Additional Programs to be Packed with BroncOS?

[Ashok Gelal]

I know that still it is a long way to go for BroncOS but I think we need to start talking about additional programs that BroncoOS need to carry. There are many programs out there which are very productive. Though they can be easily installed after installing Ubuntu, it would be better if a new user gets them out-of-box. I would suggest following programs:

Avant Window Navigator

Sage (Maple alternative - those who are taking mathematics will love it)

Gnome-Do (Application Launcher; you will forget Alt+F2)

Amarok (music player)

Kopete (Pidgin is there but Kopete is better with video support)

StarDict (Offline Dictionary; the good part is you can instantly get the meaning of a word inside any document just by pressing Super key so no need to copy-open a browser-go to dictionary.com-paste-click search)

Avidemus (for video editing; kino is there but for me Avidemus was very convenient and stable)

gtk-recordMyDesktop

I know there are lot more. What about you guys? Which programs would you like to see in BroncOS?

[Ryan]

Mostly I think (and this is purely my opinion) that we need to have a base setup of sotfware. Mostly office and productivity software so a student can pick up his PC and hammer out reports, work on projects and everything else a normal student could need to do with a small amount of learning required.

I agree with most of the software you listed, but I doubt gtk-recordMyDesktop will be needed by the general population we target, I love it, but it maybe extraneous.

Software I feel could be loved to have (most of which is already included):
OpenOffice (duh!)
KWordQuiz (flash card program for those that don't know, Trent showed me, and I <3 it)
MPlayer (Movies are sexy)
GIMP (or some more basic image editing software)

My list is somewhat short, but really I don't want to pack the BroncOS to the gills. I feel that when we actually install the OS to the user's drive, we can if the user wants install additional software if they come to meetings to get it from us if they don't know how to do it themselves.

In essence, we generate a basic package of software and UI to be used in a live/installation CD for the BroncOS. I feel I seem to be sounding angry or depressing writing this, I don't want to curve anyone from showing off their favorite software, just letting everyone know we can't load everything onto the CD.

[Nate]

K3B,
Mplayer
Gimp
Compiz-Fusion

I have to agree with Ryan I dont know about gtk-recordMyDesktop
I'm also assuming open office is included

[Trent Cutler]

I think the Gmail notifier would be great as well, considering broncomail is now run by google.

A PDF would be great to help people get other applications running like picasa and google earth. Which I think could be quite useful for college kids as well.

I'd like to see some basic shortcuts already implemented (see gOS) that kind of utilize free we services, like google docs, dictionary, facebook, flickr, email, maps. things like that.

I don't know how difficult it would be, but tweaking avant to have some of those would be very cool.

[Phil]

Do we want to have the installation process allow the user to select tasks the system will be used for? The task selection would then preselect packages that would be installed. For example, if I'm never going to edit video, I don't care about Avidemus, kino, or anything else like that. Similarly, if I'm a liberal arts major, I don't give a plugged nickel for Sage. BUT, if I have a chance to say what I'll use my system for, and the installer automatically gives me useful programs to do those things, I will be happy. :) Even if we don't put them on a live disc, but just automatically install them once the base system is loaded, that's a good thing. A lot of linux newbies just don't know how to find software that will do what they want. I've been using it for a long time now, and I still have problems sometimes.

I think a variety of distros do something like this, but typically with coarser selection (i.e. Web Server, File Server, Desktop, etc).

[Ashok Gelal]

"A lot of Linux newbies just don't know how to find software that will do what they want." That's exactly what I mean. Just in two weeks I've helped installing Ubuntu in five Laptops. As soon as I complete installation they ask - now what? Anita asked me - where is Maple? Another friend asked me - why should I switch when I had already running vista with MS Office? Just to work with Open Office? It would be great if we can say them - "see you can do a whole lot of stuffs with BroncOS without manually installing any additional software and without paying a penny".

I liked your idea of allowing users to select the additional software they want and install them automatically. I'd used Fedora for quiet a long time and I liked its 'Customization Install' Option.