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If you are using a lightweight Linux distro, you might be wondering what are the best applications and tools that you can use on your system. A lightweight Linux distro is a Linux distribution that is designed to run smoothly and efficiently on hardware with limited resources. It usually has low system requirements and consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than a normal or heavy Linux distro. However, that does not mean that you have to compromise on the functionality and usability of your system. There are many lightweight Linux applications and tools that can provide you with the features and capabilities that you need or want on your system.
In this article, we will list and describe some of the best applications and tools that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for various tasks and purposes. We will also mention their advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives. We will also provide some tips and tricks on how to install and use them on your system.
Best applications for a lightweight Linux distro
Applications are software programs that perform specific functions or tasks on your system. They usually have a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to interact with them using your mouse and keyboard. Some of the most common types of applications that you may need or want to use on your system are:
Here are some of the best applications that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for each of these categories:
Web browser: Falkon
Falkon is a lightweight and modern web browser that uses QtWebEngine as its rendering engine. QtWebEngine is based on Chromium, which means it supports most of the web standards and technologies that are used by popular websites. Falkon has a simple and intuitive user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as tabs, bookmarks, history, downloads, etc.
Some of the advantages of Falkon are:
Some of the disadvantages of Falkon are:
Some of the alternatives to Falkon are:
To install Falkon on your system, you can use the following command:
To launch Falkon on your system, you can use the following command:
Email client: Trojita
Trojita is a lightweight and fast email client that uses IMAP as its protocol. IMAP is a protocol that allows you to access and manage your emails from a remote server without downloading them to your local system. Trojita has a simple and clean user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as inbox, sent, drafts, trash, etc.
Some of the advantages of Trojita are:
Some of the disadvantages of Trojita are:
Some of the alternatives to Trojita are:
To install Trojita on your system, you can use the following command:
To launch Trojita on your system, you can use the following command:
Office suite: GDebi Package Installer
GDebi Package Installer is a lightweight and simple office suite that allows you to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. It uses the OpenDocument Format (ODF) as its default file format, which is an open and standard format that is compatible with most of the other office suites. GDebi Package Installer has a simple and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features such as fonts, styles, tables, charts, etc.
Some of the advantages of GDebi Package Installer are:
Some of the disadvantages of GDebi Package Installer are:
Some of the alternatives to GDebi Package Installer are:
To install GDebi Package Installer on your system, you can use the following command:
To launch GDebi Package Installer on your system, you can use the following command:
Media player: Parole Media Player
Parole Media Player is a lightweight and simple media player that allows you to play audio and video files on your system. It supports most of the common media formats and codecs that are used by popular media files. Parole Media Player has a simple and clean user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as play, pause, stop, volume, playlist, etc.
Some of the advantages of Parole Media Player are:
Some of the disadvantages of Parole Media Player are:
Some of the alternatives to Parole Media Player are:
To install Parole Media Player on your system, you can use the following command:
To launch Parole Media Player on your system, you can use the following command:
File manager: Thunar File Manager
Thunar File Manager is a lightweight and fast file manager that allows you to browse and manage files and folders on your system. It supports most of the common file operations and features that are used by popular file managers. Thunar File Manager has a simple and elegant user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as copy, move, rename, delete, compress, extract, etc.
Some of the advantages of Thunar File Manager are:
Some of the disadvantages of Thunar File Manager are:
Some of the alternatives to Thunar File Manager are:
To install Thunar File Manager on your system, you can use the following command:
To launch Thunar File Manager on your system, you can use the following command:
Best tools for a lightweight Linux distro
Tools are software programs that perform specific functions or tasks on your system. They usually have a command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to interact with them using your keyboard and mouse. Some of the most common types of tools that you may need or want to use on your system are:
Here are some of the best tools that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for each of these categories:
Installation tool: Rufus USB Creator
Rufus USB Creator is a lightweight and simple tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive that contains the installation image of a lightweight Linux distro. You can use this USB drive to install the lightweight Linux distro on your system or to try it out in live mode without installing it on your hard drive.
Some of the advantages of Rufus USB Creator are:
Some of the disadvantages of Rufus USB Creator are:
Some of the alternatives to Rufus USB Creator are:
To install Rufus USB Creator on your system, you can download it from its official website https://rufus.ie/.
To launch Rufus USB Creator on your system, you can run it from the downloaded file.
Customization tool: LXQt Configuration Center
LXQt Configuration Center is a lightweight and simple tool that allows you to customize and personalize your LXQt desktop environment by changing various settings and options of your system configuration and appearance. LXQt is one of the most popular and user-friendly desktop environments for lightweight Linux distros such as Lubuntu, LXLE, SparkyLinux, etc.
