Posts tagged: openoffice

Writer's Tools: OpenOffice Suite Becomes LibreOffice, Improvements In Store

November 16, 2010, by No comments yet

OpenOffice is the free, open-source office suite that offers functionality similar to Microsoft Office, though it’s not as refined (or quite as powerful).

Still, for word processor geeks (like me), OpenOffice offers an avenue of escape from the MS Office upgrade path, which threw increasingly bloated software at me (in some cases taking away features I loved), and kept locking up my data in proprietary formats.

That’s why news of a new version (LibreOffice) and a substantial upgrade caught my eye:

The Document Foundation (TDF) and community members are working away at a new suite, and there are signs that users will see much improvement in it, as compared to OpenOffice.

… Most interesting of all, it sounds like the LibreOffice suite is being retooled to put content ahead of ever more features–probably a good idea. We all consume much more content now than we used to, and OpenOffice never really detoured to reflect that trend.

Among other things I’d like to see in LibreOffice is a much improved word processor. I spend most of my day in browsers, word processors and on email, and a truly great word processor would be a great centerpiece for a new overhaul of OpenOffice.

Byfield also reports that the LibreOffice folks are looking closely at new hardware platforms. That may or may not be a good idea. Netbooks, for example, are showing less promise than they once did. Could a retooled OpenOffice have a future on tablets, though?

Recently, the OpenOffice project has come under fire for languishing, and when it was acquired by Oracle (when they bought Sun), a group of developers – unhappy with Oracle’s treatment of the project – forked the software (it’s open source, remember).

I don’t write in OpenOffice Writer as much as I did five years ago, when it essentially powered my business.

Today, 90% of my words are written in programmer’s text editors (this is being written in the powerful-but-bizarre Emacs editor), and I’m thinking the paper-based metaphor embraced by MS Word and OpenOffice hurts today’s online writers more than it helps.

And yes, because Microsoft keeps changing its document format (essentially holding your data hostage) and OpenOffice still can’t deal with .docx files perfectly, I bought the Softmaker Suite (an affordable, cross-platform MS Office clone sans ribbon interface).

Softmaker’s Textmaker word processor looks a lot like MS Office 2003, and even better, document translation (and features like “Track Changes”) work perfectly.

Simply put, the clients who send me MS Office documents (and expect them back) never know I’m using a $39 office suite. Plus, both OpenOffice and the Softmaker Office are available on Linux, which means I haven’t booted my slow, nagging Windows partition in months.

The rise of cloud computing and platform-agnostic data (pretty much everything posted online) is lessening our dependence on specific software platforms, offering even corporate writers options we never truly had.

My business has changed markedly the last five years, and – not surprisingly – the tools I use have changed alongside it.

Keep writing (but give some thought to what you’re writing with), Tom Chandler.

Email Interruptions Cost You 64 Seconds in Downtime

September 13, 2008, by 8 comments

Need a reason to turn off that “you’ve got mail” tab, ghost box or other notification?

Every time it pops up, it takes an average of 64 seconds to regain your train of thought.

Via the Sydney Morning Herald:

It had been assumed that email doesn’t cause interruptions because the recipient chooses when to check for and respond to email (bit.ly/email3). But Dr Jackson found that people tend to respond to email as it arrives, taking an average of only one minute and 44 seconds to act upon a new email notification; 70% of alerts got a reaction within six seconds. That’s faster than letting the phone ring three times.

I’d add up the consequences of that 64 seconds of downtime by multiplying my daily email interruptions by 30 (days in a month), but frankly, I’d rather not know.

In truth, after years of doing things the same way – mostly because that’s the way I’d been doing them – I’ve been looking hard at alternatives.

Moving from Windows Vista to Linux is one result (I get more done).

Now – as I support a pair of ongoing online engagement marketing projects, and write more online copy than ever – I find I’m using my “main” word processor (OpenOffice) less than half the time, and taking advantage of the project management/html/speed features of a Linux programming editor (Bluefish).

It surprised me too.

