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mmmna
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Joined: 21 Apr 2025
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 Posted: Fri May 02, 2025 3:49 pm Post subject: Linux to Windows software translation |
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January 2025 <<Advice>> The content of this thread is getting a bit outdated.... use with some caution.
The conversion from Windows or Macintosh to Linux is not quite perfect; while there are many programs in Linux that perform your favorite Windows functions, there are so many tastes as to what a web browser should and should not offer that if I were to say Internet Explorer is the same as Firebird, others may find that a single benefit from Mozilla makes Firebird seem totally unacceptable, yet maybe Firebird is a better match to me.
Thus in most instances, anyone boldly claiming that a certain Linux program is the exact duplicate of a MacOS or Windows program would be ludicrous. Just as ludicrous as saying Netscape 7 for Windows XP is always the exact same as Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP.
So rather than say a=b=c, here are some choices for you to select from.
Thanks to many folks for suggesting this in so many other forums, especially a certain forum in a galaxy far far away..... and thanks to Crouse for putting things together as a rough equivalency grid!
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For the most part, any software title in the list below which starts with the letter 'K' for example Kwrite, this title will be software which is embedded into the KDE desktop manager, at some version of KDE at or before KDE 3.1.1.
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Office Suites:
Windows software: Office, Corel Office, 9Software, Lotus SmartSuite
Linux software: OpenOffice, Star Office, Anywhere Office (formerly known as Applixware), Hancom Office, TextMaker.
Web Browsers:
Windows software: Internet Explorer, Opera, Netscape
Linux software: Konqueror, Opera, Netscape, Mozilla, Firefox, Galeon.
Email Clients:
Windows software: Outlook & Outlook Express, Exchange, Pegasus
Linux software: Kmail, Thunderbird (formerly known as Mozilla Mail), Sylpheed, Evolution
Text Editors:
Windows software: Notepad, Wordpad, Write
Linux software: Kedit (builtin toKDE), Kate (formerly known as Kwrite), Gedit, KhexEdit, Emacs, the tiny little vi, YuDit
HTML/Text editors:
Windows software: Note Tab Pro, other editors
Linux software: BlueFish,Quanta Plus,Nvu
Macintosh software: PageSpinner, BBEdit
Graphics Applications:
Graphics Programs Suites
Windows software: Photoshop, Paint shop pro,
Linux software: The Gimp,Blender, VIPS, CinePaint
Macintosh software: Photoshop, CorelPhoto
NOTE: The Gimp and Blender are also progressing into video editing and animation manipulation (respectively).
Paint programs
Windows software: Paint
Linux software: xpaint, Kpaint, Gnome Paint, Tux Paint
Color pickers:
Windows software: Colour Coder
Linux software: KcolorChooser & KcolorEdit
Icon editors:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Gnome Icon Editor, KiconEditor
Screen capture:
Windows software: print screen key, Print Screen 2025
Linux software: Ksnapshot
Image viewers:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Ksnapshot, ElectricEyes (now defunct), Gqview, Kuickshow, Kview, EyeOfGnome, XV, GwenView
Drawing software:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Sketch, Kontour
Vector Graphics:
Windows software: Adobe Illustrator
Linux software:Gestalter
,Inkscape,SodiPodi
Macintosh software: Adobe Illustrator
Diagramming software
Windows software: Visio
Linux software:Dia
Macintosh software:
CADD software:
Windows software: (need names here, AutoCad is not a match, is Visio?)
