Your Simple Linux Desktop
SimplyMEPIS is for anyone who wants a complete desktop system that is easy to try, easy to install and easy to use. SimplyMEPIS 3.3.2 will be released in September 2005. The SimplyMEPIS bootable CD is compressed to be like 3 regular CDs. It contains over 900 packages. Once you try it, you'll see why MEPIS users say, "SimplyMEPIS, Simply Amazing."
The following pages contain information about the applications that come pre-installed with SimplyMEPIS. They are listed by category, and each category has a list of the MEPIS apps, a brief description, and a comparable Microsoft Windows program where applicable. These applications can be found in the K Menu, which is equivalent to the MS-Windows Start Menu.
SimplyMEPIS comes with several popular games including card games such as Solitaire and Freecell. For more information, click on the links below.
Arcade Style Games
Frozen Bubble: Players shoot bubbles into groups of the same color bubbles to cause them to pop. Features 100 single-player levels and a two-player mode.
KSirtet: A Tetris-style game in which players attempt to fit falling pieces together to form full lines.
Planet Penguin Racer: A 3-D racing game in which players guide Tux, the Linux mascot, down the snowy hill, avoiding trees and rocks. Works best with 3D acceleration enabled.
Board Games
Penguin Taipei: A game in which the player attempts to remove all the tiles by matching two at a time. Only tiles without another tile on top and at least one side without a tile next to it, can be removed.
Penguin Taipei Editor: Allows you to create your own layout for Taipei.
Card Games
Penguin Canfield: A solitaire type card game.
Penguin Freecell: A solitaire type card game.
Penguin Golf: A solitaire type card game.
Penguin Solitaire: Traditional solitaire card game.
Penguin Thornq: A solitaire type card game.
Tactics & Strategy
Penguin Mastermind: Player attempts to match the hidden color sequence with a set number of moves and hints for each guess.
Penguin Merlin: A game in which the player attempts to have all 9 spaces on the board showing the Tux logo.
Penguin Minesweeper: The player clicks various blocks on the board in an attempt to discover the location of hidden mines without setting any off.
Penguin Pegged: The player attempts to remove all pegs from the board except one.
SimplyMEPIS comes with the following games pre-installed. Synaptic Package Manager can be used to download additional games.
| Type of Game | MEPIS Application |
| Arcade | Frozen Bubble |
| KSirtet | |
| Planetpenguin Racer | |
| Board Games | Penguin Taipei |
| Penguin Taipei Editor | |
| Card Games | Penguin Canfield |
| Penguin Freecell | |
| Penguin Golf | |
| Penguin Solitaire | |
| Penguin Thornq | |
| | |
| Tactics & Strategy | Penguin Mastermind |
| Penguin Merlin | |
| Penguin Minesweeper | |
| Penguin Pegged | |
SimplyMEPIS provides a variety of programs and tools for viewing, creating and editing graphics.
digikam: A digital photo management application that makes it very easy to import, organize and manipulate digital photos. Digikam has an easy user interface which allows you to connect a digital camera, preview images and download and/or delete them.
GIMP: The GNU Image Manipulation Program allows you to draw, paint, edit and create images and more.
KdeprintFax: Utility for sending faxes.
KFax: Utility for viewing faxes.
Kooka: Utility for scanning images.
KPaint: A simple paint program allows you to create images and do minor editing.
Kuickshow: An image browser/viewer that also performs slideshows. Supports many image formats including jpg, gif, tiff, png, bmp, psd, xpm, xbm, and pbm.
showfoto: An image viewer that also performs minor editing.
KColorChooser: A utility that makes it easy to choose colors.
KColorEdit: A color palette editor, can be used to choose and name colors.
KIconEdit: This editor makes it easy to create and edit icons.
KMagnifier: A screen magnifier tool that can be used to magnify part of the screen.
KRuler: A screen ruler that supports inches, centimeters and pixels. Also mesaures color.