I tell my students marketing’s changed more in the last five years than it did in the prior 50; I’m starting to see the same trend in my own work habits.

Is the same true for you?

Keep writing, Tom Chandler.

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The Ubuntu Project Post#2: The Copywriter's Software Dilemma

June 26, 2008, by 16 comments

I’m a week into my Linux test flight, and Ubuntu is working largely as advertised.

It seems its reputation as a hard-to-use/hard to install OS is outdated – at least for Ubuntu. (For an amusing look at Bill Gates’ take on Windows XP usability, go here).

Ubuntu news header

Over the last few days, I created and shipped a pair of estimates, a couple pieces of copy, a marketing plan, a press release and an invoice (all created in OpenOffice and saved in MS Word format).

Though I asked, I received zero negative feedback from clients about un-openable or malformed documents.

I’m testing a couple twitter clients (Twitterfox & gTwitter), and handling my IM traffic with Pidgin. My blog images are editing nicely in Gimp (a fast open source image editor), and OpenOffice works just like it did when I used it on Windows.

I also edited a pair of landing pages in KompoZer – a WYSIWYG html editor (I use Namo Web Editor in Windows).

I’m less taken with Evolution – the Linux equivalent to Outlook – and may start searching for a calendar/contact manager to pair with Thunderbird.

In short, it’s largely business as usual, only a bit faster. In fact, I’m struck by how easy the transition has been, and how little disruption I’ve experienced.

But then, I already use a lot of open source software. And there have been a few difficulties.

My USB microphone (M-Audio “Podcast Factory”) isn’t playing nice with Ubuntu and Audacity (open source audio editor). It was plug-and-play on Vista (XP required the installation of a truly annoying driver), but I have yet to crack the code on Ubuntu, and don’t have time to invest more than a few minutes.

And my laptop’s display brightness control is far too coarse (no steps between fully bright and too dim).

Finally, I encountered a very, very strange ftp issue, where I couldn’t get files to appear on my server using Filezilla on Linux, yet the exact same settings produced the correct results when using Filezilla on Vista (I’ll troubleshoot this one a bit more).

I like the cleanliness of the Ubuntu interface. And enjoy not having to re-boot the computer after a few hours of intensive program switching (like I did in Windows).

Yes, I’m still pining for a better blog editor. And have yet to find a simple, GUI text editor with realtime character/word/line count stats.

But it’s clear that I could run my business in Linux. But do I want to? And would other writers?

I see three key barriers limiting Linux adoption by rank & file “word workers.”

  • Software availability
  • Compatibility with client systems
  • The “Windows Tax” (PCs arrive with Windows installed, so why switch?)

We’ll look at the second two in subsequent posts; right now, let’s deal with the software question.

Software Availability

Linux fans claim technical superiority for the operating system – a hollow claim if you can’t run the software needed to do your job.

For example, at the right hand of many copywriters lies Microsoft Word – the clear corporate standard and the word processor of choice for many copywriters.

Clearly, if you absolutely must use MS Word, then there’s no reason to run Linux; Word simply isn’t available.

For many copywriters, the story begins and ends right there (though a few will use Word on a Mac).

Still, change is a constant, and the writing world isn’t nearly as MS Word-focused as it has been. In fact, plenty of writers are using anything but MS Word — and without ill effects on their business. Why?

  • We’re seeing a growing emphasis on unformatted copy for online use (any text editor can deliver a .txt or .rtf file)
  • Modern word processors are far better at saving files in MS Word format
  • A powerful, open source alternative to MS Office has emerged (OpenOffice)
  • Hosted office suites have arrived (Google Docs, Zoho, etc)
  • The latest version of MS Word uses a radically different interface, and not everybody’s happy about that
  • Our writing efforts are fragmenting across our desktops (blog editors, twitter & IM clients, email, etc)

I bailed on Word a couple years ago when yet another upgrade arrived – one that actually made the software less useful to me.

I tried OpenOffice, it worked well, I was happy, and I never looked back. I haven’t suffered for the decision.

If I wrote long, technical documents for a corporate client who demanded MS Word compatibility, I don’t know if I’d be similarly happy.

