UPDATE: You are bombarding me with suggestions! Slow down guys! There are about 570,000 programs for Linux, all of them fairly good. It is IMPOSSIBLE to list them all. So I'm asking you for the super uber coolest applications you can think of.

We've had a (sweet) collection of Windows programs. Now, it's time for Linux tools.

First, most of the applications listed in the (sweet) collection are open-source, cross-platform applications and will run on Linux. In fact, only a few of the Windows applications listed will run ONLY on Windows.

So, in a strange yet beautiful way, A (sweet) collection of Windows programs is a good place to start!

The cross-platform applications listed include: AbiWord, aMule, Audacity, DOSBox, Eclipse, eMule, GParted, FileZilla, Firefox, GAIM, GIMP, Nvu, Open Office, Opera, Privoxy, QEMU, Sunbird, Thunderbird, TrueCrypt, VirtualDub, VLC, Wireshark, and several others. All of these will run on Linux.

Nevertheless, I have decided to compile a separate list of dedicated Linux tools, which will be of great use for anyone, even including sworn Windows users. You might have already read about some of the applications listed below in my other articles (like SUSE and Ubuntu). And I intend to review a few more in future articles. Regardless, I hope this list will serve you well and provide you with a wealth of useful information. For people with little knowledge of Linux, this is a good place to start.

One more important note: unlike the Windows list, it is rather difficult for me to compile the best in class for each categories, because a) Linux distributions are so many and so diverse, it would be frankly impossible b) it's harder to narrow down the choices, all being fairly good. Therefore, the list below is a compilation of especially highly useful tools across a range of categories. For example, Ubuntu CD offers hundreds of superb applications; disassembling it would be tricky.

OK then, let's rock.

Disclaimer #1 (valid down to Appendix A included): I have used the software listed below and found it satisfactory. In my experience, these programs caused me no grief of any sort. I cannot guarantee the same level of experience for you, nor the validity of programs at their destined links. Use them at your own discretion.