KSnapshot: An applet for taking screenshots of the whole desktop or a single windows.
| MEPIS Application |
Windows Program |
| GIMP Image Editor | Photoshop |
| Kpaint | MS Paint |
| Kuickshow | ACDC |
SimplyMEPIS includes several packages to make it easy for you to connect to and browse the Internet, set-up and check Email, and chat.
Akregator: Feed reader program allows you to quickly browse internet feeds.
Azureus: A BitTorrent client, it offers multiple torrent download, queuing/priority systems, start/stop seeding options and instant access to information about your torrents.
Gaim: Instant messaging client capable of using AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, IRC, Jabber, Napster, Zephyr and Gadu-Gadu all at once.
gFTP: A multithreaded FTP client features simultaneous downloads, resuming of interrupted file transers, file transfer queues, downloading entire directories, FTP and HTTP proxy support, drag-n-drop support and more.
KGet: A download manager which keeps all your downloads in one dialog and allows transfers to be paused, resumed, queued or scheduled.
KMail: Email client that supports IMAP, POP3, multiple accounts, mail filtering and sorting, PGP/GnuPG privacy and inline attachments.
Konqueror: Advanced file manager, web browser and document viewer.
Mozilla Firefox: Redesigned Mozilla web browser previously known as Firebird and Phoenix.
Pan: Newsreader loosely based on Agent and Gravity, also supports offline newsreading, sophisticated filtering, multiple connections and more.
XChatIRC: Graphical IRC Client.
Camstream: Collection of tools for webcams and other video devices.
Java Web Start 1.4: Java web tool.
KPPP: Modem dialer and ppp frontend, it automates the dialing in process to your ISP while letting you monitor the entire process. Also allows for interactive script generation and network setup.
PPTP: Client for the proprietary Microsoft Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, PPTP. Allows connection to a PPTP based VPN as used by employers and some cable and ADSL service providers.
Remotedesktop Client: Client for Windows NT/2000 Terminal Server capable of natively speaking it Remote Desktop Protocol in order to present the user's NT/2000 desktop.
Remote Desktop Connection: Graphical client for the rfb protocol used by VNC. Can also connect to Windows Terminal Servers using RDP.
Skype: Free internet telephone includes conference calling for up to five groups, global directory, customization, mobility and multiple Skype accounts on one PC.
ADSL/PPPoE configuration: Package that allows you to connect to ADSL internet service providers that use PPPoE.
KWiFi Manager: Wireless LAN manager provides information about your current connection and supports every wavelan card that uses the wireless extensions interface.
Smb4k: A SMB (Windows) share browser that uses Samba software to provide access to SMB shares of the local network neighborhood.
SMB: Allows you to browse Microsoft Windows shares.
Guarddog: A firewall configuration utility that is easy to use, even for those with little knowledge of networking and security.
| MEPIS Application | Windows Program |
| Remotedesktop Client | Remote Desktop, VNC, PC Anywhere |
| Skype | Skype |
| Smb4k | Network Neighborhood |
| Azureus bittorrent | Azureus |
| Gaim Instant Messenger | AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo IM |
| KMail | Outlook Express |
| Konqueror | Internet Explorer |
| Mozilla Firefox | Internet Explorer, Firefox |
| XChat irc | mIRC |
SimplyMEPIS has a variety of multimedia applications preinstalled, including CD burning software, media players, and a program to manage your iPod!
gtkpod: Allows you to upload songs and playlists to your iPod. It supports ID3 tag editing, detects duplicate songs, allows offline modification of the database, and more.
K3b: Fully functional CD burning software with many features.
KMix: Sound mixer applet.
KsCD: Audio CD player.
RealPlayer 10: Media player that plays RealAudio, RealVideo, MP3, 3GPP Video, Flash, SMIL 2.0, JPEG, GIF, PNG, RealPix, RealText and more.
xine: Video media player that plays MPEG1/2, some AVI and Quicktime files, some network streaming methods and disc based media.