Some of the advantages of LXQt Configuration Center are:
Some of the disadvantages of LXQt Configuration Center are:
Some of the alternatives to LXQt Configuration Center are:
To install LXQt Configuration Center on your system, you can use the following command:
To launch LXQt Configuration Center on your system, you can use the following command:
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Conclusion
In this article, we have listed and described some of the best applications and tools that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for various tasks and purposes. We have also mentioned their advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives. We have also provided some tips and tricks on how to install and use them on your system.
We hope you have found this article useful and informative. If you are interested in learning more about lightweight Linux distros or other related topics, you can visit our website https://thelinuxforum.com/ where you can find more articles, guides, tutorials, reviews, comparisons, etc.
You can also join our forum where you can interact with other Linux enthusiasts, ask questions, share your opinions and experiences, get support and guidance, and contribute to the development and community of Linux.
Thank you for reading and have a great day! ?
FAQs
Q: What is a lightweight Linux distro?
A: A lightweight Linux distro is a Linux distribution that is designed to run smoothly and efficiently on hardware with limited resources. It usually has low system requirements and consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than a normal or heavy Linux distro.
Q: Why use a lightweight Linux distro?
A: There are many reasons to use a lightweight Linux distro over a normal or heavy one. Some of them are:
Q: How to choose a lightweight Linux distro for your needs?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question as different lightweight Linux distros may have different strengths and weaknesses. However, some general factors to consider when choosing a lightweight Linux distro for your needs are:
In this article, we will list and describe some of the best applications and tools that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for various tasks and purposes. We will also mention their advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives. We will also provide some tips and tricks on how to install and use them on your system.
Best applications for a lightweight Linux distro
Applications are software programs that perform specific functions or tasks on your system. They usually have a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to interact with them using your mouse and keyboard. Some of the most common types of applications that you may need or want to use on your system are:
- Web browser: A web browser is an application that allows you to access and view web pages and online content on the internet. It also allows you to download files, stream videos, play games, etc.
- Email client: An email client is an application that allows you to send and receive emails from your email account. It also allows you to manage your contacts, calendars, tasks, etc.
- Office suite: An office suite is a collection of applications that allow you to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. It also allows you to view and print files in various formats.
- Media player: A media player is an application that allows you to play audio and video files on your system. It also allows you to manage your media library, create playlists, adjust settings, etc.
- File manager: A file manager is an application that allows you to browse and manage files and folders on your system. It also allows you to copy, move, rename, delete, compress, extract, etc.
Here are some of the best applications that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for each of these categories:
Web browser: Falkon
Falkon is a lightweight and modern web browser that uses QtWebEngine as its rendering engine. QtWebEngine is based on Chromium, which means it supports most of the web standards and technologies that are used by popular websites. Falkon has a simple and intuitive user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as tabs, bookmarks, history, downloads, etc.
Some of the advantages of Falkon are:
- Fast and smooth: Falkon is fast and smooth even on low-end or old hardware. It consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than other web browsers such as Firefox or Chrome.
- Customizable: Falkon allows you to customize your web browsing experience by changing the theme, wallpaper, icons, fonts, colors, etc. of your user interface. You can also use extensions or plugins to add more functionality or features to your web browser.
- Secure: Falkon has some security features that protect your web browsing from malware or hacking attacks. You can use tools such as ad blocker, pop-up blocker, cookie manager, password manager, etc. to enhance your security and privacy on the web.
Some of the disadvantages of Falkon are:
- Limited compatibility: Falkon may not be compatible with some websites or online services that require specific features or technologies that are not supported by QtWebEngine or Chromium. You may encounter some errors or issues when accessing these websites or online services.
- Limited support: Falkon may not have as much support or documentation as other web browsers such as Firefox or Chrome. You may have difficulty finding answers or solutions to your problems or questions when using Falkon.
Some of the alternatives to Falkon are:
- Firefox: Firefox is a popular and powerful web browser that uses Gecko as its rendering engine. Gecko supports most of the web standards and technologies that are used by popular websites. Firefox has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as tabs, bookmarks, history, downloads, etc.
- Chrome: Chrome is a popular and powerful web browser that uses Blink as its rendering engine. Blink is based on Chromium, which means it supports most of the web standards and technologies that are used by popular websites. Chrome has a simple and minimalist user interface that provides access to some features such as tabs, bookmarks, history, downloads, etc.
