Linux Software

GDAM
I recently discovered this excellent piece of software designed for DJing. It allows you to stream MP3s through different "decks" and do loads of weird and wonderful things to the sound as it goes through. While I am no DJ, I have dabbled in it and I think that once this software is a bit more stable it could well become a Linux killer app!

Ice WM
A small, efficient, but flexible window manager for Linux. Like Enlightenment (see below) it is themeable - although not to the same level - however it is much easier on system resources, and much less complex.

Enlightenment
This somewhat grandly-named piece of software is also a Window Manager, however unlike Window Maker the emphasis here is purely on appearance. Enlightenment or 'E' prides itself on being a chameleon, it can change to look like almost everything. Many people have created different looks or "themes" for E which can be downloaded from http://e.themes.org/. E also supports Epplets and I maintain a repository of Epplets here.

W3M
An excellent console-based web browser which does an amazing job of rendering even complex webpages using only text. It is very elegant and handles tables and even frames. You can use the mouse to select links and even move around the page. Best of all, unlike the current bloatware they call web-browsers, it is only 600k in size!

Zope
If you want to create a website - use Zope, its as simple as that. Zope is a system that allows you to create a dynamic web site, including interfaces to databases, and almost anything else you care to do. The entire system can be completely administered over the web and supports a sophisticated permissions system so you can delegate responsibility to others without risking security. Zope is even available for Windows if you must use it, and like all the best software, it is Open Source.

Gnome
Gnome is a "Desktop Environment", it is designed to make Linux easier to use by providing a framework through which applications can communicate with each other, thus allowing Linux to compete with Microsoft's Windows operating system on the desktop. Another project in a similar vein is The K Desktop Environment or KDE. KDE is at a further stage of development, but Gnome promises more flexibility. If you are deciding on a desktop environment, I suggest you try both.

Python
Python isn't just a programming language, it is a way of life. I have dedicated a section of my webpage to it.

Numerous GNU Utilities
One of the heroes of the Open Source community is GNU, these guys have created a suite of free Unix utilities without which Linux would be nothing. Much respect is due to Richard M Stallman and his band of merry men (and women?).

Mozilla
The OpenSource version of Netscape. A foray into the world of giving away source code, that really drew OpenSource to the public's attention. Interesting site even if you have no intention of trying the software.