XMMS: Audio media player that plays MP3, Audio MPEG, Ogg Vorbis, CD audio, WAV, RAW, AU and more.
Audacity: A multi-track audio editor designed for easy recording, playing and editing digital audio. It features digital effects and spectrum analysis tools. Supports Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV, AIFF, and AU.
KAudioCreator: CD ripper and audio encorder, it can convert WAV files to Ogg Vorbis, MP3 or FLAC. It also searches CDDB to retrieve information about the disk.
Kino Video Editor: Digital video data editor allows you to record, create, edit and play movies recorded with DV camcorders.
xawtv: TV application supports video4linux devices and Xvideo extension.
| MEPIS Application | Windows Program |
| K3b | Roxio/Nero |
| KMix | Volume |
| KsCD | CD Player |
| RealPlayer 10 | RealPlayer |
| XMMS | WinAmp |
SimplyMEPIS has a full office suite, called OpenOffice, preinstalled. With OpenOffice, you have a word processor, spreadsheet program, presentation maker, and more!
OpenOffice saves files in the OpenDocument format, which allows you to access your files from any OpenDocument compliant software. Also, OpenOffice programs can read Microsoft Office file formats and save your work in Microsoft Office format.
SimplyMEPIS also includes other office productivity software, such as a personal organizer, desktop publisher, and Acrobat Reader.
Acrobat Reader: Adobe Reader for Linux is an application that reads PDF files.
Checkbook Tracker: Program that allows you to record and balance checkbook transactions.
KNotes: A program that lets you write sticky notes, which are saved automatically when you exit the program and display when you open the program. Also allows you to print or mail your notes.
Kontact: Personal information manager combines KMail, KOrganizer and KAddressBook into one interface which makes it easy to access mail, scheduling, address book, and other functions.
KOrganizer: A personal organizer, calendar and scheduling program. Supports information interchange with other calendar applications through vCalendar file format.
OpenOffice.org Calc: A powerful, all-purpose spreadsheet application.
OpenOffice.org Draw: A graphics package that allows you to do anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan. You can also create Flash graphics and import graphics in multiple formats, such as BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and WMF.
OpenOffice.org From Template: This package provides several templates for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, business cards and labels.
OpenOffice.org Impress: A program for creating multimedia presentations utilizing 2D and 3D clip art, special effects, animation and high-impact drawing tools.
OpenOffice.org Math: Component for creating and editing equations and formulas which can be used inside Writer, Calc or Impress.
OpenOffice.org Writer: A fully equipped word processor program. Writer allows you to make any of your documents into .pdf files with one-click.
OpenOffice.org Writer/Web: Writer for creating web documents.
Scribus: A desktop page layout program that can be used for creating brochures, newspapers, magazines, newsletters and posters. It has page layout features including precision placing and rotating of text and/or images on a page. When running in KDE, a Drag and Drop feature is enabled.
| | MEPIS Application | Windows Program |
| Acrobat Reader | Acrobat Reader | |
| | Checkbook Tracker | MS Money/Quicken |
| Kontact | Outlook | |
| OpenOffice.org Calc | Excel | |
| OpenOffice.org Impress | PowerPoint | |
| OpenOffice.org Writer | Word | |
| OpenOffice.org Writer/Web | Front Page | |
| Scribus | Pagemaker/Quark Express |
SimplyMEPIS has several programs and tools to help you manage and configure your system. This includes tools for configuring your desktop and menus, monitoring your system usage and network status, adding and removing software packages, and more.
QTParted: A tool for creating partitions on your hard drive.
KCPU Load: A small program that shows CPU usage through one or two configurable diagrams in the system tray.
KDE System Guard: A program that allows you to monitor various statistics about your computer.
KNetLoad Network Monitor: A network meter that shows recent network usage as two configurable diagrams in the system tray, one for incoming and one for outgoing data.
ATI Control: Control panel for machines with ATI Graphics cards.
Configure the Panel: A tool for configuring and customizing the KDE panel.
Desktop Settings Wizard: An easy to use wizard for setting up your KDE desktop.
