus
- follow up
- fox clocks
- Linux growl
- provider for Google calendar
- show all body parts
- smiley fixer ( doesn’t work when viewed via conversations )
- Wisestamp
- Xnote
- Google contact sync
- lookout
- Auto compress files
- Google search for Thunderbird
- Thunderbrowse
5. Install MS Office using Wine or PlayonLinux . If you don’t the MS office license (don’t pirate) download the free Kingsoft office for Linux here
6. Install Dia for flowcharts, system architecture and other drawings ( can import Visio .vdx files)
sudo apt-get install dia
7. Install Shutter for better screen capture and instant editing. Open any picture file to highlight/annotate using the editing program.
sudo apt-get install shutter
8. Install JAVA 1.7 from webupd8 ppa
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer
9. Install Project Libre for Project Management
10. Install Cisco vpn
sudo apt-get install network-manager-gnome-vpnc
11. Install Citrix client to connect via Citrix
12. Install Samba for file sharing
sudo apt-get install samba
And, add the following to /etc/samba/smb.conf just above the [printers] section to allow sharing your folders with windows users
gksu gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf
usershare allow guests = yes
usershare owner only = false
service samba restart
13. Install ntfs-config GUI to automatically add the windows partitions on login
sudo apt-get install ntfs-config
14. If you need virtualisation, install Oracle Virtualbox
15. For tweaking Ubuntu Unity, install Unity tweak tool
sudo apt-get install unity-tweak-tool
16. For editing pdfs use Master Pdf Editor available for download for free from USC
17. For videos/ movie viewing install vlc and gnome-mplayer
sudo apt-get install vlc gnome-mplayer
18. For file synchronisation, download and install Dropbox (it supports versioning)
19. For accessing ftp servers install Filezilla (upload/download)
sudo apt-get install filezilla
20. For editing hard drive partitions install gparted
sudo apt-get install gparted
Try to build your own Ubuntu workstation to replace Windows. Let me know if these 20 are enough or you need more!
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