Linux for spreadsheet?

Renate · 06-28-2008, 09:09 PM

I am interest in Linux operating system for my son-in-law told that with it you don't have to have spyware or a firewall. He writes software for a living. He suggusted using ubuntu.

I have seen ubuntu, kutuntu and linux. Which one has an easy spreadsheet like excell? Which one is best for a desk top? Can I just down load ubuntu to my Emachine windows xp?

wmorri · 07-03-2008, 09:38 PM

Renate welcome to linux. It seems that you have a few different but very good questions here. First, I will answer your question about the excel spreadsheet. There is an office suite the is used by Ubuntu and other OS's that is called OpenOffice.org, this is similar to windows in that it has all the same programs yet they are just a little bit different.

Second, about what disto to use for your computer. Ubuntu, and Kubuntu are the same thing. The only differnce is that they have different GUI's. Ubuntu runs on the Gnome GUI, and Kubuntu runs on KDE. Gnome is similar to the Mac OS X look, and KDE is similar to the Windows look. Both of them are Linux.

As for which one is better for you and your computer. That is just a matter of personal choice. I like using Ubuntu with Gnome, but that is just me. A lot of my friends like Kubuntu.

"Can I just down load ubuntu to my Emachine windows xp?" The simple answer is no. That being said there are ways for you to put Ubuntu on your computer. What you would need to do is to download the .iso file. This will download to your desktop or where-ever you save your files. Then you will need to get an ISO burner. Then burn the iso file to a cd/dvd, then you will be able to boot off it.

But before I get to far ahead of myself and confuse you more I will let you take this all in and ask any questions that you have so far.

Cheers!

**sobeit** · 07-03-2008, 09:52 PM

as previously mentioned, openoffice.org has a full office package. If you want to see how it works and if it would work for you, you can download it and install it in windows without any problems. I have both openoffice and ms office 2003 and use spreadsheets between them interchangeably.

As far as the latest version of Ubuntu, you can install in from windows (you cannot do this from older versions). You download the iso as previously mentioned, then boot. Choose the option to install within windows and it will. Just follow the onscreen instructions and you will have no problems. I have done it several times without any problems. When you want to remove all you have to do is to go to windows add/remove.

By going this route,you can dual boot between the two operating systems as needed.

acd0 · 07-10-2008, 11:58 AM

you always need a firewall. dont worry about AV, but a firewall is a must. do some reading on iptables.

06-28-2008, 09:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Renate Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: WINDOWS XP	Linux for spreadsheet? I am interest in Linux operating system for my son-in-law told that with it you don't have to have spyware or a firewall. He writes software for a living. He suggusted using ubuntu. I have seen ubuntu, kutuntu and linux. Which one has an easy spreadsheet like excell? Which one is best for a desk top? Can I just down load ubuntu to my Emachine windows xp?

07-03-2008, 09:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
wmorri HJT Trainee Join Date: May 2008 Location: NORTHERN New York Posts: 508 OS: Vista Basic SP1/Ubuntu 8.04/Fedora 9	Re: Linux for spreadsheet? Renate welcome to linux. It seems that you have a few different but very good questions here. First, I will answer your question about the excel spreadsheet. There is an office suite the is used by Ubuntu and other OS's that is called OpenOffice.org, this is similar to windows in that it has all the same programs yet they are just a little bit different. Second, about what disto to use for your computer. Ubuntu, and Kubuntu are the same thing. The only differnce is that they have different GUI's. Ubuntu runs on the Gnome GUI, and Kubuntu runs on KDE. Gnome is similar to the Mac OS X look, and KDE is similar to the Windows look. Both of them are Linux. As for which one is better for you and your computer. That is just a matter of personal choice. I like using Ubuntu with Gnome, but that is just me. A lot of my friends like Kubuntu. "Can I just down load ubuntu to my Emachine windows xp?" The simple answer is no. That being said there are ways for you to put Ubuntu on your computer. What you would need to do is to download the .iso file. This will download to your desktop or where-ever you save your files. Then you will need to get an ISO burner. Then burn the iso file to a cd/dvd, then you will be able to boot off it. But before I get to far ahead of myself and confuse you more I will let you take this all in and ask any questions that you have so far. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever! Learning is doing, not being able to follow steps put forth by others.

07-03-2008, 09:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 5,328 OS: windows/linux	Re: Linux for spreadsheet? as previously mentioned, openoffice.org has a full office package. If you want to see how it works and if it would work for you, you can download it and install it in windows without any problems. I have both openoffice and ms office 2003 and use spreadsheets between them interchangeably. As far as the latest version of Ubuntu, you can install in from windows (you cannot do this from older versions). You download the iso as previously mentioned, then boot. Choose the option to install within windows and it will. Just follow the onscreen instructions and you will have no problems. I have done it several times without any problems. When you want to remove all you have to do is to go to windows add/remove. By going this route,you can dual boot between the two operating systems as needed. __________________ Do not feed the trolls. Last edited by sobeit : 07-03-2008 at 09:54 PM.

07-10-2008, 11:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
acd0 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 23 OS: freebsd, slackware	Re: Linux for spreadsheet? you always need a firewall. dont worry about AV, but a firewall is a must. do some reading on iptables.