Many people are reluctant to migrate to Linux because of a perceived lack of desktop applications that are comparable to Windows desktop applications. During the earlier years of Linux, there was indeed a lack of desktop applications available to Linux. This, however is no longer true. Linux has come a long way from the days of having very few applications that were consumer-friendly. This article will compare many popular windows applications with those available in Linux. People who are thinking of migrating to Linux should look at the advantages that Linux applications offer. At the end of this article, there will be a list of commonly used Windows programs and their Linux equivalents (or superiors).

     Linux is no longer playing second fiddle to Windows when it comes to graphical image manipulation programs. On the Windows plateform, one of the leading Graphical design programs is Corel Draw. This program allows image editing, painting, and animation. It also features vector illustration and bitmap creation. More information may be found at www.corel.com . Linux also comes with a graphics editing manipulation program. This program is called Gimp. No, not Gimp as in handicapped. It's Gimp as in GNU Image Manipulation Program. Gimp has bitmap creation, image editing, painting, and animation. It also has one extra feature that most decent Windows graphics packages do not have. It's FREE! It can be downloaded at www.gimp.org .

     Office suites are an important tool with many computer users. Office suites are used for spreadsheet applications, word processing, email and many other uses. The primary office suit for Microsoft operating systems is Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office XP currently is priced at $149 for students and teachers. For the rst of us, the minimum price is $479. Microsoft Office includes many features such as email, word processing, data analysis and management, desktop and web publishing, and presentations. For more information about Microsoft Office, visit www.microsoft.com/office . Linux also has a commercial office suit available. Applixware, which is native to the Linux platform, costs about $99 retail. It features data management, graphics, email, presentations, spreadsheet, and word processing. More information about Applixware can be found at www.vistasource.com . A good office suite that works on both Linux and Windows is Star Office. The StarOffice 5.2 productivity suite includes word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications. It also has support for Autopilot Web page design software, 3D graphics, diagrams, HTML editing, and calendar, newsgroup, browser, email and scheduler, photo editing, and other applications. For more information, visit www.sun.com/staroffice .

     Linux desktop software offers the following advantages over many Windows counterparts.  As a general rule, Linux software costs less than the same software for Windows.  One of the main reasons for this is the openess of Linux.  With Microsoft operating systems, application delelopers  usally have to buy Microsoft's software development kits and libraries.  There are also licensing issues that can sometimes drive up the price.  With Linux, all application programming interfaces and libraries are free for the download.  Linux's licensing is intended to make sure the public is free to work with Linux and protect the public's freedom to modify and improve the operating system.  Since Linux is not only free in terms of money, it is also free as in terms of freedom.  This allows a single person or small company to develope applications based on ability and not on the size of a bank account.  This should ensure many future software packages.  Another big advantage for both the home and business user is application security.  If a Linux system is properly set up, the programs running under it are almost completely immune to viruses.  A rogue program (trojan), worm or virus can only infect or damage files it has write access to.  With most home versions of Microsoft Windows (except XP), every program has complete access to all files
on the system.  This allows malicious software to propagate easily.  With Microsoft, there seems to be so many patches and so little time.  Linux offers the average home user privacy as well.  With Linux, there are no activation codes needed.  Linux applications can be set so they do not let tracking network know when you surf the web.  There are no "wallet" features built into the system.  The user him or herself controls what information the computer discloses to websites.  Since Linux is open source any backdoor found within software can be easily closed.   With Windows, the possiblilty for backdoors are wide open.  Goto www.google.com , and type in the following keywords: Windows Easter Eggs.  You will be amazed at all the undocumented "features" that are found in Microsoft products.  Microsoft is so afraid that some home users are not going to pay the exhorbitant price for their XP operating system that they effectively make you ask for their permission to allow you to upgrade your system.  Don't believe that?  Then run Windows XP home edition and then change your motherboard and memory.  You will most likely find yourself having to call Mircrosoft for a new activation code.  Now, what if Microsoft accuses you of running XP on more than one computer?  What if Microsoft does not give you the new activation code?  "where will you go then?"

     Linux runs internet software such as instant messaging (AOL, MSN, ICQ, and such), internet relay chat (IRC), Napster, file transfer  programs
(FTP), web browsers, and so much more.  Any type of internet usage that Windows supports Linux supports better.  Those who like using AOL Instant Messenger, MS Instant Messaging, and ICQ should check out Gabber.  Gabber is one of many Linux instant messaging programs, and it does not try to take over your computer.  It can be found at download.sourceforge.net .  Several web browsers are also available for for a free download.  These browsers include Mozilla, Firefox, Netscape, Opera, Konquer, and Galleon.