On more than one occasion my effort to find my way in this new world has introduced me to software that, although established among the Linux community for quite some time, I had never heard of. Clearly I need to consider other sources as I build a knowledge base more applicable to this landscape, and was hoping people would share there "go to spots," with me.
For deciding what is worth installing, I usually start with the boring sources first: the Zorin/Ubuntu docs, the package page in Software, and the project's own docs or GitHub/GitLab issue tracker. Then check a few simple signals: is it still maintained, is it packaged from a source you trust, what permissions does it ask for, and can you remove it cleanly if you dislike it. For discovery, OMG! Ubuntu, It's FOSS, Linux Experiment, and forum threads here are useful, but I would still verify against the upstream project before installing random apps.
For Zorin specifically I’d start boring: the built-in Software app / Ubuntu repos first, then Flathub, and the project’s own site or GitHub/GitLab page if it is a small tool. For learning what is worth trying, the Zorin forum, Ask Ubuntu, ArchWiki, GNOME Apps/KDE Apps, and Privacy Guides are usually better signals than random “top 10 Linux apps” blogs.
When evaluating an app, I’d check last release date, open issues, install source, permissions (Flatpak especially), and whether it is doing one job well instead of replacing half the desktop. That saves a lot of cleanup later.
Both are pretty much what I do. Anything outside of the software store I don't touch until I check with someone mirevknowledgeable than myself.
Maybe it's juat me, but it seems like an awfuk lot of software has VERY LITTLE in the way of documentation to work with.
I was twlling someone earlier rhat if there was a r e alkt good "Windows Refugee Course," I would take it! Lol
I also found out there's some sort of Linux clib here in town, so I'm going to see what that's like.
A lot I suspect will depend on what you use any GNU/Linux for.
I think Gaming can be the most challenging issue when it comes to migrating gamers.
I was extremely dissapointed when the BLR servers were turned off for PlayStation.
I then discovered a group of fans had created BLRevive, using the original Windows application, using it as a game not in the Steam Library. I tried it in Zorin and other distributions and Windows 10 and it just crashed on entering a map on a new game launch so have given up.
I don't give much time to gaming on GNU/Linux apart from Solitaire (Klondike) and Battle for Wesnoth 1.18.
In terms of mainstream applications I have covered in a section at the end of the Unofficial Manual for Zorin 18 Core. Not all Software is present in the Software Channel, that is why I encourage users to take advantage of Synaptic Package Manager.
For example, a twin-pane file explorer built for KDE, Krusader, used to be in gnome-software (Software) on Zorin but now is only available via Synaptic Package Manager.
For Office Applications, I only recommend two, LibreOffice, and a commercial product, SoftMaker Office.
If looking to install third party apps, use GDebi package installer. This checks that all dependencies are present before installing and if once installed you are not happy, you can also use GDebi to uninstall the offending application.
Lastly, regarding tarballs, I include in the manual a procedure to check the contents for security, a guide created by 'Blackwolf' who was a moderator on the forum of a now defunct distribution, Ultimate Edition Oz.
That's interesting about Krusader. I tested it too. In Zorin 17, it shows up in GNOME Software, but not in Zorin 18. However, there is a Krusader APT package for Ubuntu Noble. I didn't realize that not all normal gui packages are displayed in GNOME Software. Sometimes I noticed that for cli tools (e.g. xsct) or dependency packages, but krusader is a normal file manager.
Personally, I don't really like GNOME Software for that reason, so I usually use Synaptic or the terminal.
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