Top 7 Must Have Free Tools on Ubuntu for Developers
The world of technology has introduced us to several cool apps and cloud services that make our work, and our lives, easier. For web developers using Ubuntu, whether creating a huge program or small application, they oftentimes use different web tools simultaneously. Handy tools are very much in need for them to work faster and more efficiently. Even though some of these are just mini tools, they can have a huge benefit in a long term basis.
Web team leader Franco Sioquim utilizes Ubuntu for web development and these awesome handy tools greatly helped him in creating cool websites.
7. Zim Desktop Wiki
Zim Desktop Wiki is a graphical text editor that lets you bring wiki to your desktop. You can create different pages and link them to other pages. You can perform simple formatting and even add attachments and images. All pages are stored in an organized folder that are linked with other pages. There are various plugins you can use such as task list manager, equation editor, tray icon and a calculator. Zim is very helpful in keeping an archive of your notes, organize task lists and drafting emails and blog articles.
6. Shutter
Shutter is a free open-source screenshot program for Linux that lets you take a screenshot of a specific area. There is no need to print screen the entire screen. You can apply effects to it, draw to it or upload the image to a hosting site all in one window.
5. Conky
Developers usually run multiple applications and if our computer isn’t fast enough, we end up being annoyed with the speed and sometimes, crashes. This tool really comes in handy.
Conky is a graphical user interface that displays system information on your desktop and allows you to manage Conky configurations. With this tool, you can easily enable and disable modules such as cpu or disk usage and memory. Conky also comes with different themes.
4. Guake Terminal
Having trouble opening multiple terminal sessions and alt-tabbing here and there? Guake is a very accessible drop-down terminal for GNOME Desktop Environment (Wikipedia). It appears and disappears by pressing a single key. Guake’s design is inspired from consoles in computer games such as Quake.
Compared to other terminals, Guake can be opened with just one key. It provides different tabs for different terminals. Installation is fast and easy. Guake supports hotkeys, tabs, etc.
3. Nitro
Nitro lets you organize your tasks easily and effectively. There are tons of tools out there that might be better but I prefer this one due to its simplicity. It features a simple and awesome interface that lets you sort out tasks and prioritize important ones. It also includes Unity badge support, magic sorting and customizable themes. You can also sync Nitro to your Dropbox and Ubuntu One account. Nitro is an effective and easier task management tool. It has a basic command of letting you check and uncheck tasks, create due dates and has no unnecessary toolbars to use.
2. Cuttlefish
Have you experienced re-opening 20 applications every time you restart your machine? It’s always frustrating. Cuttlefish is a powerful tool which lets you set simple rules for your applications. The basic concept of this tool is based on Newton’s idea that “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. In this case, Cuttlefish automatically executes actions when specific events are triggered.
Cuttlefish makes things easier for you to control your applications. There is no need to stop an application manually to start working on another application. For example, you can unlock your computer when connecting a USB device or change your default printer according to your wireless network connection.
1. Gnome Pie
Gnome Pie is fun, interactive and user-friendly. It lets you browse your applications with just a simple hotkey or mouse click. It is an application launcher for GNOME that allows you to bind different applications into a ring. Inspired by OPie written for the World of Warcraft game, a Gnome Pie is composed of multiple “pies” that are set by a keyboard shortcut.
Each of these “pies” play a role: category of applications, media control, maximize and minimize a focused window, and so on. You can also create and delete “pies” according to your preference.
Bonus: Clementine
If you’re the kind of person who loves to listen to music while you’re coding, this is something you might like. Clementine is a modern music player that easily organizes your music library. This popular music tool lets you stream music from your favorite internet radio stations. It comes with an easy-to-use interface that lets you search and organize your music playlist.