Online School Setup

risickwinters

Hey all, I am going back to school to SNHU (Southern New Hampshire University) for Mathematics and was wondering if anyone else had done the same but kept Solus as their main OS. I have a VM running windows but it seems buggy. From what I can tell I can use the browser version of Microsoft Office if I need to (Otherwise I just use Libre Office). Just wondering if someone else had done something similar and what their experience was, any issues or suggestions? Thanks!

buddyspencer

risickwinters I did something similar, but I needed Windows because of Skype for business.
Some of my classes were done over Skype. But most of the software I needed was working on Solus. The guys in my class were envious though cause my Intellij started twice as fast as theirs.

brent

What you are doing is taking an online math class. Can it be done in Solus? Yes. Blackboard/Canvas/Whatever learning shell SNHU uses, usually deals in .pdfs and external links. As long as your browser settings aren't too restrictive (mine are) I see no problem being cross-platform. I am.
And I have taken an online class with Solus alone.
Even if you have to do schoolwork at work (W10) it's all cross-platform.
I survive on Libre and evince at home w/no probs.. Personally I think you'll be fine.
edit: congrats on the decision to go back

risickwinters

brent buddyspencer Im using Brave as my browser and have had to open things up a bit, considering switching back to firefox just because I've had some issues with some flash applications they'd used (Why're they still using flash?!). My other option would be to dual-boot windows but I had an issue about 2 years ago where windows 10 wiped my bootdrive and I wasn't able to get into my (at that time) ubuntu partition. That's kind put the fear in me about dual booting windows.

And thanks, really excited! Information Systems previously but my GPA was a little low and if I wanna get a masters in something I need a better GPA aaaand more math.

tomocafe

buddyspencer Fortunately Microsoft is killing Skype for Business and replacing with Teams, which at least has a browser version that works decently on Linux.

brent

tomocafe buddyspencer
Those are good points you both made about the interactive (face to face) component in some online classes I did not consider. Didn't think there would be one for math but other subjects for sure. I'm glad you told risickwinters what his/her options were. Yes Flash is alive and well in many canvas/BB shells and FF is the better choice browser for educational needs, I agree. When it comes to your masters don't accept anything from yourself but a 4.0.

buddyspencer

tomocafe I know, but I am almost done studying and don't have any courses left 😃

mw42815

have you considered installing google chrome from the third party repo in the software center . it may work better than firefox browser for your online work. also office online web apps from Microsoft should work fine . other option is to install snapd and then install wps office snap. i heard some people claim WPS office has better compatibility with MS Office files than Libreoffice does. I do not know if this is true but it may be worth a shot. just type snap install wps-office in the command line terminal and enter your root password when prompted and follow the directions . you should find WPS office in the menu under the Office catergory. Good luck in school.

mw42815

oh to install snapd in Solus at the command prompt in terminal type sudo eopkg install snapd . enter your root password and follow the prompts .

Justin

mw42815 snapd is pre-installed.

mw42815

sorry for so many posts but i just thought of another option besides WPS office or Libreoffice . if you have a google account you can access the google drive/docs app online and use it as a substitute office suite . just download the files to your local hard drive when you finish typing school papers etc.

mw42815

Justin okay i forgot