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Linux Alternatives to Mac OS X Software
September 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM (Software)
All of this software is free as in freedom.
Web Browser
Safari - Firefox
Download (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
Firefox is an open source, fast, secure, and highly cusomizable web browser; there are thousands of add-ons, and hundreds of themes you can install, or you can make your own. I made a list of my favorite 15 add-ons here, or you can view all the add-ons here.
Others
Lynx Text-Only (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
SeaMonkey (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
Konqueror (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
Epiphany (Linux, Mac OS X)
Email Client
Mail - Thunderbird
Download (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
I don’t like checking my email, so I have never even opened Thunderbird, but if I do start using an email client this will be my first choice.
Others
SeaMonkey (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
IM Client
iChat - Pidgin
Download (Linux, Windows)
I’ve only use Pidgin for MSN, which is ironic considering MSN is owned by Microsoft, but it supports many other IM networks. Pidgin also comes with Finch, a text-based version of Pidgin.
Others
aMSN (Linux, Mac OS X, WIndows)
Kopete (Linux, Windows)
Media Center
Front Row - My Media System
Download (Linux)
Of course you can listen to audio, watch video, and view image slideshows with My Media System, but you can also play Super Nintendo, Genesis, and Amiga games.
Others
XBMC (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, Xbox)
Boxee (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
MythTv (Linux, Mac OS X)
Media Player
iTunes - VLC Media Player
Download (Linux, Syllable, BSD, Solaris, QNX, BeOS, Mac OS X, Windows)
With VLC media player I have never not been able to open a video file; it has so many features, especially the Linux version, and you can download skins or make your own.
Others
MPlayer (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
xine (Linux)
Kaffeine (Linux, BSD)
DVD Player
DVD Player - VLC Media Player
Download (Linux, Syllable, BSD, Solaris, QNX, BeOS, Mac OS X, Windows)
With VLC media player I have never not been able to open a video file; it has so many features, especially the Linux version, and you can download skins or make your own.
Window Management
Exposé - Compiz
Download (Linux)
Compiz comes with a plugin called Scale that does the same thing as Exposé.
Others
Compiz Fusion (Linux)
Widget Engine
Dashboard - Plasma
Download (KDE)
I don’t use widgets because I want my desktop to be simple and clutter-free, but if you really want them I recommend KDE 4.1 because of Plasma.
Others
gDesklets (Linux)
Adesklets (Linux)
Screenlets (Linux)
Text Editor
TextEdit - Mousepad
Download (Linux, BSD, Solaris, Mac OS X)
I use mousepad simply because it is the default with Xfce.
Others
GNU Emacs (Linux, BSD, Solaris, SunOS, AIX, Ultrix, Mac OS X, DOS, Windows)
Vim (Linux, BSD, Solaris, OS/2, Mac OS X, DOS, Windows)
gedit (Linux)
Photo Capture
Photo Booth - Cheese
Download (Linux)
Take pictures with your webcam, and add some weird effects.
Font Manager
Font Book - Fontmatrix
Download (Linux)
You’ll have to try this one out for yourself because I don’t know what makes a good font manager.
If you want to know alternatives to any other Mac OS X software feel free to leave a comment!
September 11th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I think you missed the point with expose, it’s more for window management than Compiz Fusion. Plus fusion is just cool effects and isn’t as deeply integrated as expose.
Also, lots of the other apps simply don’t measure up, considering pidgin has an excellent port on the Mac already.
September 12th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Sorry for missing the point of Exposé, I haven’t been able to play with Mac OS X very much.
If you use Pidgin already, it’s going to be easier if you transition to Linux :)
September 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I think I have the alternative to Exposé correct now.