Desktop linux question...

[harrysholycows]

I am writing this because of how custom an instal can be with linux (the ability to pick what packages to instal).

My question is, what are the best packages to add while doing an instal? I know it is subjective, as some may say KDE and others Gnome. But what about for a DVD player, or MP3 player? What are the best free games?

<bold>What would you install with your linux distro for a desktop machine?</bold>

What are the worst things to instal (bears to remove from the machine)?

Also, what is the best IDE for debian?

Finally, what do people use for email? I LOVED pine years ago when in college, but someone told me it is not a secure email reading program.

Thanks!

[juicelooser]

For mail, I use Ximian Evolution (http://ximian.com/products/evolution/).

[v0mit]

Evolution for Mail. Period.

Xmms or Zinf for mp3 player.

Xine or Mplayer for dvd and video players

nothing is 'worst to install' if you are using apt-get for your debian machine.. there is really no need to compile from source in a desktop machine!
kpackage or Synaptic for apt-get/dpkg frontend

Tuxracer seems to be pretty popular... but I dont know much about games.

Browse around boards and check out that 'underrated software' thread for more interesting packages.
Or just point your browser to http://www.freshmeat.net

[sharth]

basically, i just install blackbox and xfce4. and then i just add things as i get to it... basically, just look at what you use on a daily basis. those programs which you don't even notice that you use... :p

(lsof for example.. but thats not even remotly desktop related...)

[SuperNu]

Email - Evolution - It's the best email client I have found so far.

DVD - MPlayer or Ogle. MPlayer is a great overall media player considering you get all of the codecs and libraries. Ogle is great for DVD's.

MP3 - XMMS - Win Amp clone, but better.

Games - Frozen Bubble - Puzzle Bobble clone and highly addictive

Desktop - I personally like KDE, xfce4 and fluxbox.

--SN