Linux software: Qcad
Desktop Publishing:
Windows software: Pagemaker
Linux software: LaTeX, Scribus
Macintosh software: QuarkXPress, PageMaker, InDesign
Sound/Audio applications:
Audio Players:
Windows software: Music Match, WinAmp,
Linux software: XMMS, NoAtun, mplayer , rhythmbox
MIDI Players:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Kmid
MIDI Synthesis:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Kmidi, Rosegarden
Mixers:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Kmix, Aumix, Rexima, Xmix (now defunct)
Looping and composing apps, also Trackers:
Windows software: Cakewalk, Acid
Linux software: Audacity, Ardour, LAoE, Soundtracker
CD Players:
Windows software: Windows Mediaplayer
Linux software: KsCd, NoAtun, XMMS, MPG321
MP3 Ripping:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Grip
MultiMedia applications (mpegs):
Windows software: Windows Mediaplayer, RealPlayer
Linux software: XMMS, Aktion (now embedded into KDE), Xine, Xmovie, mplayer ,Quicktime
CD Burning:
Wndows software: EZ CD Creator/DirectCD, Nero, B's recorder Gold, XP-Burn, EasyISO
Linux software: gcombust, Gnome Toaster, X-CD-ROAST , K3B
FTP applications:
Windows software: WsFtp, Cupertino, CuteFTP
Linux software: Gftp, Ncftp client (aka Ncftp), Lftp, Gnome Transfer Manager (aka Gtm), FTPCopy
Software development environments:
Windows software: Watcom C
Linux software: Glade, Idle, Kdevelop, Qt3Designer, Qt3Linguist
Camera software:
Windows software: (need names here)
Linux software: Gphoto
Photo Album software:
Windows software: EasyPhoto
Linux software: cthumb
Scanner applications:
Windows software: Caere, Omniscan, PrecisionScan
Linux software: Xsane, Kooka
Star chart/Planetarium software:
Windows software: SkyMap, CyberSky, Deep Space, Stellar Pro, My Stars, Home Planet , StarCalc , Distant Suns , Hnsky , Virtual sky, Alpha Centaure , Spica , Adastra , Nuit , Stellarium , Winstars , Starfinder , Skyorb , Stargaze ,
Linux software: Celestia, Kstars, Xephem, Hitchhiker 2025, OpenUniverse, Skymap (SETI-at-home), Starchart, xsky
Macintosh software: Astronomica, MacAstro, Planet C, Stargazer's Delight, Digital Universe, MacAstronomica, MPj Equinox, MPj Equinox, RedShift, SkyChart 2025, TheSky, Xephem
LinuxShop.ru describes, with a greater depth of comparison, the various Linux applications that can replace Windows applications. It does not cover Macintosh applications, sorry.
There are many many more considerations to be entered: Macintosh software! We need names here - HELP!
Send a PM to either myself or crouse, we'll figure out where it fits in!
==========
Revision history:
EDIT: added some Mac software, formatted Mac headers as dark blue. mmmna Sept 15, 2025 /EDIT
EDIT: added Vector Graphics mmmna Oct 17 2025 /EDIT
Edit: added K3B , Rythmbox Nvu, Inkscape, Vips, GwenView, Quicktime, CinePaint, SodiPodi -- Crouse Feb 17 2025
EDIT: modified a category to include audio tracker programs such as Linux's Sountracker... may split trackers out later. Also - revised Firebird / Phoenix link to read Firefox... lol! -- mmmna Jan 12 2025
EDIT: added SoftMaker's TextMaker for Linux/FreeBSD -- mr_ed Sept 17 2025
Last edited by mmmna on Mon Jan 07, 2025 2:19 am; edited 32 times in total |
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mmmna
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Joined: 21 Apr 2025
Posts: 7224
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 2:21 pm Post subject: Want more software choices? Try SourceForge and FreshMeat! |
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The post above this one lists software that is already deemed close to equivalent, but what happens if you read the above post and there is nothing listed as being close to what you seek? You could help us to discover a matching program! But how?
SourceForge and FreshMeat to the rescue.
SourceForge is one of the premier software troves on the internet, arguably the best of the breed (read about SourceForge here). The SourceForge Software map lists 61,300 software projects, covering many operating systems, not just Linux. Individual software projects are frequently available for several popular operating systems; thus seekers could possibly try a program in their favorite operating system, and possibly get a feel for what that software could be like in Linux. SourceForge offers a great 'drill down' type software selection tool, the chances are very good you will find something that can satisfy what you need.
