Ubuntu GNOME Applications

Knowing what applications GNOME provides is quite useful. Having that information can save you time looking for programs that are or aren't installed.

Click the Applications menu on the top panel and you see the following menu options. Selecting each option opens a submenu containing applications organized by category. The following sections list the applications found in each category.


Accessories
This submenu contains applications that don't fit into any specific class.

These GNOME menus tend to change from version to version. The following list was extracted from Ubuntu 6.10, which uses GNOME 2.16.1.

• Archive Manager: View and extract files from Linux tar files. Linux uses tar to archive files in much the same way Windows uses Zip. The Archive Manager utility lets you look inside tar archives before deciding what you want to do with them.

• Calculator: A simple calculator program.

• Character Map: This utility lets you use symbols from all the world's languages in your word processing documents. You open the Character Map utility, select the language from the Script menu on the left of the dialog, and click on a character and drag it to your document. For instance, if you're writing a homework assignment and need to represent the Greek letter Alpha, you select the Greek option from the Script menu.

• Dictionary: Opens a simple dictionary window. You type a word in the Look Up text box and the application returns a definition.

• Take Screenshot: This application makes a copy of the current screen. You can then save the image as a file.

• Terminal: The Terminal Emulator. You type interactive shell commands in a Terminal Emulator.

• Text Editor: Opens a simple text editor. It's actually quite powerful, giving you many of the features found in full-featured word processors like OpenOffice.org Writer.


Games
All work and no play make Ubuntu a dull distribution. Ubuntu includes some simple games, such as Solitaire and Blackjack.


Graphics
• Edit graphical images and view them with the tools found here. The GIMP Image Editor: This is a powerful, image-capture and -editing system. You can capture screen images and then edit them; you can also edit the images that you import from other sources, such as photographs.

• gThumb Image Viewer: Preview images. gThumb provides a quick and easy way to preview images. Previewing images is faster than opening each one individually.

• XSane Image Scanner: Scan and import photographs and other images from a scan device.


Internet
All major Internet categories are covered by applications found in this menu.

Ekiga Softphone: Call other Linux computers. You can also call other telephones using the Ekiga service.

Evolution Mail: Use the fabulous Evolution messaging program.

Firefox Web Browser: See how the Web should be surfed with Mozilla Firefox. Firefox includes many features that other browsers are trying to catch up to, such as encrypted password storage, tabbed browsing, and automatic removal of cookies and other potentially sensitive information.

Gaim Internet Messenger: This is an instant messaging program. Communicate in real-time with friends and acquaintances.

Terminal Server Client: Connect and interact with Microsoft Windows computers.


Office
Ubuntu provides all the tools you need to use your computer for reading, writing, and 'rithmatic. OpenOffice.org is an open source suite of programs that provides a word processing, spreadsheet, and slideshow program, along with other tools.

Evolution: Evolution provides a great e-mail application, plus calendaring, contacts, and more.

OpenOffice.org Database: Open existing databases and create new ones using this application.

OpenOffice.org Presentation: Create slide presentations that are compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint.

OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet: OpenOffice.org Calc creates spreadsheets that can be compatible with Microsoft Excel.

OpenOffice.org Word Processor: OpenOffice.org Writer is a full-featured word processor compatible with Microsoft Word.


Sound & Video
Ubuntu goes Hollywood, letting you play and record music and more. Rhythmbox Music Player: Play open source audio files and Internet radio streams. Serpentine Audio CD Creator: Create audio CDs from digital audio files and play any standard-format audio CD (such as store-bought CDs). Sound Juicer CD Extractor: Extract (rip) audio CDs. Sound Recorder: Record audio on your computer.


Add/Remove
Selecting this option opens the Add/Remove application, from which you can install software packages from CDs, DVDs, or the Internet.


Preferences
This menu provides access to the utilities that help you change the look and feel of yourUbuntu computer. Change settings such as your desktop background and your screen saver from this menu.


Administration
This menu provides access to utilities that help you manage your Ubuntu computer. For instance, you can modify your network settings by selecting System -> Administration -> Networking.

Source of Information : For Dummies Ubuntu Linux For Dummies