Setting Expectations: Software on Linux

New to Linux and confused about software? In this video, we set clear expectations about software on Linux — before frustration sets in. Welcome to Matching Brackets. I’m Joe, and in this video we talk honestly about one of the biggest surprises for people new to Linux: you can’t use the same proprietary software you may be used to, like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. For many newcomers, this comes as a shock — and it’s one of the main reasons people abandon Linux early on. But the reality is more nuanced. Linux offers powerful free and open-source alternatives that can produce the same results. The challenge isn’t capability — it’s learning something new. This video is about setting realistic expectations, understanding the Linux software ecosystem, and approaching the switch with the right mindset. 📌 Topics covered in this video: - Why some popular proprietary apps aren’t available on Linux - Open-source alternatives to Microsoft Office and Adobe software - Adjusting your workflow when switching to Linux - Why learning new tools is part of the Linux experience - How Linux software compares in real-world use If you’re thinking about switching to Linux — or already have and feel stuck — this video will help you understand what to expect and how to move forward. SOFTWARE MENTIONED WITH LINKS: OFFICE SUITES: Libreoffice (https://www.libreoffice.org/) OnlyOffice (https://www.onlyoffice.com/) CREATIVE SUITE SOFTWARE: GIMP (https://www.gimp.org/) Inkscape (https://inkscape.org/) Scribus (https://www.scribus.net/) Shotcut (https://www.shotcut.org/) Kdenlive (https://kdenlive.org/) DaVinci Resolve (https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve) SPECIALTY SOFTWARE FreeCAD (https://www.freecad.org/) Homebank (https://www.gethomebank.org/en/index.php) GNUCash (https://www.gnucash.org/) WEB BROWSERS: Firefox (https://www.firefox.com/en-US/) Chrome (https://www.google.com/chrome/) Edge (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/?form=MA13FJ) Brave (https://brave.com/) Vivaldi (https://vivaldi.com/) LibreWolf (https://librewolf.net/) TOR Browser (https://www.torproject.org/)