The linux setup for everyone (free software with GUI only)
THIS LIST HAS BEEN DELETED DUE TO A BUG, SO IT MISSES SOME HONORABLE MENTIONS !
I've been using Linux for a year now. I do use CLI tool and the terminal but I'm super used to GUI and I do understand why you might don't want to bother with Terminal and stuff ! Here is my list of useful tools for beginners on Linux ! The same list for https://alternativeto.net/software/mac-os/ : https://alternativeto.net/list/29658/my-macos-setup/ https://alternativeto.net/software/windows-10/ : https://alternativeto.net/list/29653/my-windows-setup/
Linux distros for beginners
If you don't know where to start. Here is a limited selected choice for beginners ! Stop searching for the perfect distro, use something stable widely used with great community support !
If you're a Windows 10 user start with Linux Mint. If you have a good PC go with Cinnamon if your machine is quiet old I'll recommend you the xfce edition. It's based on Ubuntu (which is based on Debian) which have tons of ressources for beginners !
Worth mentioning : Zorin OS
If you are a macOS Guy (or Girl, or anything) elementary OS is the distro for you. The default look is a bit outdated by default in my opinion but you're on Linux and their's tons of tutorial on how to customize it and make it looks more modern ! elementary OS has the closest user interface with macOS while not copying it and being super stable and suitable for beginners !
If you want something different Fedora is probably the way to go now.
Worth mentioning : Pop!_OS
Default apps
Your default file manager should be fine but Dolphin could be nicer
Firefox is my go to browser for Linux don't forget to disable telemetry in settings and install uBlock Origin ! Arkenfox is a great ressource if you want to harden your FF browser !
Worth mentioning : LibreWolf Brave Ungoogled Chromium + uBlock Origin
If like my you use multiple browsers daily this one will be useful. Set it as your browser by default and when clicking on a link it will prompt which browser you want to open. It let you also choose for other software such as email client, image viewer, file explorer, etc...
Worth mentioning : Braus for Arch users
An elegant music player !
Worth mentioning : Elisa
The king of media player !
I do use this Mark down text editor and found it amazing !
If you read ePUB on your PC I would recommend you this one.
A nice e-mail client for Linux !
If the image visualizer that come with your distro not suit your needs look at the KDE one !
A PDF (and ePub/ebooks) reader for Linux !
You can choose between many different ways to install softwares on linux. It can be confusing for new comers ! I would personally recommend Flatpak first. It's universal (works with any distro), tends to deliver more up to date versions of softwares and integrate well with your default Linux App Store. Just download any flatpak from Flathub 's website, install it and now they should be added in your AppStore !
Gaming
The Launcher for Linux gamers. Enable Steam Play (Proton) in the steam settings and you will be able to play most steam games without any other tweaking !
Epic Games does not have Linux client so Linux gamers made one !
The most useful linux tool for gamers. Allow you to easily (most of the time) installing Windows games with scripts that will do every tweaking for you ! So you will not cry trying to do stuff with Wine
If you want to emulate retro games this one is gold when you know how to use it !
If your friends game on PC, they probably use this one to communicate !
Collects and logs details about game performance in games using OpenGL/Vulkan. Can display live statistics in overlay.
Control your hardware with this free tool !
To manage games backups !
If you have RGB on your gaming RIG this helps you manage them for any constructor like Razer, AORUS, ASUS, MSI, etc...
Art & Design
If I have to do some image manipulation or photo editing ! (it's a WebApp)
If you need to create or edit vector images
If you do photography this is useful for photo editing !
If you want to draw !
If you want to create font and make typography !
If you want to do pixel art this one is gold !
Powerful voxel art editor with 24-bit color support !
For 3D render and 3D animation. Nice UI, powerful tool and awesome community !
For making video games or 3D environment !
For story writing, plot making etc...
To quickly makes storyboard on PC !
A super simple video editor !
Worth mentioning if you need more advanced editing : Shotcut Kdenlive DaVinci Resolve
If you want to do 2D animation !
For making visual FX for movie production or videos.
To generate retro sound fx ^^
If you need to quickly transform or manipulate a sound file audacity is the way to go !
If you want to compose / write music partition this open source app is awesome !
If you want to play music like a DJ this free and open source tool supports tons of decks from different brands !
3D CAD for free :)
Productivity
Open source alternative to Microsoft 365 (Office)
Worth mentioning : LibreOffice
A modern UI for your RSS feed :D
For invoice making. It's an updated fork of Manta which is no longer maintained. Invoncify adds new features !
Super powerful note making workflow ! Second brain for your PC
I use this one as a way to quickly share small files, pictures, ideas and links securely between my phone and my PC !
Zotero help you collect, organize, manage, search and cite your research sources or books.
If I have to do some code I use this telemetry-free Visual Studio Code fork.
Privacy & Security
My password manager and you should use one too !
When I want more privacy online I use Tor.
If Tor does not fit my use case I use this VPN !
If you want an anti-virus on linux there you have one now !
To encrypt your disks or partitions.
GNU Privacy Guard is encryption software for files and emails.
To remove metadata from your pictures.
More tools
If your distro does not come with a nice global search tool use this !
Worth mentioning : Albert
Download videos from multiple sources (YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter and +) to mp3 or mp4 !
Worth mentioning : ClipGrab
If you need an archive tool.
To look at the sky on your PC !
Advanced screenshoting tool
If you work only on one screen this one is a must as it allow you to have a window always on top where you can place images and create moodboards. It's pay what you want so you can put 0 and it will be free ^^
If you want to record your screen use OBS ! Simpler : Kooha
If you want to interact or record your Android screen from your PC.
To connect your Android (soon iPhone) with your linux powered PC.
My go to torrent client for any Linux distro !
Share large file securely over the Tor Network
Similar to CCleaner but with no crap !
If your distro didn't come with a Disk Utility App install this one !
If you need to burn ISO on USB drive or SD card !
Real time information on your CPU such as temp, etc...
Powerful disks and partitions manager for linux !
If you want to configure your mouse.
If your PC or distro have no blue light filter integrated that's the way
For easy Virtual Machine in linux
