Sofftware
Applications (cont.)
Instant Messengers and VoIP
Pidgin: This is perhaps one of the most popular free instant messengers around. With it you can communicate with a series of other messengers. It uses the following protocols: MSN, Yahoo, Myspace, ICQ, AIM, IRC, QQ, SILC, SIMPLE, Sametime, XMPP, Zephyr, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, Google Talk, Groupwise.
aMSN: This is a clone of MSN Messenger, and lets people communicate with MSN protocol. It has a lot of features that are shared with the original MSN such as webcam support, offline communication, conferencing, among others.
Ekiga: Ekiga is a free VoIP video conferencing application. It uses H.323 and SIP protocols. It supports many audio and video codecs, and is interoperable with other software such as Microsoft Netmeeting. Reject Skype and promote Ekiga instead.
Linux Special Interest Group
Conclusion
That's it. A beautiful, thorough list of essential, must-have programs for Linux. Like I promised, the list is neither too short, nor too long; it has just a few programs in each category, to keep your appetite whetted.
I know I have missed a few programs as I am not a Linux user but this is where you step in with your suggestions!
It has taken me almost a week of my time to carefully prepare and write this article. I would truly appreciate a word of feedback, comments, suggestions, and typo and link fixes. And if you do find this list useful, spread the word.
Users' recommendation
All software listed here has been recommended by fellow forum members, friends and readers via email. While I sincerely believe that these programs are benign and easy to use, I cannot fully guarantee your satisfaction. Nor can I be held reliable for these third-party suggestions, although, I repeat once again, I think they are perfectly safe and quite useful.
Before you send me any suggestions, I must emphasize several things: all emails must be in plain text, no attachments whatsoever, with text links to author's or vendor's website. The suggested software must be free for personal use, production quality, easy to install and use, preferably with .rpm or .deb installers and GUI frontend, open source is a bonus although not a must. Furthermore, you need to tell me why you think the specific product deserves special attention. That's it. Fire away.
