OxygenOffice extended openoffice package for puppy linux
Posted: Thu 26 Mar 2009, 14:51
My second clumsy step into the world of package creation is .sfs package for a full office suite. Oxygenoffice is basically standard openoffice with extra document templates, clipart, fonts, samples and VBA macros (if you need them). It is able to open, edit and save Microsoft Office .doc, .ppt, .xls. Openoffice is also available (free) for Windows and Mac, as well as almost every type of Linux.
Ive just looked up on the P.C. world website, and the cost of the equivalent Microsoft Office 2007 package is.....wait for it....
£265.33 British Pounds or $387.00 U.S. Dollars!!!
...and for that price you dont even get an install cd with it.....just a serial number from Microsoft!
System Requirements
This is obviously a very big package as it has so many features. It also requires a faster computer than the standard puppy linux (I would estimate about a 400mhz with 192mb RAM) to get by. This should be most computers under about ten years old.
If its any consolation, Microsoft Office 2007 requires a computer around three times more powerful than this, and if you didnt have a computer already, and you used your computer for "Commercial Purposes", you would also need to purchase a new computer with a Windows Vista Business Operating System Licence...thats another £289.99GBP or $422.49USD at for a base model (without monitor). That would bring the total cost of writing a letter to around £555.32GBP or $809.05USD. So much for "Free Speech"
Installation Instructions (For Free)
Mirrors (more Needed)
BigFileHost.com worldwide download mirror
Ecomoney Systems Ltd European Download Mirror
MD5SUM = 2ba493b49eee653c762ac8481c95796c
Because of its size (and current limitations with puppys the .pet package installation system) its only really possible to install this as an ."sfs addon pack". If you have not done this before "DONT PANIC", its actually very simple (and flexible!) Once you know how, you will be able to install all of the other many .sfs files that will give you access to to all of the larger packages made for Puppy Linux
Installing OxygenOffice if you are still using Windows as well as Puppy Linux
If youve just started using Puppy Linux, and are using a CD to switch between Windows and Puppy, you will have what we call a FRUGAL installation. Youve probably not figured out the puppy linux filesystem yet, and feel more comfortable in Windows (this feeling will pass trust me!) The absolutely easiest way for you is to just download the file in windows, and copy it to the bottom of your "C:" drive (where most probably your puppy linux "pup_save.2fs" file is too).
Simply download the file from one of the mirrors above, and save it to your desktop or "My Documents" or wherever. On your desktop you will see an icon called "my computer". It looks like this.
If you double-click this, it will show you all the drives on your computer. You will see one that says "Local Disk C:". Like this
Simply drag and drop the oxygenoffice301_420.sfs onto the top of the "Local Disk C:\" icon above this. When you next put your Puppy Linux disk in and restart your computer, Openoffice will be installed! You can go to the next step to create a desktop shortcuts to all of the different office programs.
Installing "properly" using Puppy Linux
If your not using Windows, or your Windows is broken (likely ), or you just want to learn how to do things "properly" then use this method.
If your still in Windows, restart into Puppy Linux, and when the puppy desktop appears go back to this thread. Click on the link above under "mirrors" for a location near you. (A "mirror" is somewhere you get software from, it means a copy of the original location). A box like this one will appear...
(Side Note To Puppy Developers! Puppy should really know how to "handle" an .sfs package OUT OF THE BOX!!! You really wonder why New users are always asking for .pets of your .sfs's?)
Click on "OK", and you will see a box like this...
The next part is either very tricky or very easy, depending on which version of Puppy Linux you are using. If your not sure, if your Puppy desktop looks like the old Windows 95/98/2000 then its probably pre-4.2.
Installation Instructions for Puppy Linux Version 4.1.2 and Earlier
Read the instructions in the next post below this one...there isnt time to explain here!
Version 4.2 or later
If you are using a version of puppy thats later than version 4.2 (i.e. has a higher number) then there is an easy link directly to where you need to save the file. It is called called "Hard-Drive" and you can see it in the picture above.
