Here are a few common tasks for most students and academics, along
with the programs I recommend for them. All are free (as in speech)
unless stated otherwise. Not all of these are things I use daily, and
some aren't even my favorite in their categories, but they are pieces of
software that I always recommend highly.
Calculator/CAS: Sagemath
- Built on top of Python
- Good for quick calculations and detailed computations
- Easy symbolic computation
- Has convenient representations of most common algebraic
structures
Text editing: Vim
- Modal text editor
- Highly customizable
- Dedicated online community
- Wildly efficient (once you get used to it)
- Neovim is a great
(and very compatible) “modern” alternative
Reading PDFs: Zathura
- Lightweight
- Vim-like commands/navigation
- Distraction-free experience
Annotating PDFs (drawing): Xournal++
- Very easy to use
- Provides basic tools to draw, overlay text, or create shapes on a new
or existing PDF
- Works great in lecture environments
Although these aren't quite everyday tasks, here are some more
recommendations:
Operating System: OpenSUSE
Leap
- Great for beginners
- Stable
- Easy to install and maintain
- Long term support (at least the next two years for Leap 16.0)
Tablet OS: LineageOS
- Easy install
- Supports lots of devices
- Great on "bargain" devices left behind by time
- Just works
Here are some tablet applications I recommend. They definitely run on
Android devices, and may or may not run on other devices. They can be
found on F-Droid
and some may be on the regular app stores as well.
Whiteboard: Linwood Butterfly
- Little configuration required
- Dark mode support
- Works well for quick and for extended thoughts
- Great for brainstorming/outlining proofs :)
Note Taking: Saber
- Easy to use
- Dark mode support
- Easy to convert notes to PDF