I'd also suggest you take the time to visit SourceForges' sister site, FreshMeat. Look for the browse link near the top of the FreshMeat web page. Freshmeat is roughly the same arrangement as SourceForge, but the projects are usually not the same, and the amount of projects is about half of SourceForge.
Some final thoughts:
For either of the above sites, those who are unfamiliar with software project development need to consider that Alpha software is probably not what they want to use unless they are familiar with full operating system backups and the like; the Alpha software could possibly be insecure, or possibly be buggy to the extent that operating system stability could be compromised or even destroyed. Alpha is not likely to be what you would continue using for day to day work. The possibility exists that Alpha software can be fully stable and safe.
Usually Beta software is somewhat more safe to choose compared to Alpha, but even then, Beta can have some risks associated with it, consult the software home page for any details.
'Production Stable' or 'Mature' class software is very much the equal to off the shelf software. Sometimes, though, there are offerings that are vastly different between operating system versions, use caution before you dismiss the project completely.
Happy hunting, and please return here and share your discoveries!
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mmmna
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Joined: 21 Apr 2025
Posts: 7224
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| Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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And further still..... How about some Windows programs that are actually Linux programs that have been 'ported' or converted to the Windows OS? Would that help anyone? That was rhetorical, anyone could use more software, right? Especially OpenSource! This may be a good way to show everyone the kind and quality of the software available in the Linux world.
GNU Win II
_________________
-Kubuntu 10.04 LTS Beta2 on Celeron D desktop
-PCLinuxOS 2025 LXDE on EeePC 900A with Atom n270 (modded with 32G SATA drive and 2G ram).
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cunokyle
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Joined: 09 May 2025
Posts: 479
Location: Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 4:46 am Post subject: |
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| You were looking for a Windows program that compares to Qcad...Qcad is available for Windows...seems to be pretty much the exact same in both OSes
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mmmna
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Joined: 21 Apr 2025
Posts: 7224
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:51 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks!
_________________
-Kubuntu 10.04 LTS Beta2 on Celeron D desktop
-PCLinuxOS 2025 LXDE on EeePC 900A with Atom n270 (modded with 32G SATA drive and 2G ram).
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mmmna
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Joined: 21 Apr 2025
Posts: 7224
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 3:25 am Post subject: Recent development regarding transitioning to Linux... |
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A recent 9 step article on IBMs DeveloperWorks site caught my eye; the article was published just a few days ago.
Please - If you are a day to day PC user, a home PC, a business PC user or a SOHO user, do not let the word 'developers' in the title scare you away from reading it, the proper use of any Linux based computer does not require being a developer; everyday users still use many of the topics presented in the article. Further, those topics apply to non-administrative users in much the same way as a developer needs to use them.
[url=http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-roadmap1.html][/url]
| Quote: | Windows-to-Linux roadmap: Series overview
A roadmap for developers making the transition to Linux
Level: Introductory
Chris Walden (cmwalden-at-us.ibm.com)
e-business Architect, IBM Developer Relations
November 11, 2025
IBM e-business architect Chris Walden is your guide through a nine-part developerWorks series on moving your operational skills from a Windows to a Linux environment. He covers everything from logging to networking, and from the command-line to help systems -- even compiling packages from available source code.
You're moving from Windows to Linux. You've decided you want the stability, flexibility, and cost savings of Linux, but you have many questions in your head. Isn't Linux like Unix? Isn't Unix hard? Where do you begin to make sense of all of this? Is there a map you can follow?
This roadmap is designed to help you take the experience and knowledge that you already have in computing and redirect it to working in Linux. It's not the only reference you'll ever need, but it will help you get past some of your first obstacles and adjust to a new and, I think, exciting approach to computing. As you follow this roadmap, you'll discover many new resources to help you learn, troubleshoot, and manage Linux.