Simply "double click" the "Hard-Drive" folder, and click Save. Wait for it to finish downloading (another window called "download manager" should appear, that will tell you the progress of it). When its finished you need to restart your computer and it will be installed. (The "Hard Drive" link will always take you directly to where you "C:\" was in Windows). Proceed to "Setting up Desktop Shortcuts" Below.
Setting up Desktop Icons
The Office packages in OpenOffice and OxygenOffice have got different names to the "word", "excel", "powerpoint" and "dbase" used in Microsoft Office. They are actually easier to remember. The equivalent programs are listed below.
Microsoft Word -Openoffice Write
Microsoft Excel -Openoffice Calc
Microsoft PowerPoint - Openoffice Presentation
Microsoft Dbase - Openoffice Database
Microsoft Publisher - Openoffice Draw
Note:- For the same job as Microsoft Publisher, only less with less annoyance, its easier to use, works roughly the same way as the other office applications and you can send the results (via .pdf) straight to your printers without them charging you extra for the trouble (I know a printers that does this).
You can use the above programs to open Microsoft Documents of roughly the same type (for example, OpenOffice Write will open Microsoft word Documents). There is the notable exception of Publisher (.pub) documents, most of which quite frankly are so awful no one would want to convert them. If you need a dedicated Desktop Publishing application (i.e. your in the print or publishing business) then I suggest using a program called "Scribus" for Linux. For most users Draw will be more than good enough, and is a lot simpler and easier to use.
Openoffice Math is for solving complex mathmatical equations...you dont get this at all with M$ Office.
Puppy 4.2 and later - This is a lot more "intuitive". Move to the left hand side of the screen with your mouse, and click the "Add Icon" tray that pops out. Click it and a window full of icons will pop out. Drag the ones out of the list above onto the desktop to create a shortcut.
Pre-Puppy 4.2
You need to find where the icons are stored manually (dont worry it isnt as bad as the post below). Click on the "file" icon in the top left hand corner of your desktop. Next click on "My-Applications" and finally "bin". This will bring up a window where your icons are stored. Drag and drop the ones you want onto the desktop to create your shortcuts.
Top Tips for using Open/OxygenOffice
1. If you want to change the format of your page, use the "Format>Page.." menu at the top, rather than the "File>Page Setup..."
2. You might want to send a document to someone still using Microsoft Office (say a C.V. for a Job application). Create your document as usual, then go to "File>Save as" and select the equivalent Microsoft File type from the drop down "file type" you want to save it as. For example, for word processor files, you would save as ".doc" files (Listed as "Microsoft Word 97/2000/2003/XP"). You can also save it in many other formats, and under the "file>export as pdf" you can create standard Adobe Acrobat documents if you need it to be Read-Only or sent to a printers.
3. If you use OpenOffice's standard (.odt) file format for your own use, or sharing with other with OpenOffice, they use approximately half the space of an Equivelent Microsoft office file...meaning you can store twice as many on your disk, or send them via email in half the time!
Bugs
Currently the dictionaries included only support American English, you will have to install ones for your own variant (or Language) yourself. you can find out how to do this under the help menu section.
There is a problem sometimes that the window controls at the top dont show (maximise, close, minimise, restore). There is an easy fix. Just right click (right hand mouse button) the square in the task bar at the bottom of puppy that represents the office application and select "Maximize".
Credits
Sun Microsystems and the developers of the openoffice.org project for developing this and saving so many people so much money.
The OxygenOffice Project for extending the work on Openoffice.
Mark Ulrich (MU) for his openoffice builder program - OO2SFS., and for taking the time to post it and explain how it works in a non-native language - and the many other packages and easy-to-follow tutorials that have helped me over the years. His Openoffice Builder is what I used to build this package.
Zigbert for his PWidgets package, which has finally made it easy for the non-linux-initiated to do something as easy as create a desktop shortcut with Puppy Linux, and beautiful enough so they will bother to learn!
