I’ve been using Linux for longer than I can remember. Over those years I have written a number of “top 5″ lists for various publications. So I thought it would be fun to share with the Ghacks readers my “top 5 top 5s”.

Top 5 distributions

Ubuntu: Although it is not my desktop distribution of choice, it is my “go-to” distribution in just about any situation. And the only reason it is not my desktop distribution is because of the next entry.

Elive: Elive combines my two favorite desktop tools – Enlightenment and Compiz. Without Elive, these two would not work together.

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Top 5 applications

1. OpenOffice: Let’s face it, without OpenOffice Linux, as a whole, wouldn’t stand a chance as a desktop distribution.

2. Firefox: Although Chrome is my weapon of choice, it doesn’t always cut it. And Firefox is one of the most successful open source applications of all time.

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Top 5 desktops