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.
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 preinstalled. Many more games are included on the MEPIS Extras CDs or as a download from the MEPIS pool.
Arcade Style Games
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.
KSirtet: Tetris-style game in which players attempt to fit falling pieces together to form full lines.
Tuxkart: A 3-D go-kart racing game with several race courses to choose from. Works best with 3D acceleration enabled.
Board Games
KMahjongg: Mahjongg for KDE where players must remove all the tiles, one pair at a time.
Card Games
Patience: A single player card game where you can choose any of 14 games such as Spider Solitaire and Free Cell.
KPoker: A single player video poker game.
Tactics & Strategy
KBattleship: Battleship game that you can play as a single player against the computer or over the network.
SameGame: A game based on the Macintosh SameGame in which a player tries to remove as many stones as possible in the largest groups possible.
KMines: A clone of Minesweeper for KDE.
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.
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 |
| 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.
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.
Gaim: Instant messaging client capable of using AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, IRC, Jabber, Napster, Zephyr and Gadu-Gadu all at once.
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 Thunderbird: Email client from Mozilla. Supports IMAP, POP3, multiple accounts, junk filtering and more.
Mozilla Firefox: Redesigned Mozilla web browser previously known as Firebird and Phoenix.
Pan: A newsreader that supports offline newsreading, sophisticated filtering, multiple connections and many more features for power users and alt.binaries fans.
XChatIRC: Graphical IRC Client.
Camstream: Collection of tools for webcams and other video devices.
Java Web Start 1.4: Java web tool.
Krdc: The KDE graphical client for the rfb protocol, which can be used to connec to Windows Terminal Servers using RDP.
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.
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.
SMB: Allows you to browse Microsoft Windows shares.
Smb4k: SMB (Windows) share browser for KDE.
KNetAttach: Network folder wizard.
Guarddog: A firewall configuration utility that is easy to use, even for those with little knowledge of networking and security.
Klamav: Anti-virus software.
KGpg: Gnu Privacy Guard provides file encryption, file decryption and key management.
| MEPIS Application | Windows Program |
| Skype | Skype |
| SMB | 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 |
| Mozilla Thunderbird | Outlook |
| XChat irc | mIRC |
SimplyMEPIS has a variety of multimedia applications preinstalled, including CD burning software and several media players.
Amarok: Audio player for KDE featuring drag and drop playlist creation, collection-indexing support, album cover support, and much more.
K3b: Fully functional CD burning software with many features.
KsCD: Audio CD player.
Kaffeine: Video media player that supports multiple player engines, letting Kaffeine access CDs, DVDs and network streams.
KPlayer: A multimedia player based on MPlayer.
KMix: Sound mixer applet.
aRts Builder: Synthesizer designer for aRts.
RealPlayer 10: Media player that plays RealAudio, RealVideo, MP3, 3GPP Video, Flash, SMIL 2.0, JPEG, GIF, PNG, RealPix, RealText and more.
KRec: Sound recorder utility for KDE.
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 |
| Amarok | WinAmp |
SimplyMEPIS has a full office suite, OpenOffice 2.0, 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, contact manager, checkbook tracker, desktop publisher, and more!
Checkbook Tracker: Program that allows you to record and balance checkbook transactions.
KPDF: A PDF viewer for KDE.
KOrganizer: A personal organizer, calendar and scheduling program. Supports information interchange with other calendar applications through vCalendar file format.
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.
KGhostView: A PostScript viewer for KDE.
OpenOffice.org Base: The database component for OpenOffice.
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 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.
Scribus: A desktop publishing program for designing brochures and newsletters to laying out newspapers and magazines.
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.
| | MEPIS Application | Windows Program |
| | Checkbook Tracker | MS Money/Quicken |
| Kontact | Outlook | |
| OpenOffice.org Calc | Excel | |
| OpenOffice.org Impress | PowerPoint | |
| OpenOffice.org Writer | Word | |
| KEdit | Notepad | |
| KWrite | Wordpad |
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.
KDE System Guard: A program that allows you to monitor various statistics about your computer.
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.
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 |
| 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.
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.
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 |
| 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 |