Alternative PRODUCTIVITY apps on Linux

[@JohnCastleSmokeless]

The thing is that _many_ of these apps are also available on Windows or macOS. Even if you don't switch to Linux whole-cloth, just switching to these apps is a _massive_ favor to yourself.

[@arxaaron]

Just say no to subscription softwares. Period. Any softwares you can't install, control, use and own locally will soon have their Feudal subscription slumlords owning you.

[@JosephDickson]

My honorable mentions: RSS: Liferea, Notes: GNote.

[@adriansinisa5867]

Adding to your RSS list: fluent reader

[@podhditalia]

I switched from evernote to Joplin since last January, currently satisfied

[@cominup85]

I love how many people have commented how long they've been following you. I, too, subscribed a long time ago, but I haven't really seen notifications for a long time. Tonight, when you popped up, I was like "wow, this guy was one of the originals". I'll be sure to click the bell!

[@ronsingh]

Excellent list of apps, I will be checking a few out. Much gratitude for the work you put ito this. Subbed, liked and shared to 2 others🙂

[@arunachaleshwark939]

Yes sir. I procrastinate by watching videos to get more productive 🌚😓. Also, nice to have you back Blaine

[@atlantic_love]

LOL, you are not alone in that regard. Not by a long shot. Look at the rest of us farting pigs here clicking on "just one more video" :D

[@JoachimJacob]

I like this video. I've been following you for years, like the app focus. Would be nice to have some more video's about apps in the future. Perhaps centered around a topic, for example PDF reading and annotating and signing.

[@FengLengshun]

PDF, the way to go if you want it free is to use MasterPDF5 in flatpak for simple task, and then use the older masterpdf4 separately (there .rpm & .deb out there as well as AUR for use in host or distrobox) as it has more features for free. If you have the money, Qoopa studio seems good. If you don't need a lot of features and want an all-in-one Office suite, WPS is good, just throw it in flatpak with network access turned off. Also, I like Okular for certain type of documents and I like MComix for comic book reading. And I think I used to use Librera Reader for e-book?

[@SamRandhawaMD]

Okular is popular choice for PDF reading and annotations

[@t0dd000]

Joplin & Obsidian Been using Joplin for years and years. Super flexible and powerful. I use it as my "second brain," but more importantly, I use it to organize my writing projects (poetry, short stories, memoir, novels). It's perfect for compiling research and for writing the works themselves. I have had zero issues syncing Joplin across two desktops and my phone. FYI. Obsidian (proprietary) is a similar program many people bring up in the same conversations (Join and Obsidian have nearly identical functionality). It too is powerful & reasonably flexible. I have used both Joplin & Obsidian and, though it has its merits, Obsidian just isn't as powerful nor flexible when compared to Joplin, but you would probably have to be a power user to care. What Obsidian does have is a smoother interface and its Canvas feature is killer. In fact, I keep Obsidian around just to play with ideas using the Canvas feature. (Note that Obsidian's Kanban feature is superior as well, I'll give them that.) But that's it. I use Joplin for everything else.

[@schaumi396]

I think that "Planner" is also called "Planify" because on some Software Centers there is also a different program called "Planner" which is a project management toll with gantt diagrams.

[@StarcrossTV]

I must admit I'm a tad disappointed that Kontact, the suite KDE uses wasn't mentioned. It might be pretty old but its quite powerful and integrates beautifully with KDE. It could use some more love and maintainence though to compete with Thunderbird as a PIM (Personal information management) suite

[@Hun_Uinaq]

For me, personally, the productivity software that made the biggest difference in my life by far when I was using Linux would have to be Org-mode on Emacs. Phenomenal software.

[@DSTechMedia]

Geary has been my e-mail app ever since I got into Elementary. I have it on Ubuntu handling 3 different e-mail accounts currently. I'm also a long-time user of Evolution, and I'll manage e-mail through it as well. But I use Evolution primarily for calendar/events syncing & reminders. I keep to-do lists in it as well. My current RSS client is Fluent Reader. I love it. For notes I split between Typora(a MD editor) and Notes-Up. Notes-Up I use because it saves the entire notebooks as a SQL database file, and I just keep that in a shared Nextcloud folder. The issue is there's no client for a smart-phone.