WhoDo for Managing the puppy 4.2 project, and despite opposition including pWidgets in 4.2. Also for the initiative to get out from behind his computer and find out for himself what people need from an operating system. Also for including my idea of an automatic symlink from /root to the hard disk that makes installing .sfs's easy...and many other things
Whoever it was that created the desktop icons! I cant remember but I used your work.
Ive just looked up on the P.C. world website, and the cost of the equivalent Microsoft Office 2007 package is.....wait for it....
£265.33 British Pounds or $387.00 U.S. Dollars!!!
...and for that price you dont even get an install cd with it.....just a serial number from Microsoft!
System Requirements
This is obviously a very big package as it has so many features. It also requires a faster computer than the standard puppy linux (I would estimate about a 400mhz with 192mb RAM) to get by. This should be most computers under about ten years old.
If its any consolation, Microsoft Office 2007 requires a computer around three times more powerful than this, and if you didnt have a computer already, and you used your computer for "Commercial Purposes", you would also need to purchase a new computer with a Windows Vista Business Operating System Licence...thats another £289.99GBP or $422.49USD at for a base model (without monitor). That would bring the total cost of writing a letter to around £555.32GBP or $809.05USD. So much for "Free Speech"
Installation Instructions (For Free)
Mirrors (more Needed)
BigFileHost.com worldwide download mirror
Ecomoney Systems Ltd European Download Mirror
MD5SUM = 2ba493b49eee653c762ac8481c95796c
Because of its size (and current limitations with puppys the .pet package installation system) its only really possible to install this as an ."sfs addon pack". If you have not done this before "DONT PANIC", its actually very simple (and flexible!) Once you know how, you will be able to install all of the other many .sfs files that will give you access to to all of the larger packages made for Puppy Linux
Installing OxygenOffice if you are still using Windows as well as Puppy Linux
If youve just started using Puppy Linux, and are using a CD to switch between Windows and Puppy, you will have what we call a FRUGAL installation. Youve probably not figured out the puppy linux filesystem yet, and feel more comfortable in Windows (this feeling will pass trust me!) The absolutely easiest way for you is to just download the file in windows, and copy it to the bottom of your "C:" drive (where most probably your puppy linux "pup_save.2fs" file is too).
Simply download the file from one of the mirrors above, and save it to your desktop or "My Documents" or wherever. On your desktop you will see an icon called "my computer". It looks like this.
If you double-click this, it will show you all the drives on your computer. You will see one that says "Local Disk C:". Like this
Simply drag and drop the oxygenoffice301_420.sfs onto the top of the "Local Disk C:\" icon above this. When you next put your Puppy Linux disk in and restart your computer, Openoffice will be installed! You can go to the next step to create a desktop shortcuts to all of the different office programs.
Installing "properly" using Puppy Linux
If your not using Windows, or your Windows is broken (likely ), or you just want to learn how to do things "properly" then use this method.
If your still in Windows, restart into Puppy Linux, and when the puppy desktop appears go back to this thread. Click on the link above under "mirrors" for a location near you. (A "mirror" is somewhere you get software from, it means a copy of the original location). A box like this one will appear...
(Side Note To Puppy Developers! Puppy should really know how to "handle" an .sfs package OUT OF THE BOX!!! You really wonder why New users are always asking for .pets of your .sfs's?)
Click on "OK", and you will see a box like this...
The next part is either very tricky or very easy, depending on which version of Puppy Linux you are using. If your not sure, if your Puppy desktop looks like the old Windows 95/98/2000 then its probably pre-4.2.
Installation Instructions for Puppy Linux Version 4.1.2 and Earlier
Read the instructions in the next post below this one...there isnt time to explain here!
Version 4.2 or later
If you are using a version of puppy thats later than version 4.2 (i.e. has a higher number) then there is an easy link directly to where you need to save the file. It is called called "Hard-Drive" and you can see it in the picture above.
Simply "double click" the "Hard-Drive" folder, and click Save. Wait for it to finish downloading (another window called "download manager" should appear, that will tell you the progress of it). When its finished you need to restart your computer and it will be installed. (The "Hard Drive" link will always take you directly to where you "C:\" was in Windows). Proceed to "Setting up Desktop Shortcuts" Below.
