As Microsoft discovered when they released Windows Vista, people don't want an operating system just for the OS itself. They want one that runs the programs they need to use, and that doesn't get in the way while they're using them. In this regard, Linux-based OSes like Ubuntu and Fedora do not disappoint. Just click on "Add/Remove Programs," and you're treated to a whole catalog of thousands of free software apps, from games and music players to Microsoft Office-compatible word processors. These programs range from labors of love by devoted hobbyists to huge projects with corporate backing, and they're all 100% free -- no reading the fine print to click "I Accept," no being prompted to register, and no having your printer software remind you to buy color ink from HP.

Because they're designed by the people who actually use them, Linux apps tend to be as functional and unobtrusive as the OSes themselves, and to let you get about your work with a minimum of fuss. But which programs are the best ones to use, for a writer's daily tasks?

Here are the best Linux apps for writers to use. Your mileage may vary, of course, so I've also listed alternatives. And the best part is, many of these programs are available for free on Windows and Mas OS X as well. They don't automatically update themselves, like in Linux-based operating systems, but you can download the latest version as normal.

Web Browser -- Mozilla Firefox

The web browser's a biggie, because as a writer you don't just need it for surfing and checking on YouTube; you also need it for research, and updating your website. Here, Linux does not disappoint. The world's most powerful web browser is included with the default install, in most distros of Linux.

Some people prefer Opera, which is also available for Linux. If you are using Ubuntu, just go to Add/Remove Programs and set it to search through all available programs, then search for Opera. Check the box next to it and click apply, and voila! You're back home in your favorite web browser. Those who aren't running Ubuntu can download a version of Opera that's designed for their distro of Linux by going to http://www.opera.com/download/index.dml?platform=linux.

Email program -- Mozilla Thunderbird

The natural counterpart to their Firefox web browser, the Mozilla Thunderbird email suite has a simple and intuitive interface. It automatically connects to your free Gmail account, so you can use it just like a normal email address. And like Firefox, it has support for a huge number of add-ons, including the Lightning calendar.

If you need the ability to connect to a Microsoft Exchange server, you probably want Evolution instead of Mozilla Thunderbird. It's the default email program for Ubuntu, and it includes a built-in calendar program as well, one that has iCal support.

Word processor -- AbiWord

Now that we've gotten the basics out of the way, let's cover the program you'll be spending most of your time in front of: The word processor. And in my opinion, AbiWord is the best one there is for Linux. It doesn't take half an hour to load, so you won't forget your idea by the time it starts up. And it doesn't have tons of features you don't need, or menus you have to wade through in order to click on the one thing you want. It just loads up and lets you write copy, quick, neat and elegant.

At the same time, though, it features both word count and page count, spell- and grammar-checkers, and a full-fledged dictionary and thesaurus. It lets you indent text, add hyperlinks, and do all the basic things that you need to do to produce copy.

If you need to create Microsoft Office-compatible documents where more complex formatting is important, check out OpenOffice.org Writer. Both Writer and AbiWord are available for Windows, Mac and Linux, so you can try them out no matter what OS you are using right now.

Note-taking app -- BasKet

If you've used Microsoft OneNote before, say hello to its free replacement. And if you haven't used note-taking software before, say hello to your new best friend. BasKet lets you easily put your ideas together, organizing them into "baskets" that you can sort by topic or project.

You can create one-column, multi-column or freeform note pages, and can use bullet points, text formatting, and check boxes and progress bars (for keeping track of your projects). You can use BasKet to draw a box around anything on the screen, and then insert that into your notes as a picture. You can even put hyperlinks into BasKet, to other notes of yours or to webpages.

It's not as shiny or full-featured as Microsoft OneNote, but it loads more quickly. Then the whole thing just stays resident in your system tray, and you can click on the icon to fade it back into view. You can choose from a variety of colors and backgrounds for your notes, and when you click on a page you haven't clicked on that session the notes sort of fly in from all directions, quickly settling into place in what I think is a neat effect.

You'll want to leave BasKet running at all times so as not to let an idea escape. Sadly, it's not available for Windows, although Mac users can compile it to run on OS X just like other Linux software.

Music player -- Amarok

The default player that ships with Ubuntu and many other distros of Linux, called Rhythmbox, is kind of gray and industrial-looking. It also takes up space on the bar at the bottom of the screen and drops an icon into the system tray. You need a better-looking, less obtrusive music player, and for that you need Amarok. This shiny blue player sports impressive graphic design, and an iTunes-esque interface that's simply a joy to use. Plus, while it's running you can click on the X to close it, and it'll turn into an icon in the system tray. Then you can click on the icon to bring it back up, sort of like BasKet, or use keyboard shortcuts to change what song is playing.

It has a neat visual effect where it brings up a transparent panel with the name of the next song, every time it begins playing one. You may not like the distraction, though, so look in the config menu and turn it off if it bothers you.

If you liked WinAmp more than iTunes on Windows, check out XMMS. It's a WinAmp-inspired player that's so similar, you can even use WinAmp 2 classic skins on it.

Games -- Frozen Bubble and Kobo Deluxe

Sometimes you just don't feel like spending your lunch break doing research. There are hundreds of games available for Linux, but Frozen Bubble and Kobo Deluxe are two of the best, with gameplay that's stood the test of time. They aren't exactly EAGames blockbusters, but they've been refined and polished over the years, and both of these games are a labor of love for their creators (instead of probable cause for the "EA Spouse"'s lament).

Frozen Bubble is a Bust-a-Move style puzzle game, where you shoot icy spheres at the playing field and try to get three of a kind. Kobo Deluxe is a space shooter with interesting rules, such as being able to shoot both forward and backwards at the same time and being able to fly in any direction. You'll get the hang of it quickly, though, and you might have trouble putting it down.

For a game you can play when you've got hours to burn, check out Battle for Wesnoth, a turn-based fantasy strategy game. And for a game with an epic storyline, try Beneath a Steel Sky. Made in the golden age of 2d adventure gaming, it features both hand-drawn and computer animations, and has full voice acting to narrate its sci-fi story.

The Upshot

There are thousands of apps available for Linux, and if you can't find a Linux version of the Windows software you're used to you can probably find an equivalent. Also check out Wine and/or Crossover, for ways to run your existing Windows programs on Linux! Good luck!

*Contributed by Jared Spurbeck, on Associated Content , Originally published Aug 27, 2008