# Applications in Ubuntu

Ubuntu includes a selection of useful applications which are installed by default. You can start an application by pressing Applications and then selecting an application from one of the categories displayed.

## Installing applications

Installing applications in Ubuntu is different to Windows. You're probably used to the Add/Remove Applications function in Control Panel. Ubuntu has a similar function that can install as well as remove applications.

A huge selection of free applications are available stored in repositories. If you would like to install additional applications, press Applications Add/Remove.... Then, browse the selection of packages available and check the ones which you would like to install. When you have finished selecting packages, press Apply and wait for the installation process to finish.

If you know the name of a specific application, you can use Synaptic (&synaptic;).

The advantage of using these methods is that you will be automatically notified of updates.

Additional, unsupported software

You can select Third Party Applications from the Show list box in the Add/Remove... application to see available third party applications.

## Ubuntu equivalents to Windows programs

You can do anything with Ubuntu you could do in Windows. The applications are different however. You can download many of these applications and try them in Windows. What follows is a guide to Ubuntu equivalents.

Ubuntu Equivalents to Windows Applications

Windows | Ubuntu | Location | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
Microsoft Office | Open Office | &open-office; | It can open Microsoft Office files and supports the Open Document format. Try it now by downloading from OpenOffice.org
Internet Explorer | Mozilla Firefox | &firefox; | Supports tabbed browsing and can be extended with new skins and extensions. Try it now by downloading from Mozilla.
Windows Live Messenger | Empathy | &empathy; | Supports multiple protocols including MSN Messenger, AIM and Yahoo.
Skype | Ekiga | &ekiga; | Lets you make audio and video calls over the Internet. It is compatible with Windows Messenger and most VoIP applications. It cannot communicate with Skype, which uses proprietary technology. Try it now by downloading from Ekiga.
Outlook | Evolution | &evolution-mail; | Offers contact and calendar management in addition to being a full featured email client.
Picasa | F-Spot | &f-spot; | Can import and catalog photos from a wide range of sources, including many digital cameras.
Photoshop | Gimp | &gimp; | Includes many of Photoshop's features. Try it now by downloading from Gimp.
Windows Media Player | Totem | &totem; | Boasts features such as automatic playlists, instant music search and drag-and-drop queueing, but it can also handle podcasts, share music over a network and integrate with the online Last.fm service. What more could you ask for?
iTunes | Rhythmbox | &rhythmbox; | Offers iPod synchronisation and access to stores such as Jamendo and Magnatunes.