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I just reinstalled Ubuntu last night and it's been working like a dream. I found a bunch of cool apps, but I'd like to share them, and also be welcome to suggestions for new software. Without further a due, here is my list of awesome Linux apps (that I've found so far):

• TweetDeck
  A must have for all Twitter addicts.
  
• Ejecter
  This little app sits in your system tray, and serves as a quick unmount removable drive tool.
  
• Deluge BitTorrent
  This is easily the closest to uTorrent you'll ever find. It's also very UI flexible, so you can tweak till your hearts content.
  
• FrostWire
  It's the same exact thing as LimeWire Pro, but legally free. Also, you're on Linux, so you don't have to worry about virus filled music.
  
• RecordMyDesktop
  Think of HyperCam, with less gay, and free. Yeah, that's this app. A must have for doing tutorials.
  
• VLC Media Player
  This is a must have for EVERY operating system. Best multimedia player ever.
  
• SoundConverter
  This tool will let you convert your .wma's and .ogg's to .mp3's.
  
• EnvyNG
  This tool will automagically find your video drivers, install them, and configure them if you have an ATi or nVidia gfx chip (which you most likely do). Does it get better than that?
  
• DropBox
  Yes, the best file sync tool has made a Linux client.
  
• Opera
  This is an obvious one, but I figured I'd mention it.
  
• ubuntu-restricted-extras
  This will get you flash, java, and all the other little things, and it's only one package!
  
• Alarm Clock
  Just your every day alarm clock. Simple to use.
  
• Pidgin
  The best multi-protocol IM client, and it comes pre-installed.
  
• Kmix
  Because this sound mixer is far superior to the Gnome mixer.
  
• Klipper
  This applet will store the last x amount of copied things, so you don't have to keep recopying.
  
• Gedit
  Just a regular ol' notepad application. However, has a very clean and nice looking interface.
  
• OpenOffice
  Word processor, spreadsheets, and power point presentations all taken care of by this office suite.
  
• Evolution
  A free version of Outlook. Just as robust, more stable.
  
• Skype
  Yes, they DO make a Linux version of this.
  
• Ubuntu Tweak
  A pretty frontend for setting gconf settings. (An easy way to configure general settings)
  

So now that my list is out of the way, what applications for Linux do you like?

As you may know, I am a huge Twitter fan. And because the Twitter XMPP bot has been offline for a very long time, and the fact that I dislike using the website (not because of it's design, it's just out of my way).

This brought me to a crossroads, find an application that reads/posts to Twitter, or stop using Twitter. As the latter of the two isn't feasible, I began my hunt for the perfect Twitter app. I'm very picky when it comes to software, if it doesn't do exactly what I want it to do, I won't use it. With this being said, I knew it wouldn't be easy to find what I was looking for.

My search began with an application called Spaz. In my opinion, Spaz was really poorly written. My evidence (not that this happens to everyone) is the broken UI upon startup (which wouldn't fix itself until I clicked on several things), and the fact that it's very poorly designed.

The next item on my list was Twhirl. I can't understand why so many people like this app, I really can't. The giant swirl in the top right is horrid looking and takes up too much space, API limit always exceeded itself within 3 minutes of use, and the fact that it's only single column.

After trying these two popular Twitter apps, I went around with a couple others, which were even worse.
Then one day I see that @JakeMarsh is using something called TweetDeck, which sounded interesting, so I checked it out. Looking at the screenshots, I wasn't too impressed, but not pushed away either. So I installed it and gave it a go.

The first time I ran it, I took notice to the clean design to it. Some people see it as being too big, but in my opinion, it's perfect. I see it this way because I can see more than one thing at a time with it, which if you try using Twhirl or such, you'll understand exactly what I mean. It's still in heavy public beta, and every version is a huge improvement on the previous one. Some of the things I found cool with it are groups, optional multi-column view, and the color scheme.

Quick breakdown of my overall thoughts on it..


Pros:

• Very well laid out interface
  
• The option to use single column or multi-column view
  
• Good looking color scheme
  
• Ability to have Groups, which you can follow certain people in a certain column
  
• Built in URL shortener
  
• Built in TwitPic integration (will be in the next version)
  
• Fast (which, for a AIR app, is a not common)
  

Cons:

• Only one color scheme (Who wouldn't want a hot pink TweetDeck?)
  
• Lack of options
  

One last thing that I absolutely love about TweetDeck is the community. They have a special area where you can request new features to be added to the app. In my opinion, this is the perfect way to make an app that the people want, use their ideas!


http://tweetdeck.com