Making the move.... Software alternatives

[adammc]

Hi guyes,

Can I get some recommendations on the linux alternatives of the following windows software?

Windows Live Messanger
Win. media Player
Whois lookup tool (for checking domain names)

Is the gimp the only proggy that compares with Photoshop?

Do I need an anti virus / firewall proggy when using linux?
If so what should I use?

Thanks

[Nepherte]

Windows Live messenger -> Emesene, Pidgin, ...
Windows Media Player -> MPlayer/Gnome-MPlayer, VLC, Totem, ...
whois -> whois

You don't need antivirus software. A firewall is included in the default install, but generally you don't need to change its settings.

[kpkeerthi]

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Antivirus

[adammc]

thanks Nepherte,

Does anyone know of an alterntative to this GREAT windows app: http://www.milenix.com/ (PIM software)

[hyper_ch]

for MSN I'd suggest aMSN... it's the most feature-rich msn-client on linux I think...

Amarok is a great audio player.

The two "main" PIM clients are Evolution and Kontact. Both have email client, calendar, to-do lists and a few other things but I'm not sure if you're looking for such a PIM.

[kpkeerthi]

I use osmo

...More...

[brookswm]

As stated before, Pigin works great. I dont use a lot of the advanced features of MSN messenger, so I dont know how those work... but I do enjoy the utility of using AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and Gtalk all in one neat and tidy program.

[timcredible]

as for photoshop alternative, digikam is really good too. install digikam and kipi-plugins and you have an easy to use photo management/editing tool. it does everything that most people ever want to do with a photo. i like the gimp, and it can do much more than digikam, but i find digikam much easier to use.