To install Falkon on your system, you can use the following command:
Code:
sudo apt install falkon
Code:
falkon
Trojita is a lightweight and fast email client that uses IMAP as its protocol. IMAP is a protocol that allows you to access and manage your emails from a remote server without downloading them to your local system. Trojita has a simple and clean user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as inbox, sent, drafts, trash, etc.
Some of the advantages of Trojita are:
- Fast and efficient: Trojita is fast and efficient even on low-end or old hardware. It consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than other email clients such as Thunderbird or Evolution.
- Simple and easy: Trojita is simple and easy to use even for beginners. It has a minimal and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features and functions. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform various actions on your emails.
- Secure: Trojita has some security features that protect your emails from malware or hacking attacks. You can use tools such as encryption, signing, verification, etc. to enhance your security and privacy on your emails.
Some of the disadvantages of Trojita are:
- Limited functionality: Trojita may not have as much functionality or features as other email clients such as Thunderbird or Evolution. You may not be able to perform some actions or tasks on your emails such as filtering, sorting, searching, etc.
- Limited compatibility: Trojita may not be compatible with some email providers or services that require specific features or technologies that are not supported by IMAP or Trojita. You may encounter some errors or issues when accessing these email providers or services.
Some of the alternatives to Trojita are:
- Thunderbird: Thunderbird is a popular and powerful email client that supports various protocols such as IMAP, POP3, SMTP, etc. Thunderbird has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as inbox, sent, drafts, trash, etc.
- Evolution: Evolution is a popular and powerful email client that supports various protocols such as IMAP, POP3, SMTP, etc. Evolution has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as inbox, sent, drafts, trash, etc.
To install Trojita on your system, you can use the following command:
Code:
sudo apt install trojita
Code:
trojita
GDebi Package Installer is a lightweight and simple office suite that allows you to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. It uses the OpenDocument Format (ODF) as its default file format, which is an open and standard format that is compatible with most of the other office suites. GDebi Package Installer has a simple and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features such as fonts, styles, tables, charts, etc.
Some of the advantages of GDebi Package Installer are:
- Fast and efficient: GDebi Package Installer is fast and efficient even on low-end or old hardware. It consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than other office suites such as LibreOffice or Microsoft Office.
- Simple and easy: GDebi Package Installer is simple and easy to use even for beginners. It has a minimal and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features and functions. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform various actions on your files.
- Compatible: GDebi Package Installer is compatible with most of the other office suites and file formats that are used by popular applications such as LibreOffice, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, etc. You can easily open, edit, save, and export files in various formats such as ODF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, PDF, etc.
Some of the disadvantages of GDebi Package Installer are:
- Limited functionality: GDebi Package Installer may not have as much functionality or features as other office suites such as LibreOffice or Microsoft Office. You may not be able to perform some actions or tasks on your files such as advanced formatting, editing, reviewing, etc.
- Limited support: GDebi Package Installer may not have as much support or documentation as other office suites such as LibreOffice or Microsoft Office. You may have difficulty finding answers or solutions to your problems or questions when using GDebi Package Installer.
Some of the alternatives to GDebi Package Installer are:
- LibreOffice: LibreOffice is a popular and powerful office suite that supports various file formats and features. LibreOffice has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as fonts, styles, tables, charts, etc.
- Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office is a popular and powerful office suite that supports various file formats and features. Microsoft Office has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as fonts, styles, tables, charts, etc.
To install GDebi Package Installer on your system, you can use the following command:
Code:
sudo apt install gdebi
Code:
gdebi
Parole Media Player is a lightweight and simple media player that allows you to play audio and video files on your system. It supports most of the common media formats and codecs that are used by popular media files. Parole Media Player has a simple and clean user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as play, pause, stop, volume, playlist, etc.
Some of the advantages of Parole Media Player are:
- Fast and smooth: Parole Media Player is fast and smooth even on low-end or old hardware. It consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than other media players such as VLC or SMPlayer.
- Simple and easy: Parole Media Player is simple and easy to use even for beginners. It has a minimal and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features and functions. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform various actions on your media files.
- Compatible: Parole Media Player is compatible with most of the other media players and media formats that are used by popular applications such as VLC, SMPlayer, MPV, etc. You can easily open, play, and control your media files in various formats such as MP3, MP4, AVI, MKV, etc.
Some of the disadvantages of Parole Media Player are:
- Limited functionality: Parole Media Player may not have as much functionality or features as other media players such as VLC or SMPlayer. You may not be able to perform some actions or tasks on your media files such as subtitles, equalizer, effects, etc.