Setting up Desktop Icons
The Office packages in OpenOffice and OxygenOffice have got different names to the "word", "excel", "powerpoint" and "dbase" used in Microsoft Office. They are actually easier to remember. The equivalent programs are listed below.
Microsoft Word -Openoffice Write
Microsoft Excel -Openoffice Calc
Microsoft PowerPoint - Openoffice Presentation
Microsoft Dbase - Openoffice Database
Microsoft Publisher - Openoffice Draw
Note:- For the same job as Microsoft Publisher, only less with less annoyance, its easier to use, works roughly the same way as the other office applications and you can send the results (via .pdf) straight to your printers without them charging you extra for the trouble (I know a printers that does this).
You can use the above programs to open Microsoft Documents of roughly the same type (for example, OpenOffice Write will open Microsoft word Documents). There is the notable exception of Publisher (.pub) documents, most of which quite frankly are so awful no one would want to convert them. If you need a dedicated Desktop Publishing application (i.e. your in the print or publishing business) then I suggest using a program called "Scribus" for Linux. For most users Draw will be more than good enough, and is a lot simpler and easier to use.
Openoffice Math is for solving complex mathmatical equations...you dont get this at all with M$ Office.
Puppy 4.2 and later - This is a lot more "intuitive". Move to the left hand side of the screen with your mouse, and click the "Add Icon" tray that pops out. Click it and a window full of icons will pop out. Drag the ones out of the list above onto the desktop to create a shortcut.
Pre-Puppy 4.2
You need to find where the icons are stored manually (dont worry it isnt as bad as the post below). Click on the "file" icon in the top left hand corner of your desktop. Next click on "My-Applications" and finally "bin". This will bring up a window where your icons are stored. Drag and drop the ones you want onto the desktop to create your shortcuts.
Top Tips for using Open/OxygenOffice
1. If you want to change the format of your page, use the "Format>Page.." menu at the top, rather than the "File>Page Setup..."
2. You might want to send a document to someone still using Microsoft Office (say a C.V. for a Job application). Create your document as usual, then go to "File>Save as" and select the equivalent Microsoft File type from the drop down "file type" you want to save it as. For example, for word processor files, you would save as ".doc" files (Listed as "Microsoft Word 97/2000/2003/XP"). You can also save it in many other formats, and under the "file>export as pdf" you can create standard Adobe Acrobat documents if you need it to be Read-Only or sent to a printers.
3. If you use OpenOffice's standard (.odt) file format for your own use, or sharing with other with OpenOffice, they use approximately half the space of an Equivelent Microsoft office file...meaning you can store twice as many on your disk, or send them via email in half the time!
Bugs
Currently the dictionaries included only support American English, you will have to install ones for your own variant (or Language) yourself. you can find out how to do this under the help menu section.
There is a problem sometimes that the window controls at the top dont show (maximise, close, minimise, restore). There is an easy fix. Just right click (right hand mouse button) the square in the task bar at the bottom of puppy that represents the office application and select "Maximize".
Credits
Sun Microsystems and the developers of the openoffice.org project for developing this and saving so many people so much money.
The OxygenOffice Project for extending the work on Openoffice.
Mark Ulrich (MU) for his openoffice builder program - OO2SFS., and for taking the time to post it and explain how it works in a non-native language - and the many other packages and easy-to-follow tutorials that have helped me over the years. His Openoffice Builder is what I used to build this package.
Zigbert for his PWidgets package, which has finally made it easy for the non-linux-initiated to do something as easy as create a desktop shortcut with Puppy Linux, and beautiful enough so they will bother to learn!
WhoDo for Managing the puppy 4.2 project, and despite opposition including pWidgets in 4.2. Also for the initiative to get out from behind his computer and find out for himself what people need from an operating system. Also for including my idea of an automatic symlink from /root to the hard disk that makes installing .sfs's easy...and many other things
Whoever it was that created the desktop icons! I cant remember but I used your work.