This is the largest set of group tests available identifying the best software that is available to download. The collection includes hundreds of group tests, with comprehensive sections on internet, graphics, games, programming, science, office, utilities, and more. Almost all of the software is released under a freely distributable license.
The original objective in starting the compilation was to dispel the FUD that Linux does not have the necessary software to compete with Windows. Over time, the aim of the compilation was to enable Linux users, whatever their level of computing experience, to identify software of all types that is worth exploring. With the huge range of open source software available, there is simply not enough time for users to evaluate every application even within a single category of software.
The compilation is being frequently updated and new articles added on a regular basis.
This is the first in a five part article. The other parts cover:
Part 2: Health, Desktop & Productivity, Science, Backup, Finance
Part 3: Programming, Text Editors, Education, System Administration, Religion, Family History, Humor
Part 4: Graphics & Multimedia, Utilities, Web Applications
Part 5: Big Data, Cloud Computing, Documentation, Other Articles, Programming Languages Books, Free Proprietary Software, Android Devices
| Gaming |
|---|
| If you believe that Linux is just for business, think again! There are thousands of games |
| The hottest Linux games covering all genres: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| More quality games, again divided into three parts: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| Even more hot games, again divided into three parts: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| Highly addictive games: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| Notable games: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| Up-and-Coming Games: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| Peachy Games: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 |
| Roguelike games - Roguelike is a sub-genre of role-playing games |
| Free Steam Games - Roundup of no charge Linux games hosted on the Steam Platform |
| Video Console Emulators - GameBoy, Nintendo 64, Megadrive, PlayStation 1 and 2 and Arcade |
| Mega Drive Emulators - The Sega Mega Drive was a leading 16-bit video game console system |
| Home Computer Emulators - Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, Amstrad and Amiga |
| ZX Spectrum Emulators - Reminiscing the Wonderful ZX Spectrum |
| Quirky Home Computer Emulators - Experience Home Computers that Missed the Big Time |
| Educational - Games edutainment combining education and entertainment |
| Chess - including clients, databases and engines |
| Chess in a Few Bytes - Chess implemented in less than 1K |
| Online Board Games - A great device of social interaction |
| Puzzle - Mentally stimulating, and a great diversion from everyday life |
| ASCII Games - No fancy graphics here, just great gameplay coupled with the urge of always having just one more play |
| More ASCII Games - Real ASCII gems which are immensely addictive and great fun to play |
| Commercial Games - Native Linux games that require a payment |
| More high quality commercial games, divided into a three part series: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| Showcasing the finest commercial indie games, divided into a three part series: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 |
| Engines for developers to create high quality games: Part 1 - Part 2 |
| Internet & Networking |
|---|
| Internet and networking software has always been one of Linux's strongest areas. |
| Security - Exhaustive survey of all the finest security tools |
| Firewall Solutions - Controls incoming and outgoing network traffic using security rules |
| Web Browsers - The quintessential desktop application |
| 4 Cutting Edge Web Browsers - Alpha stage web browsers |
| Fresh Web Browsers - New to the scene, but are very promising |
| Small Footprint Web Browsers - The quintessential desktop application with a small footprint |
| Email - Email clients, groupware, servers, utilities, security, filtering, mailing list managers and more |
| Lightweight Graphical Email Clients - Widely used from beginners to power users |
| Anti-Spam Tools - Proficient Linux anti-spam tools |
| Email Encryption Tools - One method of ensuring electronic privacy |
| Google Reader Replacements - News aggregators for web browsers |
| Instant Messaging Clients - Real-time text communication between two or more individuals |
| Usenet Tools - Usenet is a worldwide distributed Internet discussion system |
| Download Managers (new) - Dedicated to the task of downloading files, optimizing bandwidth usage |
| News Aggregators - Collect news, weblog posts, and other information from the web |
| Voice Over IP Software - Telephone-like voice conversations across IP based networks |
| Remote Display Software - Use the mouse and keyboard to control another computer remotely |
| IRC Clients (new) - IRC is a type of real-time Internet text messaging |
| Console IRC Clients - Good fit; small, lean clients, that can be run on any hardware |
| Twitter Clients - Peer-to-peer file protocol for sharing large software and media files |
| More Twitter Clients - Additional clients that are worth investigating |
| Console Twitter Clients - Use console based apps to engage in this form of microblogging |
| Up-and-Coming Clients to Tweet - Not yet the finished article, but extremely promising clients |
| Social Networking - Create your own Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn |
| System Monitoring Tools - Real-time incident notification, performance analysis etc |
| More Monitoring Tools - Additional high quality solutions for monitoring services, services and network hardware |
| Console Based Network 'top' Tools - Small tools that derive inspiration from the 'top' troubleshooting tool |
| Port Scanners - For network inventory and the verification of the security of a network |
| Disk Encryption - Easy-to-use data encryption and security |
| MAC/RBAC Tools - These controls include authentication, authorisation and audit |
| LDAP Solutions - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol |
| Network Inventory Management - Collate all network infrastructure data and keep it up to date |
| FTP Clients - Time-honored method of transferring files |
| Command-line FTP Clients - Time-honored method of transferring files on the command line |
| Console Internet Applications - Superior replacements for their GUI equivalents |
| Command line HTTP clients - More than download tools |
| UPnP Servers - Share your music, photos and videos with your network |
| Network Authentication Servers - Connection authentication, authorization, and accounting management |
| Office Software |
|---|
| Linux is becoming very popular in the business environment. |
| Office Suites - Collection of related software for business and other uses |
| Office Software - Essential tools for the corporate desktop user |
| Groupware - Enables users to collaborate, regardless of location, via the internet or a corporate intranet |
| Project Management - Project management tools |
| Business Process Management - Manage your Business with a Complete Software Solution |
| Relational Databases - Most databases are based on this type |
| MySQL Tools - Essential utilities for MySQL |
| MongoDB GUIs - Graphical User interfaces for the non-relational NoSQL database |
| PDF Tools - Create, view and manipulate Portable Document Format (PDF) files |
| Document Viewers - Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC |
| Presentation Software that Shines - Help make your slides look stunning |
| Document Processors - Produce high quality documents by focusing on content |
| OCR Tools - conversion of handwritten, typewritten or printed text into searchable, editable documents |
| LaTeX Tools - LaTeX editors, bibliography tools and more |
| Script Writing - Produce perfectly formatted scripts for film, tv, books and more |
| Document Management Systems - One of the functions provided by Enterprise Content Management |
Go to Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.