[@soumyameta]

1. Affine (for management and notes) 2. onlyoffice (for office works ) 3. Ferdium ( for handling many social media web apps ) 4. Thunderbird ( for email ) 5. Appflowy ( another note taking software with simplicity)

[@isuruthiwanka2595]

I am using WPS office on both Linux and Windows. Linux one if totally free while windows one free trial. WPS Office has lot features than traditional Microsoft one

[@ytuser13082011]

Trilium is the best for me at least. Using it self-hosted on my cluster, also have local app that syncs. It's great, because it's fully WYSIWYG, not just limited markdown.

[@Karla_Finch-Cluff]

I need to check out Thunderbird again and a lot of these others to get a feel for what feels best. Thanks again!

[@raphaelkyembe4407]

Great content. We need more videos of apps than those of distros.

[@atlantic_love]

I'd love it if you did an "Alternative DEVELOPMENT apps on Linux" video.

[@roberttranceedm]

Obsidian is a book writer's best friend!

[@karsten_m]

And for many more use cases. With many ways to synchronize your files, I usually use syncthing for that.

[@roberttranceedm]

@@karsten_m Well, I could only talk about what I'm using it for.

[@jps89pt]

What about Scrivener's Appimage?

[@t0dd000]

I prefer Joplin for the same purpose. I do keep Obsidian around for the Canvas feature when I'm toying with ideas.

[@t0dd000]

Web browsing. A boring topic, I know. But … I use an obscene number of browsers. - Firefox is primary driver (Multi-Account Containers is a killer feature) - Vivaldi for my zillion cloud-based spreadsheets that are always open (work related) - Chrome for Android and Facebook chat only. Ha! - LibreWolf for one-off lookups and things. - TOR for occasional things. Heh.

[@loewenching6123]

Same here, I use Multi-account containers a lot in firefox

[@michaeljeacock]

I also prefer Standard Note to Simplenote as they are very similar but Standard Note has full encryption.

[@renzoxd]

for note taking or something like notion i would recommend anytype

[@Lanzetsu]

I have so many OS in different computers and even on my gf's computer and the work computer... so I tend to configure Thunderbird... and I like it for mails, HOWEVER after trying for already 1 year now MailSpring... it is SO HARD sometimes to not blow away all the Thunderbird installations and replace them with Mailspring. At my heart I know Thunderbird is better overall, but the aesthetics of Malspring and easy to use/find options are just lovely. New Thunderbird is looking sharp tho, but I kind of fell in love with Mailspring. BTW I am in need of creating a Wiki but I have no clue on what to use that doesn't require a lot of knowledge in programming, I was checking on stuff that can be setup with Apache so I can have a local address to get it on LAN but I am still hesitant on what software to use for the creating the wiki itself, any suggestion?

[@k.b.tidwell]

A wiki program I've looked into but haven't dedicated time to learning is Tiddlywiki. I scoped out several wiki programs months ago, and it came out on top. Can't remember why! One day I'll look at it again...

[@franciscoromero7386]

All-in-ones: - Thunderbird - Evolution - Nextcloud To-Do/Task managers: - Endeavour - Getting Things Gnome - Todoist - Planner Calendars: - Gnome Calendar - Morgan Email: - Geary - Mailspring RSS Feeds: - NewsFlash Note taking: - Simplenote - Joplin - Obsidian - Trilium - Xournal++ Cloud storage: - pCloud - icedrive - Mega Office Suite: - LibreOffice - OnlyOffice - WPS - Softmaker Office

[@dksayt]

I find that Linux Mint doesn't need anything added that does not install with it other than something like Evolution or Thunderbird to access all email addresses at once.

