- Is the Linux Desktop Ready for You?
- What's Missing from Typical Linux Distributions?
- Proprietary Linux Applications
- So Why Do I Still Work in Linux?
Proprietary Linux Applications
If you make a living with a computer, you generally don't have time to wait for the open source community to write what you need if it isn't already out there. You've heard a lot about free open source applications, but some of the best Linux applications are for sale. Without these, I wouldn't be able to use Linux to do business:
- Win4Lin enables you to run Windows applications. I recommend Win4Lin 9.x; Win4Lin Pro doesn't have a clipboard that allows cutting-and-pasting from Linux to Windows and the reverse. This feature is vital in a mixed Linux/Windows environment.
- TurboPrint is a hassle-free print driver that will probably work correctly with your printer.
- TextMaker is my favorite word processing program on any platform.
- Have trouble with getting your scanner to work with XSane? (I didn't.) Check into VueScan.
These packages are easily installed, but make sure that they work for you before you pay for them. Try the demo mode, which on most applications allows you simply to pay for support.