[NTLUG:Discuss] Office Suites

[greenglow484@juno.com]

On Thu, 17 Aug 2000 20:33:34 -0500 Greg Edwards <greg at nas-inet.com>
writes:

........

> Does anyone have any comments on Applixware 5.0 and/or Corel Office 
> 2000
> on that other OS?  How do they compare?

Greg --

While you're checking archives on Mdk 7 (see my other reply tonight),
also check for July 21 -- 23:  Posts by me, others, re various suites,
incl. all you mention -- StarOfc, WP, Applix.

I've just in last week installed full version of Applix 5 on Mdk. 7.1;
have not used it much yet.  The word processing interface seems quite
Windoze-like; similar to Corel WP, Star Ofc, others.  Since it
is_Linux_native, that makes_a_huge_difference -- it runs so much more
smoothly, easily than other stuff does on Wine, for example.  (Haven't
tried Corel WP on Wine, but did recently try Corel Draw 9; ran very
sluggishly on Pent. II 266 MHz w/ 160 MB RAM).  Similarly, StarOfc 5.1
and 5.2 natively on Linux runs pretty smooth, I suppose; it seems like a
rhinoceros waking up, but when it gets going, it's OK.  Myself, I'm
really comfortable with either/ both StarOfc and WordPerf 8.

I've used, on Windoze, StarOfc 5.1 -- 5.2, M$ Word 97, Corel WordPerf 8
and 2000/9; I've never used WP 7.  The 8 & 9 are quite similar, but 9
seemed to run better than 8.  For that matter, so do the Presentations,
spreadsheet and other apps.  Also, keep in mind, later version (9/2000)
ought to have a little better M$ file conversion filters; I never noticed
much diff., though.  And, preceding comments are on Windoze; will stop
now, since this is a Linux list.  However, have never tried running
either on Linux, on Wine/ VMWare.  

Based on my current knowledge, which is not much as to Applix at this
point, if I were you, you might just keep on with StarOfc;  I think it
works pretty well in most stuff, and it's downloadable free (beer), or
else pretty cheap on the CDs, if it's not included in a boxed distro
you'd buy.  ApplixWare does seem to open up/ start running a little
lighter/ quicker/ better than StarOfc does, but I've not used it enough
to form any opinion on the merits.  To me, its main deal right now is
that, being Linux native, it'll generally run better most of the time,
than an emulated app.  And, based on your lukewarm comments as to WP8, if
I were you, I wouldn't spend the $ on WP 2000 Linux unless you are
totally burned off the other choices.  To me, WP 2000 and 8 seem quite
similar in Windoze, and I would prefer not to use an emulated app. in
Linux, thus, no 2000 for me right now.

As far as Paradox running on Wine/ Linux, sorry, dunno; I'm not a big
database guy (at least in Corel), right now. 

Overall, for office wordprocessing on Linux:  I suspect StarOfc and/ or
WordPerfect 8 are my winners.  ApplixWare does seem fine; but it's so new
to me, don't have an opinion yet.  My heart is with wordperfect;
_nothing_beats their "reveal codes" tool; it's pulled my toes out of the
fire many times.  And, the Linux version of WP 8 seems pretty reliable. 
HTH
--
  Douglas D. Darnold	Principal/ Attorney
  LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS D. DARNOLD <greenglow484 at juno.com>
  P. O. Box 12461	Dallas  Texas 75225-0461	Voice: 214-368-0068

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