How to install Freeoffice "Softmaker" on Solus?

Djalel

Finding a good alternative to the Commercial MS office is one of the main action when switched to Linux, So are you a Solus user ? And are you looking for a MS office alternative ?
If yes you have two choices :The first is using the amazing open source Libreoffice and living free. The second, is using a MS files format compatible alternative, in this case you either should install Wps office which is no longer available as a third party package, or install Freeoffice from Softmaker using their installer shell. In this tutorial i will show you how to install it.

brent

Thanks, this was informative and I've long been tempted by softmaker. But isn't Libre Office "a MS files format compatible alternative" as well?
edit: your scholarly journal articles looked fantastic!

JoshStrobl

brent Yea, LibreOffice is also compatible with Microsoft Office formats, not to mention it's actually open source and doesn't have an EULA (unlike FreeOffice Softmaker). Some would debate how "compatible" each one is over the other 🤷

Djalel

brent This kind of you 😊.
Yeah, Libreoffice is compatible with ms file format but not at 100%.
Despite all this, I prefer the Libre Office, I like open-source software, I dislike eula software, i love living free.
Edit: I am attending a PhD in microbial biotechnology.

brent

JoshStrobl Appreciate the heads up. Not a fan of EULAs.
dbarron good point no matter which suite you use: save as default .otf at one's own risk🙂

dbarron

I haven't had problems with compatibility of either, though I tend to use only the word processor. I've had a few occasions to transfer presentation or spreadsheet files to Microsoft programs, and had no problems from LibreOffice. It's best to remember to save files in a Microsoft format before transferring them (ie export from LibreOffice beats import from Microsoft products).

Djalel

dbarron yeah, export in libreoffice is better away from importing on MS office.

dbarron

brent Oh no, save permanent copies as default office format. Only worry about exporting to Microsoft if you want to trade files with the unenlightened 🤣

brent

Djalel Still have a soft spot for Apache open office, which softmaker resembled in it's simplicity. But we all know why it's not here (rarely maintained). Agreed. Libre is fine. PS----more power to you. A phD makes you bulletproof in the job market....but it's a rough 4 years and I never had the desire after seeing those who went through it! your sacrifice will be worth it, though. Keep on keepin on.
Mods, sorry drifted off-topic.

Djalel

brent yeah, the openoffice is rarely maintained but it worth trying it. and I agree with you, the phD is another responsibility which needs more hard work, as I'm currently a science teacher.
Thanks for your support.

omats

1- For me, (with my documents in Arabic language) Libreoffice is more compatible with MS file format than FreeOffice.
2- I installed FreeOffice on my Plasma Solus, it's work itself fine, but it caused problem with icons and the DE.

Sorry for my English 😅

Djalel

omats yeah, freeoffice is a useless when it come to RTL language as arabic. by experience; Libreoffice is better away from Freeoffice; WPS office, onlyoffice when it come to writing on arabic.
And your english is good, we keep learning.

evert

Well omats. Do not feel ashamed. Your English is as 100.000 better than my Arabic. TOP.

Djalel

evert yeah; For an english speaker, learning arabic is hard but not impossible.
Arabic speakers have the ability to learn other language fastly.
I apologize for getting off-topics.