AUTOHOTKEY is a great little programme for writing macros - I use it to log in to my various email accounts, to access my online bank accounts, to type my address etc. on letters. The compiled programme is on all my computers, although the source code is kept seperately on a USB stick. I also use it write programmes to move the mouse pointer to specific points on the screen, which is of great help to a visually impaired friend.
I use Ubuntu, and also have a super ASUS EEE runnung on Linux. Managed to get VOIP Stunt working on both, and if I could get the equivalent of AUTOHOTKEY which was not too complicated to install, I'd be ready to ditch Windows.
Maybe this has already been asked for - sorry I didn't have time to read the hundreds of replies you've already posted.....

More in the patches and drivers than programs, but, ONE: There is still a need for Broadcom43xx soft/firmware that doesn't take an expert a day and a half to build- like maybe a set of self-building packages? TWO: How about including support for Elantech touchpads in the new kernels? THREE: I've been using Linux exclusively for about five year, and have yet to see a Windoesn't program actually run under Wine. Any encouraging words there?

For software, my vote goes to hardware drivers. Not very specific I know, but from my experience it is the most ginormous void in the Linux world, with main stream games coming in at a close second.

I have been able to find the software for everything else that I have needed. However, I think that there needs to be more options available for professional quality Desktop Publishing.

Multimedia Suite
 

I think we really need a full multimedia SUITE like NERO puts out for windoze (Burning, music, video, TV, and backup)
With so many different players, (and proprietory codecs), the situation is very confusing.
For a newbie, especially, it would be great to install one suite (like OpenOffice has), and have everything ready to work together. (The proprietory codecs will probably have to be in a separate package, but ALL in one package is the idea)
Anybody?

Autohotkey runs pretty well, though it only controls Windows apps,
I think.

http://appdb.winehq.org lists about 1500 applications as
"platinum" and another 1500 applications as "gold".
Perhaps you haven't tried a recent version of Wine;
as of 1.0 is getting quite a bit better.

Still can't run Adobe CS3 apps yet, though.

I should like to see two of the programs that I used on OS/2 ported. They are Describe word processor, and MESA spreadsheet.

This is probably because I have not yet learned all of the Open Office equivalents and shortcuts. Describe did have versions for OS/2, Win95, Win3.x, and Win NT. Any version could open the files from any other version, although Win3.x did lose the long file names.

This is probably a pipe dream because the file filters would also have to be ported and updated and it is probably just not worth the trouble for the limited number of former users.

As a simple to use and small office suite, I would suggest obtaining and porting New Deal Office suite to linux as an office application for the OLPC and other limited resource computers. It's only about 10 MB, and the last time I used it, the file names were limited to only 36 characters. This isn't much now, but my daughters loved it when they used it in college.

Quicken (NOLO) Will Maker
 

I searched this forum, but no one seems to have mentioned Will Maker. I have found replacement (or when no replacement, the program can work on WINE) for all my software applications EXCEPT for a Will making program. I am getting ready to move off Vista :eek: (finally!)and install Kubuntu :Pengy:. I decided I will just have to do one last update of my Will and then any future changes will have to be manual documents.

It would not necessarily have to be Quicken Will Maker. I just want a program with the will making function/feature working on Linux.

A voice to text program.
A small video editor.
Strategy games (like age of empires).

Magix. Linux really needs a decent video editor.

Canon Scanner Software for Mandriva
 

I have a Canoscan 3200f scanner. There are no compatible drivers or alternatives to make the scanner work. Nothing exists in Sane. What a pity that the only way I can use it is to Restart the computer and use Win XP to scan pictures or documents. I also would like a really good OCR programme for Mandriva while we thinking about it all.

I would enjoy something like Packet Tracer (a program from Cisco used for simulation of complex networks).

PT runs on Wine but is unstable.

Packet Tracer 5 has Linux version
 

Lucky you. Version 5 was released last month and
has a native Linux version:

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/ne...ketTracer.html

If anyone still needs to run the Windows version on Wine for some reason,
the place to go for wine support is the app's appdb entry,
http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...ation&iId=3352

Nice, I thought it was still Windows-only.

And also we expect a major step in daw area.
A friendly environment in audio production.
There are some improvments, but none of them at THAT crucial level.

And of course the drivers problem.
Still exists. For example my Lexmark X2550 printer has no Linux drivers.
In a way it's my fault, but...

Most Needed
 

Well, right now the MOST needed in LINUX is a good solid Audio Recording/Editing solution... primarily this means getting Linux to straighten out its sound system. PULSE audio is my biggest thorn in side now because of its newness and lack of support.

Second Linux doesn't have a REALLY strong Video editing solution. Sure, some apps are coming along well (cinelera, others...), but they just don't match audition and others yet.

Third, while not an app of mine, Photoshop must come due to its large user base. I am a Gimp person now and it meets all my needs and more.

Fourth, while not an app, will mention we need rock solid multiple monitor support in Linux. I recently got dual extended desktop working, but it is limitted to 1024/768 on each due to xorg limits.

Finally, we need rock solid mobile device support for our phones (palm, blackberry, etc...)