[SC.LUG] Linux MS Office look-alikes in practice.

[Ewan Leith]

My own experience with heavily forms based documents is that
OpenOffice and the like are not quite there yet.

However, the people at Suse/Novell have always been very helpful to me
when asked about trying out the various Suse distributions, so it
might be worth your while dropping them at email, and downloading the
latest version from

http://www.novell.com/products/desktop/eval.html

Ewan



On 9/25/06, Roger Gibson <rcgibson at talktalk.net> wrote:
> Hi All,  does anyone have any user experience of Linux MS office
> look-alikes like SUSE Enterprise Desktop 10.
>
> I am involved with a small chairty in Chester, and I have been asked to
> help with rationalising their ad-hoc IT stuff.  There are about 6 PCs of
> various vintages, which could ideally be networked, including internet
> access and printer(s).  All the users are familiar only with MS Word and
> Excel, some with MS Publisher.  A lot of stuff to and from grant aiding
> bodies uses Word and Excel, with on-line forms to download, fill in, and
> email back.
>
> There could be significant savings if the whole lot were Linux based,
> both savings in licence costs, and getting the best use out of hand me
> down PCs.  However the users are not IT buffs, many struggle with Word
> etc as it is, and there are part-time helpers who use computers at home
> and are only happy with what looks familiar.
>
> I'm afraid this is not a preaching opportunity.  It would only work if,
> in 12 month's time I could ask, 'Did you know this was not MS Office?',
> and they reply 'No'.  A great shame, but ...
>
> I just wondered if a Linux look-alike of MS Office would be a step too
> far for this application.
>
> Any experiences out there would be most welcome.
>
> Many thanks - Roger Gibson.
>
> _______________________________________________
> SC mailing list
> SC at mailman.lug.org.uk
> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/sc
>