The selection of desktop software on Linux is vastly smaller than on Windows. Regardless, they form a well-established core that we all recognize and depend on. Whether it’s a media player or foundational software that’s changing the future, I have 6 things that make Linux what it is today.
From web browsers to compatibility layers, desktop Linux has a few familiar faces that we often take for granted. Some of them cost millions of dollars to produce; others hope to prop up an entire industry. While not every app you use is so profound, some merely make life more tolerable. From the big to the small, these apps are the reason many of us call Linux home.
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Firefox
The bedrock that we need
Almost everyone who uses Linux switched from Windows at one point. On Windows, we’re spoiled for choice because almost every software vendor supports it. Browsers have been around since the early days of the web, and we’ve grown accustomed to these bloated monstrosities. There are only a few big players that meet the needs of most, and Firefox is definitely one.
Without Mozilla Firefox, I doubt I would have stuck around on Linux. The web is central to everything I do, and without adequate support, my computer is essentially useless. Unless I’m using it to crunch numbers, run a server, or in some other unusual way, a web browser is a must, and Firefox has been a leader on Linux for decades.
Chromium
The number one deal-breaker app for most
I remember when Chromium first came to Linux. I was (and still am) a Firefox user. It was interesting to see Chromium grow the way it did and watch it (Chrome) take over the world. Supporting a web browser that’s used by almost everybody makes onboarding Linux users much smoother. I think the modern transition to Linux owes a lot to Chromium, because taking your favorite apps with you is often a big part of the deal.
While I think Firefox is the rock-solid foundation for Linux, Chromium certainly makes living much more comfortable. Without the pulling power of such a large project, Linux would be less charming for the newer generation, and that translates into a less influential platform.
Wine
If all else fails…
For the past few decades, Wine has played an important role in reassuring would-be switchers. When I initially researched Linux, I convinced myself that it would work solely because I could fall back on Wine. It was an “in case of emergency, break glass” kind of feature that I never actually used.
While it’s not strictly an “app,” Wine played a historically significant role on Linux that I think is worth mentioning.
I’ve heard great things about Wine, but the initial switch was difficult enough without learning how to make Windows applications run on a foreign operating system. I couldn’t do it, and before I could, I had abandoned my old Windows apps and moved on.
However, Wine has played an important role for many, in particular the gaming ecosystem, and without it, people would think twice before moving across to Linux.
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Proton
Pushing the envelope for the next generation
In the same vein as Wine, Proton deserves a spot here. Its work is ongoing and doing wonders for Linux’s reputation. I see it as an immensely positive influence that persistently breathes life into the Linux desktop. By making Linux a viable option for gaming, we’re not only inviting desktop gamers into our community, but we’re also positioning Linux as a crucial dependency for future hardware platforms. The more important Linux becomes to gamers, the more staying power it has. For that reason, Proton gets a special mention.
Proton builds upon Wine, which makes Wine significantly more valuable.
Reliable, no-hassle, and virtually codec-agnostic
VLC media player is like Winamp for Linux. The scope is a little different, but it’s in the same league. For many, Winamp was one of the first apps installed on a fresh Windows installation, and VLC has the same privilege on Linux. It has been a long time since I’ve used it, but its versatility and out-of-the-box support virtually cemented its name in the minds of most. The more friction-free applications we have, the better, and VLC made life on Linux much easier in years gone by.
VirtualBox
When you can’t make Wine work
Moving across from Windows was a big deal because it changed everything—all my apps, how I interact with the system, binary compatibility, and even how to make shortcuts. I needed training wheels, and VirtualBox provided that via Windows guests. I could quickly boot a Windows installation and be within a familiar environment or app within seconds. Without that safety net, the transition would be a lot more difficult, possibly changing the first impressions of many newcomers (including myself).
These apps (software) are not rare or unknown, and there wasn’t any genuine surprise there—the pillars upon which desktop Linux stands are visible for anyone to see. Some simply made life easier, but others helped shape the entire Linux experience. They all played a part, and if missing, Linux would be a shadow of what it is today.
