I didn't know you could do that in Linux!

By David M Williams
Wednesday, 05 November 2008 17:59

Opinion and Analysis

Here are 12 tips, tricks, tweaks and techniques to make you say "I didn't know you could do that in Linux." Sure, not every one may be your cup of tea but here are 12 items to help you have the most positive Linux experience you can and to show why Linux is a superior operating system to other alternatives.

Last month the theme of this column was “I didn’t know you could do that in Linux!” On 11 occasions I sought to help nut out the little things – or even the big things – which get in the way of anyone having the best experience with Linux possible.

Some of these might have been simple. Not each one was relevant to every person. However, I’m sure each one was novel in its own way and some truly showed why Linux had a far stronger and much more flexible architecture and design than Microsoft’s Windows.

Now the month is over let me index the 11 in one handy location plus provide a brand new one, making 12.

1. Linux speaks your instant messaging dialect.
I kicked off tackling instant messaging, or IM. This has fast become a popular means of communication among friends, social groups, even co-workers.

You get the ability to send short messages without having to fire up an e-mail client and best of all you have presence awareness: you can see if your buddies are online or not.

Here’s where Pidgin comes in. This product is an IM client, but it’s not an ordinary one.

Here is why, as well as where to find Pidgin and make it work for you.

Read on for 11 more and you’ll be saying, “I didn’t know you could do that in Linux!” The first one over the page especially puts Windows to shame.

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