Alternative to OpenOffice Writer on Ubuntu Hardy Heron
Posted by: dragonblogger // Category: Technology, Ubuntu
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I am a big fan of the Ubuntu operating system but there are a ton of usability issues with OpenOffice and specifically for people who are used to Microsoft Office the OpenOffice Writer application requires a different approach. It isn’t as easy to use, things aren’t laid out, and it has some customizability but the average Windows person who converts to Ubuntu would spend too much time trying to figure these out.
I have found Abiword is a very good crossover, while it isn’t quite as powerful as Microsoft Office (and they say it isn’t as good as Writer, but I can’t find anything wrong with it) Abiword has a friendlier interface and actually bridges the gap between MS Office and Ubuntu much better than Writer in my opinion. The buttons are easier to discern, the placement is better by default and it has a closer feel to Word 2003 than OpenOffice Writer.
All I had to do to download Abiword was:
sudo apt-get install abiword
and the abiword processor installs and is available from your applications menu.
Here is a screenshot of Writer (click to enlarge)
Here is a screenshot of Abiword (click to enlarge)
Specifically I tried all of the “View” options in Writer and none of them gave me that Word feel when scrolling around a page like the default view in Abiword. That is the beauty of Linux however, there is alternatives to virtually every piece of software and most of it is open source and free to try. Now, unfortunately I have very complicated Excel Spreadsheets with vlookup tables and other formula which don’t work on the OpenOffice Excel equivalent spreadsheet. So I need to find an alternative that can translate my formula, if I can find one I will be reporting on that next.
I encourage you to give Abiword a try, if you don’t really like Writer, or you are looking for something a little simpler and with a more friendly interface. As mentioned if there are features that Writer can do that Abiword can’t, I haven’t been able to find them.
-Dragon Blogger
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Tags: Abiword, Abiword instead of OpenOffice Writer, Alternative to Office, Alternative to Writer, linux, Office replacement on Ubuntu, OpenOffice Writer, ubuntu, Ubuntu Abiword, Ubuntu Hardy Heron, Ubuntu Software, Ubuntu Word Processors, Word replacement on Linux
March 16th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
did you try “gnumeric” as an alternative for the openoffice excel? Its pretty good and I like it much better.
give it a shot. it take some getting used to in the beginning.
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September 19th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Abiword is a great alternative! It is really fast and has most of the features you expect. I only had problems saving into docs and opening them in Windows as well as importing some Word docs.
shae@Linux Forum´s last blog ..Wine’s release is late; good news?
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September 19th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Thanks, there were several good Ubuntu word like programs out there, Abiword was just the one that had the least learning curve in my opinion coming from MS Office
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November 4th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I didn’t know there was another Word Processor on Ubuntu besides Open Office Writer. I will have to try Abiword a try.
Judging from the screen shots, it looks like it would be a bit easier to get around in then Open Office Writer.
thanks for the heads up.
Ron@Raygen’s Basement´s last blog ..Cleveland Browns Possible General Manager Candidates for 2010 Season
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November 5th, 2009 at 7:29 am
No problem, Abiword is easier and more “word” like so quicker transition.
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November 28th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Why would anyone want alternative to Open Office? It’s greatest office package and it’s free.
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