- Limited support: Parole Media Player may not have as much support or documentation as other media players such as VLC or SMPlayer. You may have difficulty finding answers or solutions to your problems or questions when using Parole Media Player.
Some of the alternatives to Parole Media Player are:
- VLC: VLC is a popular and powerful media player that supports various media formats and features. VLC has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as subtitles, equalizer, effects, etc.
- SMPlayer: SMPlayer is a popular and powerful media player that supports various media formats and features. SMPlayer has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as subtitles, equalizer, effects, etc.
To install Parole Media Player on your system, you can use the following command:
Code:
sudo apt install parole
Code:
parole
Thunar File Manager is a lightweight and fast file manager that allows you to browse and manage files and folders on your system. It supports most of the common file operations and features that are used by popular file managers. Thunar File Manager has a simple and elegant user interface that provides easy access to the most common features such as copy, move, rename, delete, compress, extract, etc.
Some of the advantages of Thunar File Manager are:
- Fast and efficient: Thunar File Manager is fast and efficient even on low-end or old hardware. It consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than other file managers such as Nautilus or Dolphin.
- Simple and easy: Thunar File Manager is simple and easy to use even for beginners. It has a minimal and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features and functions. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform various actions on your files and folders.
- Customizable: Thunar File Manager allows you to customize and personalize your file browsing experience by changing the theme, wallpaper, icons, fonts, colors, etc. of your user interface. You can also use plugins or extensions to add more functionality or features to your file manager.
Some of the disadvantages of Thunar File Manager are:
- Limited functionality: Thunar File Manager may not have as much functionality or features as other file managers such as Nautilus or Dolphin. You may not be able to perform some actions or tasks on your files and folders such as preview, search, tag, etc.
- Limited support: Thunar File Manager may not have as much support or documentation as other file managers such as Nautilus or Dolphin. You may have difficulty finding answers or solutions to your problems or questions when using Thunar File Manager.
Some of the alternatives to Thunar File Manager are:
- Nautilus: Nautilus is a popular and powerful file manager that supports various file operations and features. Nautilus has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as preview, search, tag, etc.
- Dolphin: Dolphin is a popular and powerful file manager that supports various file operations and features. Dolphin has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as preview, search, tag, etc.
To install Thunar File Manager on your system, you can use the following command:
Code:
sudo apt install thunar
Code:
thunar
Best tools for a lightweight Linux distro
Tools are software programs that perform specific functions or tasks on your system. They usually have a command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to interact with them using your keyboard and mouse. Some of the most common types of tools that you may need or want to use on your system are:
- Installation tool: An installation tool is a tool that allows you to install a lightweight Linux distro on your system. It usually has a GUI or a text-based wizard that guides you through the steps and options of the installation process.
- Customization tool: A customization tool is a tool that allows you to customize and personalize your system by changing various settings and options of your system configuration and appearance.
- Security tool: A security tool is a tool that allows you to secure and protect your system from malware or hacking attacks by using various methods and techniques such as encryption, firewall, antivirus, etc.
- Performance tool: A performance tool is a tool that allows you to improve and optimize your system performance and efficiency by using various methods and techniques such as tweaking, cleaning, monitoring, etc.
Here are some of the best tools that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for each of these categories:
Installation tool: Rufus USB Creator
Rufus USB Creator is a lightweight and simple tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive that contains the installation image of a lightweight Linux distro. You can use this USB drive to install the lightweight Linux distro on your system or to try it out in live mode without installing it on your hard drive.
Some of the advantages of Rufus USB Creator are:
- Fast and easy: Rufus USB Creator is fast and easy to use even for beginners. It has a minimal and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features and functions. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform various actions on your USB drive.
- CompatiblePortable: Rufus USB Creator is portable and does not require installation on your system. You can run it from any USB drive or any other removable media.
Some of the disadvantages of Rufus USB Creator are:
- Limited functionality: Rufus USB Creator may not have as much functionality or features as other installation tools such as UNetbootin or Etcher. You may not be able to perform some actions or tasks on your USB drive such as formatting, partitioning, verifying, etc.
- Limited support: Rufus USB Creator may not have as much support or documentation as other installation tools such as UNetbootin or Etcher. You may have difficulty finding answers or solutions to your problems or questions when using Rufus USB Creator.
Some of the alternatives to Rufus USB Creator are:
- UNetbootin: UNetbootin is a popular and powerful tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive that contains the installation image of a lightweight Linux distro. UNetbootin has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as formatting, partitioning, verifying, etc.
