Hi there.
Most people using Linux primarily wish for ONE WINDOWS application that could run on it -- Ms OFFICE.
Photoshop is another but there are some alternatives to that one - but Ms OFFICE is THE app above all the others that people want.
Getting Office 2010 to work on Wine / PlayonLinux is a really daunting process and it usually doesn't work very successfully. So far there aren't any real;y good Clones on Linux either - WPS (aka Kingsoft) Office is a start but it only has EXCEL / POWERPOINT and WORD - no email client or database application.
If someone either could make Office run perfectly on Linux or create a clone with all the VB code working too (macros etc) then I'm sure the future for Windows itself might be very different --especially as Ms seem to be going more and more "Cloud orientated").
Interesting to see what does come up -- if anybody has got OFFICE 2010 to work properly on Linux I'd be interested to see how they did it. It could be the 32 bit version of office -- so long as it works 100% WITH OUTLOOK as well.
I'm sure if it weren't for Ms Office Windows would be facing some serious defections by now. !!
Cheers
jimbo
I have very little experience with Linux. But, doesn't Open Office work pretty well? Not up to all of the functions of MS Office, but not far off for the more straightforward users.
No to the question. The amount of work along with the cost alone means there are no major corporations, or businesses that would even think of attempting such a move, and davehc there are no other office suites that can even come close to the abilities of MS Office. Open Office and Libra office can't even compete with MS Office 2003 little own the likes of MS Office 2010 or 2013.
I do not disagree. But, I also have a feeling that the average user, possibly as many as 80%, set up their original template, merely open Word, and type a letter without using any of the functions offered.
I admit, with humility, that whilst I have Word, I often find it easier and quicker to use Wordpad
I suspect that most users just accept the default template (and probably don't even know that you can change it) or the template their IT department has provided.I do not disagree. But, I also have a feeling that the average user, possibly as many as 80%, set up their original template, merely open Word, and type a letter without using any of the functions offered.
I admit, with humility, that whilst I have Word, I often find it easier and quicker to use Wordpad
If I don't need formatting or I want to eliminate it, I use Notepad++.
If I need formatting or I want to transfer it, I use Word 2007.
I do not own Office 2010, but I have gotten Office 2007 to work quite nicely under Wine. It's even easier to install using Crossover. Yes, Outlook works perfectly, as do Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, including macros. The only thing that doesn't seem to work is Access, but I don't ever use it so I haven't bothered pursuing it.
I second the Open Office. It's the closest you can get to MS Office.
As for email client, Linux's default is Thunderbird that you can also configure to work with MS.
No, it's not Office that is just what makes Windows Windows. It's the whole scope of features, benefits, and the other third party programs (PC gaming especially) that makes Windows the mainstay. Office is a pea in the three course meal.
I personally have a fair amount of experience with Linux but I am not even close to expert, I've just installed and used a good 30-40 including a bunch of different flavors. The reason I keep buying (err getting free licenses from via my college :P ) Windows is because I just like everything about it. I can find suitable programs for just about anything in Linux but Windows just does "it" for me. I think the whole package will keep the majority of Win users right here for a while.
MS Office is the one tool that business uses the most and it keeps them using Windows. And I think MS will do anything and everything that they have to do to keep it that way. I don't expect that it's every going to be easy to make MS Office run in Wine easily. MS will make sure that never happens.
Yes, there are great substitute for MS Office but most business will not drop MS Office, IMO and experience. I've used Kingston. Open Office and Libre Office. All are very good tools but business will not use them because they don't have all the features that MS Office has. Right now I'm using IBM Lotus Symphony and I love it but it's the 2009 version.
In the end.. Yes. I would love to see MS Office run in Wine but I don't see that happening with out a miracle happening