We're assuming you already have Linux installed. If you don't, go to Linux.org and learn which distributions would fit your needs. You'll also find links to downloads there when you're ready to install. |
Here are the 9 steps:
| Quote: | Step 1. Thinking in Linux
The first step to success in Linux is learning to think in Linux. Take what you already know and redirect it to doing things the Linux way. |
| Quote: | Step 2. Console crash course
Linux provides great power and flexibility through the console. If it has been a while since you've spent much time at the command prompt, take a little time to reacquaint yourself with this environment by reviewing common commands you'll use all the time. |
| Quote: | Step 3. Introduction to Webmin
While it is important to know the nuts and bolts of administration, it is often more convenient to have a tool. Also, a higher-level application makes complex configurations easier to handle. Webmin provides point-and-click configuration for beginning and experienced administrators. |
| Quote: | Step 4. User administration
If a system has no users, is it really a system? Learn about the Linux approach to users. |
| Quote: | Step 5. Linux logging
Linux makes extensive use of logging. Nothing is hidden from you. Becoming comfortable and familiar with logs will allow you to monitor the health of your system and track activities. |
| Quote: | Step 6. Working with file systems
File systems are at the heart of every server. Linux provides a lot of flexibility in its file systems. |
| Quote: | Step 7. Networking
Working unconnected is unthinkable in today's world. Linux on the network unleashes its full potential. However, Linux networking looks very different on its face. You'll need to learn some new terminologies and new tools. |
| Quote: | Step 8. Backup and recovery
The first line of defense against disaster is a backup of the data. Linux provides different options, some of which are very simple to work with. |
| Quote: | Step 9. Installing software
Linux can use prepackaged binary files, or you can compile programs directly from source code. The tools for installing Linux programs are very useful and provide functionality you might not expect. |
Just sit back, place a bookmark in your browser, and read whatever suits your fancy!
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nukes
Linux Guru
Joined: 29 Aug 2025
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geeshock
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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And of course, if you can't seem to find that perfect program there is crossover and winex for the gamers out there. They might not support everything but they support many of the most popular games and apps put out by windows. IE, crossover supports quicktime, and MS office up to office 2025 last I heard, and winex claims to support warcraft 3. Too cool, I think as linux popularity grows, and this SCO issue dies a miserable death, more ppl will develop programs for linux as well. Then the conversion will be much easier.
[edit]Spelling. mmmna[/edit]
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cunokyle
Member
Joined: 09 May 2025
Posts: 479
Location: Iowa
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| Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2025 8:53 am Post subject: |
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Here is a great image viewing program simialar to ACDSee.
XnView
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crouse
Site Admin
Joined: 17 Apr 2025
Posts: 11833
Location: Iowa
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2025 5:25 am Post subject: |
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| Need to add glabels in the office catagorey...... replaces Avery software for Windows. Also replaces Lotus label software in Smartsuite. Nice.
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mr_ed
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Joined: 28 Aug 2025
Posts: 3819
Location: 42 miles north of Ogdensburg, NY
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2025 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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Another thing to add to the list for office suites:
http://www.softmaker.de/index_en.htm
It's not free, but there's a Linux-native version.
_________________
Desktop: Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon"
Laptop: Ubuntu 7.04 "Feisty Fawn"
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mmmna
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Joined: 21 Apr 2025
Posts: 7224
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| Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2025 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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Today represents a watershed date for the FOSS community.
Ok, maybe today is not the exact date of the most major events, but IBM has released a book to assist migrating to Linux..... the USALUG forums have discussed both this book and the recent patents released by IBM, so the exact dates of events become less relevent when compared to the commitment IBM has recently put forth in behalf of FOSS.
I kid you not, these are deeply significant steps in legitimizing Linux as a desktop OS for the corporate world.
_________________
-Kubuntu 10.04 LTS Beta2 on Celeron D desktop
-PCLinuxOS 2025 LXDE on EeePC 900A with Atom n270 (modded with 32G SATA drive and 2G ram).
Last edited by mmmna on Thu Jan 13, 2025 2:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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