And of course, word processors are only part of the deal.

Clearly, we’re doing more with Web browsers and Java apps every day, but plenty of Windows-only software exists (much of it vertical market), and while I’ve found a serviceable replacement in every “main” category for my Windows software, it’s clear that won’t be true for everyone.

Hardcore Quicken users might find a home in GnuCash, but others won’t. Other problem areas include games, hobby software, some online clients… the list of potential problem software is long.

Linux partisans are quick to point out that Wine offers you the ability to run some Windows programs on the Linux OS, and they’re right – to a point.

The real question is this: why would anyone switch to Linux if it meant running a critical piece of software in emulation?

My time in Linux assures me it’s possible (simple, actually) to run a writing business on Linux. The lack of viruses, the automatic (and daily updates), the low cost, the performance, the stability, the support, and the total absence of Microsoft looking over your shoulder (anyone enjoy downloading the Windows Software Validation tool?) are pluses.

But the absence of some software is a minus. How much of a minus?

That depends wholly on your perspective. Newer writers – with less time and data invested in legacy software – should find it a lot easier.

I’ll delve into the other barriers to Linux adoption — and a few reasons why you should consider Linux — in an upcoming post. Right now, I’m packing for two weeks of fly fishing in Montana, where I’ll be writing and filing blog reports from my Linux-equipped laptop.

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The Ubuntu Project: Is Linux Right For Word Workers?

June 22, 2008, by 65 comments

Linux for the word worker?My six year-old HP laptop has never failed me. But lately, it has been making me wait.

It’s running Windows XP, and even after a clean install – once its 512K MB of RAM was burdened with service packs, security updates, anti-viral software and a modern browser – it becomes the Little Laptop That Can’t.

At least not quickly.

It’s not the end of the world; I run my company on a fast new laptop. But I keep the HP upstairs, so I can surf and check email without heading downstairs to my office.

Was I screwed? Time to shell out for another laptop?

Maybe. But when you’ve got nothing to lose, you’ve got nothing to lose by trying something new. I went looking for a faster alternative. And found it.

The Linux Story

Linux is an operating system that runs many of the servers on the Web (this blog’s server runs Linux).

Linux is also available for the desktop, yet it’s rarely found on the information worker’s PC (desktop market share has grown to just over 2%).

A free version of the age-old Unix operating system, Linux is considered an operating system for techies, scientists and cranks. It’s fast and powerful, but often labeled “user unfriendly.”

Yet recently I’ve heard the rumblings. The newer versions are “friendlier.” Easier to install. Cuddly even.

True? Or false?

I’m no propeller head. But I am a good test subject. I’m a marketer, copywriter and online guy. And I don’t mind tinkering (a little).

In short, I use a PC the same way most online-savvy folks use PCs. And here I sat with a slow laptop; a perfect test bed for a Linux installation.

The Ubuntu Effect

Among all the Linux distributions, Ubuntu has been called the friendliest, easiest-to-install Linux distribution. That made it my starting point.

Which is when I experienced my first Linux Surprise.

Ubuntu isn’t one system; it’s many of them.

Several flavors are available, including a server version, an education version (Edubuntu), two “standard” desktop versions (Ubuntu & Kubuntu), an interesting studio version for multimedia types (Ubuntu Studio), a mobile version, and yes – a small footprint version for slower PCs (Xubuntu).

Bingo.

Installation was straightforward; I downloaded an Xubuntu CD image, burned a CD, and rebooted from the Xubuntu CD.

Expecting a painful confrontation with an extraterrestrial installation process, I was pleasantly surprised. Instead of indecipherable choices, I faced four installation options:

  • Install the Linux operating system over the old system (reformatting your drive and destroying all your old data)
  • Install Ubuntu in its own partition (it divides your hard drive into separate virtual disks; you decide which operating system boots at startup)
  • Install it on on your Windows disk (maintains all your Windows data and system; Linux runs a little slower)
  • Run it from the CD (quite slow, but you can test-drive the system without altering one byte on your Windows disk)

Because I didn’t care about maintaining my old Windows XP installation, I went with option #1.