[@JCO2002]

Thanks. My most important apps are QGIS and Shotcut. QGIS on Linux Mint actually works. On Windows, it was constant crashes - you had to save every few minutes to not lose work.

[@JCO2002]

@@Bogotrazitelj. Very cool. I carry out speleo research here in Jamaica, so use it a lot. I'm sure you'd find the newer versions more capable.

[@rafaelpalmalima]

I use Rnote for note taking... It's an awesome Gnome app

[@allsunday1485]

I teach math online using rnote. Amazing piece of software. It just works

[@pride0406]

Falto Logseq en el apartado de note-taking, buen video saludos desde Chile

[@pacbilly]

Planify is the GTK4 rewrite of Planner.

[@Prophet6000]

Joplin is really great

[@inout3394]

I have problems with backup, messy.. On mobile. Then switch to Markor (markdown editor with folders and work great)

[@t0dd000]

Joplin is my second brain and what I use to write poetry, short stories, and novels. I love this application and have used it for years.

[@MichaelZwahlen]

Great list! Thank you. For email I would like to use Geary. But why it's not showing all external pictures in the msg when activated in settings?

[@JohnCastleSmokeless]

Is it me, or is Endeavour identical to Planify?

[@diuran1919]

Bottom bar is transparent but when you click start mint buttons and all apps and groups shows up, windows don't have any transparent feature hmm is there any way to make that also transparent or half if is possible ?

[@MrOrtmeier]

I'm also using Geary because it's simple, fits the cinnamon aesthetic and Thunderbird is too much

[@Silverwolvie]

Hey first thnx for the vids last I saw your tweaks for gaming but I never saw a what the heck I need to install with out going the nobara distro (which is not working for me) or garuda distro (which is ugly as hell) I am looking for a distro like mint to stop using Windows. thnx :)

[@MrOrtmeier]

Not sure how private Mailspring is. I tried it once but it created some extra folders in my Gmail which I struggled to delete

[@BosBrandon-m1m]

Is there a good scale drawing tool I’m a metal fabricator need to draw it out and then run it to see if it work s before building it cnc or model tools

[@t0dd000]

I'm no expert on that use case, but ... Inkscape maybe?

[@andrewbevan4662]

sorry if it's a stupid question by why don't companies like Adobe etc make official Linux versions of their programs?

[@t0dd000]

Probably because their core audience doesn't use Linux and Linux desktop users are more inclined to gravitate to open source solutions.

[@micsss_]

And because the linux marketshare only accounts 4-6% which is not profitable enough for them to even provide support due to demographics

[@t0dd000]

@@micsss_ And MacOS is a mere 15% and was far less a few years ago and yet ... Loads of support. That's the platform they emphasize. It's their niche. What I mean is, I think it has far more to do with the demographics of the users and the fact that Linux users are comfortable with the open source replacements which are very adequate. I.e., Not enough Linux users will spring for the license. Adobe users are generally Apple users. Since they support Apple, it would be trivial for Adobe to support Linux as well. But they probably won't because Linux users won't pay for it.

[@zweiwing4435]

But all those software are cross-platforms?

[@ChibbyTibblers]

Wnat do you mean the Linux mint guy doesn't use emacs?

[@kansascityonline]

I stopped using Mint when they dropped KDE Plasma... Just not a Gnome fan.. but.. still I like all your videos!.. Kubuntu is my go to beast!.. I've tried em all - even Alpine.. (facepalm)..

[@eijentwun5509]

Then you havent Properly tried MATE with Compiz. When set up right with the right theme it is better than them all.

[@kansascityonline]

@@eijentwun5509 definitely an honorable manager.!. If I remember, Ubuntu from awhile back had it as the Unity manager..? I did try it and found it most interesting - especially the cube.. I just didn't have the time to learn all its options.. but yea.. a nice retro manager indeed.. Still though, I am very happy with Kubuntu and Plasma for all things computer related.....but yea..

[@JoeSmith-pu9hi]

Tried mxlinux?

