Downloading Internet Tools
Here’s where being a Linux user has some disadvantages: standard plugins and programs are little behind the main game. The Flash Player, which is essentially necessary for browsing the Web, is a bit buggy, or at least not as fully featured as the Windows version. This means I sometimes encounter problems, for instance in pausing YouTube videos or doing various other things. In fact, this is the only real problem I face as a result of choosing Linux over the commercial operating systems.
Many Linux users are supporters of Free Software (”free as in speech, not beer”: “because the user is free”) . Many advocate only using free software, which would preclude the use of the Flash plugin, Adobe Reader and other proprietary software, including Opera (my favourite browser). As such, you’ll find free (usually released under the GNU Public Licence) software as substitutes: eg Gnash for Flash Player and Evince for Adobe Reader. I actually think it’s practical to use the proprietary standard versions in many cases.
For this task, I downloaded and installed RealPlayer, which is based on the OpenSource Helix Player. Since then, I’ve enjoyed the relaxing sounds of ABC’s Dig Radio.
