Are there too many Linux applications that do the same thing?

There was a recent post on the Ubuntu Forums about how much time and effort is wasted by developers who create a fork of an existing project, instead of contributing directly to the original project.

Here is my reply (with some extra content):
I agree that the large number of Linux applications serving the same purpose can be confusing sometimes, especially to new users. That is why Ubuntu comes with only the "best of breed" applications pre-installed, so new users will not have to guess which application to use. (Of course, you can easily install your own favorite applications.) Before Ubuntu, Linux distros would come with several applications installed that performed the same function. I found this frustrating!

I also agree that it is beneficial for developers to pool their resources by working together on the same project. At the same time, it is beneficial for them to be able to create new applications that meet their needs. This gives users the option to choose the application that they like best.

Perhaps what you might be looking for is a list of the best applications for each specific purpose. Does anyone know of such a list? I don't mean a list of every application, I am talking about a list of the BEST applications for each purpose. The best thing I have found so far is the Add/Remove Application tool in Ubuntu.

For example, if you are looking for the best diagram editor, you can use this tool to quickly find Dia and install it in a few clicks. You don't need to Google "linux diagram editor" and then evaluate each one to determine that Dia is the most popular application for that function.

This is just another way that Ubuntu is doing the right thing and making desktop linux for the masses easier than ever before.

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