And gritted my teeth.

This was where it was going to get messy.

This was where I was going to meet the Linux Monster head on.

This was… done already?

Installation went smoothly. Very smoothly.

The only holdup? The wireless card didn’t work, so I had to plug my laptop directly into my router. It connected immediately, and automatically downloaded the driver software for my wireless card.

Done. Finished.

Ready to compute.

In other words, installation was easy. Damned easy.

In 40 minutes, I was looking at the Xubuntu desktop, complete with open source (free) word processor (Abiword), spreadsheet (Gnumeric), Pidgin all-in-one IM software, and plenty other goodies.

Still, I’m a fan of OpenOffice (an open source, MS Windows Office equivalent), and installing it was a snap.

I simply ran the Package Manager, which automatically downloaded and installed software for me.

Fast. Simple. Easy.

What was I afraid of again?

With a little configuring (the browser had to download some non-open source plugins to run flash), my old laptop was once again a useful Web surfing tool.

It isn’t blazingly fast, but it is faster than when running XP, and Xubuntu handled my laptop’s limited memory far better.

The interface is clean and simple. Upgrades and updates are automatic. And yes, there was much rejoicing at the Underground.

The End of the Story?

Not quite. Running (and yes, enjoying) the streamlined version of Ubuntu forced me to ask the question: would I prefer the full-featured desktop version of Ubuntu to the copy of Windows Vista running on my business laptop?

I’ll be blunt. I don’t much like Windows Vista. It makes my fast new laptop run like my old slow desktop. In fact, it feels like little more than a slow, tarted-up version of Windows XP – and many of the interface “improvements” leave me scratching my head.

It doesn’t feel like an upgrade worth waiting years for. And I have zero interest in moving to the latest version of MS Office. In fact, my daily software set is already largely open source.

Wtih that in mind, was Ubuntu a faster, updated-more-often, better-designed choice for my everyday work computer? Was it possible to find out in a relatively painless fashion?

The Ubuntu Project: 30 Days of Linux

Turns out it was. I installed the full-blown glossy version of Ubuntu in a partition on my new Dell Inspiron laptop (total: two hours).

Most the software I wanted was already in place, but I quickly downloaded the few bits that weren’t (the big list looks like: OpenOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, Evolution, Audacity, Kompozer, Scribus, Gimp, gTwitter).


Ubuntu running all the usual suspects: OpenOffice, Firefox, gTwitter, IM manager…

Some are simply Linux versions of the software I already use. Others (like HTML editor Kompozer) replace commercial Windows products.

Meanwhile, Vista – and all my old software – reclines on my hard drive, ready to boot if needed.

Like Morgan Spurlock of “30 days” fame, I’m going to live with Ubuntu Linux for the next month.

If I like it, I switch. If I don’t, Vista stays.

First Impressions

Ubuntu is faster than Vista. Not by a factor of several times, but noticeably faster.

The interface is (to my eye) cleaner. And I’m already using mostly open source software, which means I barely notice the switch.

There have been glitches.

Playing a standard commercial DVD wasn’t possible without messing with indecipherable command lines. It’s an easy fix, but it’s clumsy. And while there’s a lot of open source software available, Linux currently lacks a killer blog editor.

I loved Windows LiveWriter on Vista, but have been relegated to using the oddly designed ScribeFire (Firefox-based Java app) for blogging. (Don’t Linux people blog?)

I already miss some of the peripheral software available in Windows. Like the Twhirl Twitter editor and the Q10 “dark screen” text editor.

And moving contact data from my Windows PIM (Time & Chaos) and into Evolution (the open source equivalent of Outlook) has been a surprisingly painful experience.

Outside of the few glitches, I’ve enjoyed an easy move. And with Web-based software becoming more common, the application barriers to moving to Linux are going to come down (in most cases, they already have).

Of course, larger questions of availability, scalability, compatibility and even philosophy are at work here, and I’ll get into those during my month-long Ubuntu test.

Until then, keep writing.

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