What are some cool things I can do in Linux?

Question

I have Ubuntu 9.04 with GNOME.

Answer 1

Linux can easily be a do it yourself operating system.. The sky's the limit as the saying goes.



It all depends on what you *want* to do on it. There are many good open source games (check the package manager) Bash scripting as it's called allows you to write scripts that can do all kinds of things to data if your a programmer. If your not a programmer, it's still useful for some things like setting a script to run at a certain time to download the latest RSS feed from your favorite blog. Or setting an alarm clock through your speakers..



There's the GUI way of doing things in Linux (GUI means Graphical User Interface) and there is the terminal-based way of doing things..



The scope of your question is to large in essence to answer. Linux and Windows XP are operating systems to run applications. Try narrowing your question down to a catagory. It's almost like saying "I bought a house, what can I do with it?" A better question might be "What kind of carpet do I need?" "What cool games are for linux?" "What are good word processing applications for linux?" etc.



Also look around at the ubuntu forums http://ubuntuforums.org/ I go there a lot just to read what other people are doing.

Answer 2

sneezer0_0 has pretty much summarized what Linux is, but I'd like to take what he says a little further. Linux is just the kernel of the operating system. It requires the GNU Tools



http://www.gnu.org



So fine. What does that mean? 1. It's a modular operating system. 2. Any given distribution has different vendors they assemble it from, but 3. All of these vendors have access to each others source code (and so do you) which is literally something not true of Microsoft Developers.



Furthermore, GNU Tools and X-Windows were developed on Unix and you will find OSes like OpenSolaris and FreeBSD which have a very similar look and feel because so many of them because they use so many of the same packages.



With Ubuntu you can pretty much do anything you can do on a windows OS except play some games which use DirectX and you can do it on MUCH cheaper hardware. The requirements for Compiz Fusion are MUCH lower than Aero and it was out for FIVE YEARS before Aero was even ANNOUNCED.



EVEN Ubuntu, which was designed for ease of use can be customized poked and changed into anything you want it to be. Further you are picking up skills which can be applied, not just to other distributions, but to a wide variety of Linux and Unix platforms from University Computer labs to PS 3s. PS3 with Linux is NO bargain -- it has less conventional memory than most computers -- but it is more than a toy.



The possibilities for using Linux go WAY beyond what your imagination can provide.

Answer 3

use synaptic to install:

ubuntu-restricted-extras

miro

vlc

compiz-icon



and whatever applications you fancy - no kernels or server software; basically just don't get creative!

gnome-do has a docking facility in its settings and there are other docking tools (avant-window-navigator is one)



It all depends on what you want the computer for. Music, graphics, programming, animation, ipod, office tools, DTP, math, electronics, chemistry.

You can play PS2 games with pcsx2, use a wiimote for whatever (games or replace your mouse) have the computer lock when you walk away with a bluetooth device (phone) in your pocket and open when you return, design web pages or google apps and the list goes on. I have some exceptional apps installed not all from synaptic. Boxee is good and songbird. I have several circuit board simulators, all kinds of graphics and animation tools and the best programming tools and educational tools available. I use vboxgtk (or virtualbox-ose) to run different operating systems (all windows, linux, solaris and BSD OS's including windows 7)

Basket for note is awesome - I use instead of a text editor for writing anything I need to write (except for coding when you have to use a text editor or when I use scribus) as you can just drop pictures and links in. I wish these pages would allow that as it would be easier to show people stuff (screenshots etc) (I can't wait for google wave!)



Anyway if you have any questions email and good luck and welcome to linux.

Answer 4

Ubuntu 9.04 comes with Compiz 0.8.2 so if you are in to 3D visual effects and eye candy then you will be in your element



Enabling Compiz Fusion On An Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop (NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200) which applies to other NVIDIA cards as well

http://www.howtoforge.com/enabling-compiz-fusion-on-an-ubuntu-9.04-desktop-nvidia-geforce-fx-5200



Screenshots



http://seogadget.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/latest-compiz-ubuntu.jpg

http://blogs.pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/tux-love/compiz_sphere.jpg

http://gndx.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/macbook-ubuntu-compiz.jpg

http://blog.seanhsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/compiz-fusion.jpg

http://vinstan.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/screenshot.png

http://media.photobucket.com/image/ubuntu%20compiz/welcomejsp/Screenshot-2-2.png



LUg.

Answer 5

Install the CompizConfig Settings Manager and use it to set up wobbly windows and desktop cube with Compiz (turn on desktop effects first).

Install Conky and learn how to write for it (v easy)

Answer 6

make a live session usb bootable stick (with saveable space) , so when you go round your mates, you carry your computer around with you in the coin pocket of your jeans :0



good luck