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ZDNet Reviews KOffice

Posted by timothy on from the doesn't-kill-makes-stronger dept.

Spotted over at dot.kde.org -- this review of KOffice. The review isn't overwhelmingly positive or negative -- seems like a rather balanced picture of both what's up to par, and what's still missing, for mainstream acceptance in the Normal Workplaces of the world.

7 of 268 comments (clear)

  1. Link the the *whole* article.... by Teancom · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you don't like reading a three page article by starting on page two, follow the link: *click*.

  2. Re:staroffice is java based? huh? by questionlp · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to Sun's StarOffice FAQ:

    12. Is StarOffice 5.2 software written in the Java language? Will Sun rewrite the StarOffice suite in Java technology?

    StarOffice 5.2 software includes components written in the Java language, and provides the Java Virtual Machine for running software based on Java technology. However, the majority of the StarOffice 5.2 code is written in C++. Sun does not intend to rewrite StarOffice 5.2 in Java technology. The Sun Webtop architecture relies heavily on Java technology for the interaction between the browser-enabled client and the application services running on the portal.

    The FAQ can be found here: http://www.sun.com/software/star/staroffice/5.2/fa q.html#12

  3. Star Office myths by gnugnugnu · · Score: 3, Informative

    from the article:
    "KOffice is natively compiled for the machine platform on which it is executing, whereas StarOffice is a Java-based application"

    from the StarOffice FAQ:
    However, the majority of the StarOffice 5.2 code is written in C++
    http://www.sun.com/software/star/staroffice/5.2/ fa q.html#12

    Why do some many people think StarOffice is written in Java? Is it just because its from Sun?

    --
    I wish i knew how to get slashot in light mode without having to login

  4. Pretty sorry excuse for a review. by victim · · Score: 3, Informative
    The article is more of a cursory glance through the programs. To summarize...
    • RPM installation works
    • KWord can import Microsoft formats, the other programs do not. Some try and fail.
    • KWord uses a frame model for document layout rather than whatever Microsoft Word uses.
    • KWord does not have live spell and grammar checking.
    • KSpread doesn't have as many built in functions as Excel.
    • KSpread is case sensitive on function names, and maybe column names, I can't quite tell from the `review'.
    • KPresenter is `pretty basic'. He then describes it as having every feature I ever needed in a slide making package. No word of what is missing except presenter notes.
    • Kivio is python scriptable, contains built in stencils and more can designed or purchased. (From whom?)
    • KOffice is faster than StarOffice.
    • KOffice does not have VBA macros. He seemed to think this was a limitation. :-) Star Office does.
    • KOffice does not have a database application.


    Thats about all there is in the article. If it took the author more than 4 hours to produce this I would be surprised. Fortunately, the geeks can now read this synopsis instead of reading the author's wordy version. This way we will save hundreds of geek hours.

  5. Re:Why MS should be running scared. by krmt · · Score: 3, Informative

    I've never used it, but GnuCash seems to be a pretty popular Quicken alternative.

    --

    "I may not have morals, but I have standards."

  6. Re:Still no exchange klone by tzanger · · Score: 3, Informative

    Try Bynari's Insight Server which runs on Linux or Sparc and offers a fairly complete server for Outlook clients, and offers a *nix client to boot! You can share calendars, global addressing, etc.

    I tried out Bynari about 10 months ago and the installer wiped out my existing MTA and LDAP servers without warning and without any warning in the documentation. After I'd realized this I tried the software out and it still had quite a way to go.

    Thanks for mentioning them though; I will evaluate them again. Currently I'm pretty excited about Steltor's CorporateTime -- Uses an IMAP server and either your existing or an internal LDAP server coupled with their calendaring and scheduling server software. Server runs on Linux or NT; clients for Win32, Linux, Mac and web. Also includes PalmOS, WinCE and an Outlook service. Unlike Bynari, I found Steltor's support very solid and professional. Again, this may have changed with Bynari which is why I am going to re-evaluate them.

  7. Try Abiword and Gnumeric instead. by FrankieBoy · · Score: 2, Informative

    I know it's not a full suite but I've found Abiword and Gnumeric much better at translations from Micros**t documents and spreadsheets. I'm trying to replace MacOS and MS Office on 300 iMacs with Yellow Dog Linux and some kind of Office-type products and I've tried everything that I could find, KOffice and StarOffice are not cutting it.