[@kansascityonline]

@@JoeSmith-pu9hi oh yea.. for nearly 10 yrs now... I use if for my live webcasting.. its a beast!

[@k.b.tidwell]

Hmmm. I just checked Synaptic on my Mint install and the KDE desktop is available in the repositories. Load it up. I have before.

[@1shARyn3]

Thunderbird has gone extensively DOWNHILL with the latest UI update --- it studders, doesn't react to mouse clicks, ABENDS, etc... Used to love it, now thinking about alternatives.

[@t0dd000]

Works fine for me.

[@raphaelkyembe4407]

Flowy as well

[@RandyHanley]

Great Video. I love NewsFlash. It's so solid and fast.

[@pdkmusic]

Vivaldi is another great all in one solution.

[@peterbreis5407]

The Achilles Heel of Linux is the Apps. I live in hope, but low expectations.

[@eijentwun5509]

Not quite, you just havent found or heard of the right ones...plus you probably compare Commercial to Open Source or Closed Source to Open Source. Compare Closed source and commercial Apps on Windows and Mac to Closed source and Commercial apps on Linux. I used Closed Source equivalents to PC's and Macs. as well as some good Open Source.

[@peterbreis5407]

@@eijentwun5509 Any suggestions? I've tried most of the suites and a lot of the Utilities. I'd love to get an alternative to Pages/Numbers/Keynote. Alternative to Downie for capturing video/Audio. Renamer for batch renaming. Preview for fixing/resaving image formats/pdfs. A browser to match Safari, still the best, been through a long list of the alternatives. Alternative to Quicktime/Music for video/music/audiobook playback. Alternative to Books/iBooks Author for ePubs. Alternative to Affinity/Adobe for Graphics. Alternative to Figma/Sketch for UI/UX, ...and a lot of others. The Apps have to do the job and do it well, not be "sorta does the job".

[@zedtrek]

I use Linux mostly because applications 😂

[@peterbreis5407]

@@zedtrek I use Apple mostly because grammar 😂

[@zedtrek]

@@peterbreis5407 You should try that in Italian or Spanish, you would probably have a different experience 😘

[@steve_account]

What do we do about the drm software that we need to talk about?

[@PremierPrep]

I do love Linux Mint... but the first thing I always to is change the icon them. Mint's icons are just awful in my opinion.

[@kumarpal432]

Hi

[@ccaiuss]

UpNote

[@ogrejd]

Meh. The current Thunderbird is unusable now that, as of v115, there's no way to have it show you the actual email addresses of the sender before you open it, even with extensions. Just glad I have it set to plain--text 'cos clicking on the "Thank you for your Steam purchase!" mail from Steam Support yesterday morning would have gone badly (I had bought something on the weekend and thought I'd forgotten to move the receipt over to a save folder). :/ EDIT: Oh, and it also doesn't have any daemons, so it has no way to alert you to any new mail or calendar event or anything else unless you keep it open all the time.

[@t0dd000]

No email shown without opening. I never noticed that before. Interesting. Yeah, that would be useful. Notifications. A daemon _is_ an "always open" state. Just right click and hide it. Same behavior.

[@ordinarryalien]

Please keep making more videos, human. 💚👽

[@ordinarryalien]

Also, you remind me of Marc Jackson. Have you seen The Orville? It's a nice show if you like sci-fi or Star Trek.

[@daytonaukpc9387]

Linux desktop is just a toy and a poor one at that. You are welcome to waste your time on Linux and what works and doesn’t and I will just get on with work.

[@RogerioPereiradaSilva77]

Thank you for this nugget of wisdom, good sir! Now go pest somewhere else, willya?

[@007arek]

You will waste time on Linux not cos it's a toy, but it's too powerful. 😅

[@t0dd000]

A toy I've used as my desktop for (checks date) 28 years now. Heh. If anything, the criticism has been the opposite. It used to only be acceptable for power users like myself, but that all mostly changed quite some time ago.

[@lvill3633]

Linux Mint