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Subject:Re: Linux and techwhirlers From:Matt Ion <soundy -at- SOUNDY -dot- ORG> Date:Wed, 21 Apr 1999 14:16:56 -0700
On Wed, 21 Apr 1999 14:42:30 -0400, Kevin McLauchlan wrote:
>Is anybody using Linux as their work platform?
>Or has everybody got it installed on an alternate
>partition for spare-time tinkering, only?
Another one of those things I keep meaning to get around to... gotta copy
of BeOS 4.0 here that I'm dying to try out as well.
>Is there a sufficiently-capable array of tools, yet?
Depends... sufficient for what?
>I guess you can't overlook Corel's WP, but how
>about real DTP? Anything you'd care to trust with
>your livelihood?
StarWriter, part of StarOffice. Fully cross-platform-compatible versions
available for Linux, Solaris, OS/2 and Win32. StarOffice runs as one app,
with these other "Office" functions running as modules within its own
"Desktop", rather than a pile of separate applications.
>How about a solid, trustable illustration app under Linux?
StarDraw, also a part of StarOffice.
>Other office apps: presentation?
StarImpress.
>Spreadsheet?
StarCalc.
>Database?
StarBase.
>Project?
StarSchedule (to a small degree anyway).
>Mail?
StarOffice includes Mail, News, and web-browser functions. Built-in
address book, too.
>Is there anything like Visual C or Visual Basic?
Yes, although I can't think of the names offhand.
Actually, for most of these, there are some pretty kick-ass Java solutions
as well; just install a Java runtime and you're off to the races. Using
"100% pure" Java apps give you the added benefit of being able to run them
on almost any platform out there - not just "compatible versions", but the
exact same code.
Happy hacking :)
Your friend and mine,
Matt
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