PCMech Forums - View Single Post

Computer Hobbyist · 03-13-2002, 08:25 AM

I'm not trying to sell the idea. Just a thought.

Most colleges use Unix as their OS of choice. StarOffice is fully compatable with MS Office packages so document compatablity is not really an issue. You can set up KDE so your sister rarely if ever has to enter terminal mode. KDE looks a lot like Windows, and if you set up the icons properly she might not notice the difference. Linux is far more stable than Windows98 which likes to crash every so often. In fact it is as stable or more stable than anything Microsoft has ever released. Security is much stronger than Windows98. Since there are fewer viruses designed to attack Linux, the system is less likely to get sick. If I could easily replace the accounting and timekeeping software in my business with a Linux based versions, I would dump Windows altogether.

Get StarOffice 6.0 as opposed to 5.2. It is much nicer and sets up on the desktop just like your MS Office suite.

Just don't see any reason to pay the Microsoft tax unless necessary. On the other hand, I am not in favor of violating anybody's license.

For a person on a tight budget, $200 for XPHome edition and the cost of MS Office (even the student edition) is expensive.

CH

03-13-2002, 08:25 AM	#28
Computer Hobbyist Member (11 bit) Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Blue Springs, MO Posts: 1,766	I'm not trying to sell the idea. Just a thought. Most colleges use Unix as their OS of choice. StarOffice is fully compatable with MS Office packages so document compatablity is not really an issue. You can set up KDE so your sister rarely if ever has to enter terminal mode. KDE looks a lot like Windows, and if you set up the icons properly she might not notice the difference. Linux is far more stable than Windows98 which likes to crash every so often. In fact it is as stable or more stable than anything Microsoft has ever released. Security is much stronger than Windows98. Since there are fewer viruses designed to attack Linux, the system is less likely to get sick. If I could easily replace the accounting and timekeeping software in my business with a Linux based versions, I would dump Windows altogether. Get StarOffice 6.0 as opposed to 5.2. It is much nicer and sets up on the desktop just like your MS Office suite. Just don't see any reason to pay the Microsoft tax unless necessary. On the other hand, I am not in favor of violating anybody's license. For a person on a tight budget, $200 for XPHome edition and the cost of MS Office (even the student edition) is expensive. CH Last edited by Computer Hobbyist; 03-13-2002 at 09:06 AM.