- Etcher: Etcher is a popular and powerful tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive that contains the installation image of a lightweight Linux distro. Etcher has a simple and elegant user interface that provides access to some features such as verifying, flashing, etc.
To install Rufus USB Creator on your system, you can download it from its official website https://rufus.ie/.
To launch Rufus USB Creator on your system, you can run it from the downloaded file.
Customization tool: LXQt Configuration Center
LXQt Configuration Center is a lightweight and simple tool that allows you to customize and personalize your LXQt desktop environment by changing various settings and options of your system configuration and appearance. LXQt is one of the most popular and user-friendly desktop environments for lightweight Linux distros such as Lubuntu, LXLE, SparkyLinux, etc.
Some of the advantages of LXQt Configuration Center are:
- Fast and smooth: LXQt Configuration Center is fast and smooth even on low-end or old hardware. It consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than other customization tools such as GNOME Control Center or KDE System Settings.
- Simple and easy: LXQt Configuration Center is simple and easy to use even for beginners. It has a minimal and intuitive user interface that provides access to the most common features and functions. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform various actions on your system settings and options.
- Customizable: LXQt Configuration Center allows you to customize and personalize your system by changing the theme, wallpaper, icons, fonts, colors, etc. of your desktop environment. You can also use tools such as Openbox Configuration Manager, LXQt Appearance Configuration, etc. to change the behavior and appearance of your system.
Some of the disadvantages of LXQt Configuration Center are:
- Limited functionality: LXQt Configuration Center may not have as much functionality or features as other customization tools such as GNOME Control Center or KDE System Settings. You may not be able to perform some actions or tasks on your system settings and options such as advanced settings, backup, restore, etc.
- Limited support: LXQt Configuration Center may not have as much support or documentation as other customization tools such as GNOME Control Center or KDE System Settings. You may have difficulty finding answers or solutions to your problems or questions when using LXQt Configuration Center.
Some of the alternatives to LXQt Configuration Center are:
- GNOME Control Center: GNOME Control Center is a popular and powerful tool that allows you to customize and personalize your GNOME desktop environment by changing various settings and options of your system configuration and appearance. GNOME Control Center has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as advanced settings, backup, restore, etc.
- KDE System Settings: KDE System Settings is a popular and powerful tool that allows you to customize and personalize your KDE Plasma desktop environment by changing various settings and options of your system configuration and appearance. KDE System Settings has a rich and flexible user interface that provides access to many features such as advanced settings, backup, restore, etc.
To install LXQt Configuration Center on your system, you can use the following command:
Code:
sudo apt install lxqt-config
Code:
lxqt-config
Conclusion
In this article, we have listed and described some of the best applications and tools that you can use on a lightweight Linux distro for various tasks and purposes. We have also mentioned their advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives. We have also provided some tips and tricks on how to install and use them on your system.
We hope you have found this article useful and informative. If you are interested in learning more about lightweight Linux distros or other related topics, you can visit our website https://thelinuxforum.com/ where you can find more articles, guides, tutorials, reviews, comparisons, etc.
You can also join our forum where you can interact with other Linux enthusiasts, ask questions, share your opinions and experiences, get support and guidance, and contribute to the development and community of Linux.
Thank you for reading and have a great day! ?
FAQs
Q: What is a lightweight Linux distro?
A: A lightweight Linux distro is a Linux distribution that is designed to run smoothly and efficiently on hardware with limited resources. It usually has low system requirements and consumes less CPU, RAM, disk space, and battery power than a normal or heavy Linux distro.
Q: Why use a lightweight Linux distro?
A: There are many reasons to use a lightweight Linux distro over a normal or heavy one. Some of them are:
- You have an old or low-end computer that cannot run a normal or heavy Linux distro well
- You want to improve the performance and responsiveness of your computer
- You want to save more system resources for running other applications or tasks
- You want to increase the security and privacy of your computer
- You want to customize and optimize your computer to suit your preferences and needs
- You want to extend the lifespan of your computer by giving it a new purpose or function
Q: How to choose a lightweight Linux distro for your needs?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question as different lightweight Linux distros may have different strengths and weaknesses. However, some general factors to consider when choosing a lightweight Linux distro for your needs are:
- Hardware compatibility: Check whether your hardware is compatible with the distro that you want to use
- Software availability: Check whether the software that you want to use is available on the distro that you want to use
- User interface: Choose a user interface that is easy to use, intuitive, and appealing to you
- Support: Choose a distro that has active and friendly support channels such as website, forum, wiki, chat, email, etc.