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What are some of your favorite Linux FOSS replacements for WIndows software? (beehaw.org)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by Witch@beehaw.org to c/foss@beehaw.org

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Hi everyone! So I've recently switched to Linux and I'm having a lot of fun downloading software and replacing my old stuff with it. I'm wondering what you all use?

My switched softwares:

Obsidian -> Logseq - Obsidian is great and all but I think Logseq is also competent in its own way even without plugins. I am currently exploring templates to create my own daily journal/habit tracker like I did in Obsidian.

Word/Notepad -> LibreOffice - Seems to have a lot of options. Currently using the writer software for quick notes.

Canva -> Inkscape - I am aware that Canva is a website/android app, but I decided to switch from it to Inkscape by utilizing open source illustrations such as Undraw for graphics needs. I still need to look up tutorials on how to use it properly, though!

Clip Studio Paint -> Krita - I actually made this switch a month or two ago, but I'm really enjoying Krita a lot more than I ever did Clip Studio Paint. Less things to get distracted by, giving you more chances to learn how to utilize the essentials.

Things I'd like to explore in more detail:

Thunderbird as a calendar/email/task software
Whether or not I should stick with Calibre for book management
Kdenlive as a video creating program. I haven't created videos before, but it seems fun.

How about you? What do you enjoy?

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[–] iTaiko@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago

I've replaced Windows totally with NixOS(Using the ZFS filesystem as well so I can take /home snapshots and backup easier!). Been a long time Linux user, starting with OpenSuSE.

Anyways, when I did use Windows, my most often used software was LibreOffice for school, VLC for movies, QBittorrent for, well, torrenting, Thunderbird for email and Firefox for browsing(With lots of extensions). I also used Emacs a lot, and still do, here and there.

Overall, I don't really need to use much proprietary software, except for games, of course.

[–] rutrum@lm.paradisus.day 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I've never heard of Logseq. But I use an obsidian alternative called trilium. I'll give logseq a shot.

I will say, despite how old and outdated calibre looks, it's an absolute beast and contains every feature you would need. I use it to tag all my pdfs with the correct book information (which calibre with find for you) and use it to export my books into a specific folder hierarchy for easy browsing using KOReader on my Kobo e-reader (which runs on linux!)

[–] Witch@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago

Surprisingly, I installed Calibre on Linux and for some reason it just looks...better on Linux? Not sure if its because it opened up in default dark mode or what, but it doesn't look as ugly when I'm using it on Pop_OS. Feels at home, really.

I will say its definitely a beast. I've used it a few times but I never really went in depth with it's features. I'm definitely liking the bulk tag editing, the shop search (I've been looking for a way to search DRM-free books and it has it!), and the default tags. The last one is mainly because I think getting a tag called "mentally ill women" for The Yellow Wallpaper is a little funny.

[–] ace@lemmy.ananace.dev 1 points 2 years ago

I think Microsoft tried creating something like it on Windows, so I guess it can technically count as a replacement; KDE Connect

[–] sturgax@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

For 3D/2D -> Blender

Office stuff: LibreOffice

For programming -> Neovim, Insomnia (for testing out REST api's and whatnot)

Virtual Machines -> KVM/Qemu (Virtmanager, Boxes, etc) This one was a huge improvement for me

I use VLC for most of my multimedia needs

For game development (related somewhat to 3D/2D) -> Bevy and Godot

Plus a tonne of others I'm leaving out. It's really a nice feeling.

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