| The Best Free Desktop Linux . . . and how to make it better |
(Part 4)
Office
SimplyMEPIS installs OpenOffice by default. OpenOffice is the Open Source project derived from StarOffice. OpenOffice is one of the most successful Open Source projects available. OpenOffice replicates most of the functionality of Microsoft Office and includes many features that are not included in Microsoft Office. One of the best features of OpenOffice is that the file format creates smaller documents than Microsoft Office. OpenOffice can save files in Microsoft Office format. I personally only use OpenOffice and have never had a serious formatting problem. Because OpenOffice is so compatible, it might be worthwhile to keep a copy of SimplyMEPIS with you at all times as a rescue disk. It is possible to boot from CDROM and edit and print files on a computer that might not be able to boot. SimplyMEPIS puts the Printer Administration link on the menu bar. You can set up OpenOffice to print directly to FAX with this tool.
A good place to start getting additional information on OpenOffice is available here. This website will lead to lots of templates and add-ons to make OpenOffice an even better tool.
While OpenOffice is an ideal "workhorse" suite, some people might not need the sophistication of a complete office suite. There are lighter weight programs you can install. For word processing, there is AbiWord. AbiWord is a Microsoft Word clone. To install, type apt-get install abiword. Some people believe that Gnumeric is a better spreadsheet than OpenOffice Calc. If you are a heavy spreadsheet user, it would be worthwhile to download Gnumeric and test it out. To download, simply type apt-get install gnumeric.
So far, we have been adding applications using apt-get. There is another way to do this. That is to use a graphic interface called Synaptic. To install Synaptic, type apt-get install synaptic. Using Synaptic, you can now install KOffice. All the applications described in this article can be installed either by typing apt-get install or using Synaptic.
The graphics below shows KWord directly loading in a PDF created with OpenOffice. The document can now be easily edited. Given that documents can then be saved as .html files, KWrite should not be dismissed.
KWord loading a PDF file
(Click to enlarge)
Speaking of PDF, OpenOffice will allow you to create PDF files and even send them as attachments in e-mail. All applications running on SimplyMEPIS allow you to print to PDF, e-mail to PDF and print to FAX. It is possible to download Adobe Reader 5.0 for Linux from Adobe's website. I personally feel that this is not necessary as the native PFD viewer works very well. Some users might feel more comfortable using Adobe's ownSpeaking of PDF, OpenOffice will allow you to create PDF files and even send them as attachments in e-mail. All applications running on SimplyMEPIS allow you to print to PDF, e-mail to PDF and print to FAX. It is possible to download Adobe Reader 5.0 for Linux from Adobe's website. I personally feel that this is not necessary as the native PFD viewer works very well. Some users might feel more comfortable using Adobe's own reader.
Integrated PDF viewer
(Click to enlarge)
One of the most important tools I have is my Palm PDA. I use my Palm PDA for everything most people would use a laptop for. My Palm is a Tungsten T3. In order to sync data with SimplyMEPIS, I use J-Pilot. J-Pilot defaults to support older RS232 based Palm PDAs. For the T3, I need to set the serial port under Preferences --> Settings -->Serial Port to /dev/ttyUSB1. If that doesn't work for you, try /dev/ttyUSB01.
SimplyMEPIS comes with with a project management package called Imendio Planner. Online documentation for this application can be found here.
My company, NorhTec uses an Open Source package to to implement all our projects called FreeMind. FreeMind is a mind-mapping software package that allows you to link applications, graphics and files together in a free form way. You can also automatically create a web page for each project automatically. A good example of this can be found here (Java required).
FreeMind is also available for Windows. In order to download and install FreeMind, go here and choose the Debian option. Download the file into a directory of your choice – remember where that is. To install, click the Home ICON at the bottom panel. Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the file. Double click on the file you downloaded. This will bring up KPackager which will install the FreeMind.
FreeMind is a OpenSource Mind-Mapping Software
(Click to enlarge)
Look for the big green N that is followed by FreeMind. Click on FreeMind and then click on Install. Follow the instructions to install FreeMind. You can start FreeMind and opening up a terminal and typing freemind.
Added to SimplyMEPIS -- KWrite, FreeMind and Gnumeric
(Click to enlarge)
SimplyMEPIS also includes Scribus. Scribus is a dedicated desktop publishing program similar to Adobe PageMaker. Scribus is professional quality and suitable for newsletters, magazines and flyers. Additionally, Scribus is a complete PDF editor. You can create PDF forms and even use digital signatures.
Probably the greatest thing about Scribus is that it is community supported and not likely to go away. I have used many professional quality desktop publishing packages – some of which I had to personally purchase. My previous employers paid thousands of dollars for me to use Interleaf. Prior to that, I used Ventura Publisher. After that, they upgraded to FileMaker. My wife used to use PageMaker and my daughter InDesign. There was a point when I used Microsoft Publisher. Commercial desktop publishing programs come and go but community supported projects just get better and better. Scribus has great online documentation.
-- Continued --
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