linux operating system

[janela]

I have just bought my grandchildren a little computer for things like msn, internet etc, has a webcam etc. However the os is linux and the computer has works installed. The kids want to do things on the computer for school, transfer it a memory stick then take them into school. As the school has word installed as its word processing programme, and I have had problems e-mailing works documents which won't open in a computer with word installed, I wonder if they are going to have problems. These computers only have a small hard drive so installing lots of alterntive software may not be possible. before giving them the computers which are for christmas I want to make sure they are going to be right for them

[kujawski]

im pretty sure the free, open office

http://www.openoffice.org/

which works on linux systems, will be able to save/open word documents.

[ChuckFickens]

yes open office will open word ducuments (and excel)

there are also linux versions of MSN available as that was one of the other things you mentioned it will be used for.

[fo3nix]

Are you sure it's not OpenOffice? (as linked above)?

Words is a Microsoft program, and doesn't run under GNU/Linux. (Not nicely anyway.)

If it is indeed OpenOffice, then it is compatible with Word documents. And flash memory sticks will work easily too.

[fo3nix]

*Works

[janela]

Thanks for this - yes we have had openoffice downloaded for free before, its not bad but the powerpoint equivalent does not appear to be compatible with microsoft office powerpoint - I think the kids use powerpoint also. All of the schools appear to have microsoft office installed which does make it hard for folks who can't afford it

[Mac70]

If it is Open Office you can save documents in it, as Word documents. See here
http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_share_documents_be tween_openoffice_writer_and_microsoft_word.htm l

aMSN is the Linux alternative to MSN, and there are others.

[fo3nix]

oh no please keep amsn to yourself! Pidgin is the best equivalent (adium is the version for mac os x).

But anyway, you're right, the powerpoint presentation isn't totally up to scratch. But If powerpoint is needed, either get a windows machine with office, or use something else.

[janela]

Just to add an addition to this question, how much space does microsoft office take up on the hard drive, compared with openoffice. We have microsoft office on disc (original with product key), and obviously can download open office, but for the purposes of this little machine with a small hard drive space taken up would be relevant. The reason these have been bought is that they are small and easy for the kids to take about with them, but if they do not suit their needs then maybe we should think again and just get a normal laptop. My only concern really is that they should be able to have compatible software installed with the software that the schools use

[kujawski]

thing is microsoft office will not install/work on linux, unless you install some sort of emulator (as so the computer will pretend that its got windows), which will take up even more space and run a lot slower

[fo3nix]

If you want Microsoft Office, to keep it the same as with the school, you need to use Windows, not GNU/Linux.

Unless you really need a small form factor for travelling etc., perhaps you're better just getting a regular-sized laptop with a normal hard drive (not SSD), for about �300.