Menu Editor: A tool for easily editing the K Menu.
NVIDIA Settings: Configuration tool for NVIDIA graphics cards.
Printing Manager: A tool for managing printers and print jobs.
Wallet Management Tool: A program that enables you to keep wallets containing any kind of data stored with encrypted passwords. You can also create a master password to all wallets.
Desktop Sharing: A program that allows you to invite someone at a remote location to watch and even control your desktop.
Info Center: The KDE info center is a central location to find out information about your computer.
K3b Setup: A program that allows you to set the permissions needed by K3b in order to burn CDs, if necessary.
Konsole: A terminal program which provides a commandline interface.
KPackage: A package management tool that allows you to view currently installed packages, available packages and install/remove packages.
KUser: A user/group administration tool.
MEPIS OS Center: A control center that provides extra system level configuration options for network, display, mouse, and more. This feature is unique to MEPIS.
Synaptic Package Manager: A package management tool that enables you to install, upgrade, and remove software packages. Also allows you to view software that is currently installed and search available packages.
| MEPIS Application | Windows Program |
| KDE System Guard | Task Manager |
| Desktop Sharing | Remote Desktop, VNC, PC Anywhere |
| Info Center | System information/Device Manager |
| Konsole command line | Command Prompt |
| KPackage | Add/Remove Programs |
| Synaptic | Add/Remove Programs |
A variety of applications can be found in the Utilities section. Packages include a calculator, alarm, various tools for managing a Palm Pilot or similar device, and more.
Kate: Kate is a multi-document editor based on KWrite. It is a multi-view editor which allows a user to view multiple files for easy reference or simultaneous editing. Kate also works well for editing big files, extensible syntax highlighting, and selectable encoding.
Kedit: Kedit is a simple text editor that can be used with Konqueror for text and configuration file browing. It also works well for creating small plain text documents.
KWrite: KWrite could be considered as a partial alternative to more powerful editors, but also works very well as a simple text editor. It may be best used in conjunction with Konqueror for source file browsing for different languages.
Ark: A program for managing various archive formats. Archives can be viewed, extracted, created and modified. The program can handle various formats such as tar, gzip, bzip2, zip, rar and lha.
KCalc: A multi-function calculator, works in regular mode and scientific mode.
Kdict: A dictionary that searches databases for definitions and also provides synonyms.
KFloppy: Utility for formatting 3.5" and 5.25" floppy disks.
KGpg: Gnu Privacy Guard provides file encryption, file decryption and key management.
Klamav: Clam Anti-Virus.
Klipper: A clipboard utility.
KPilot: An application for synchronizing your Palm Pilot or similar device, similar to the Palm HotSync for MS-Windows.
KAlarm: A utility that allows you to schedule personal timed events and set reminders. The alarm can be a text message, a spoken message or play a sound file.
KCharSelect: A character set selector.
KFontViewer: A simple font viewer.
KJots: A note taker program.
KMouseTool: A mouse manipulation tool that clicks the mouse when the cursor pauses briefly. Designed for those with repetitive strain injuries or for whom pressing buttons hurts.
KPager: A desktop pager program.
KPalmDoc: PalmDoc converter.
KSync: A small application for selecting and syncing files.
KTimer: A timer application. It allows you to execute commands after a certain amount of time and also supports looping commands.
TNEF File Viewer: A tool for unpacking attachments that are encapsulated into the TNEF attachment, which would have required MS Outlook in order to view the attachment.
Useful Tips: A utility that provides tips on using KDE when you log in.
| MEPIS Application | Windows Program |
| KEdit | Notepad |
| KWrite | Wordpad |
| Ark | WinZip |
| KCalc | Calculator |
| Klipper | Clipboard |
This page lists MEPIS directory names and the comparable directory in Microsoft Windows.
| MEPIS | Windows |
| Home (Personal Files) | My Computer |
| Documents | My Documents |
| Music | My Music |
| Pictures | My Pictures |