Sams Teach Yourself StarOffice® 5 for Linux in 24 Hours |
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Introduction |
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Writing a book about a Linux application is something new. The publication of this book marks a new step for Linux books--until now, all the books about Linux have focused on the operating system. With the incredible growth of Linux, now approaching 8 million users, books about how to use Linux applications are becoming available--starting with this one.
StarOffice is a complete office suite modeled on Microsoft Office 97. It was developed by StarDivision, a German company that has enjoyed tremendous success in Europe. StarOffice for Linux is their first venture into other parts of the world, and promises to be a boon to Linux users.
If you're familiar with Office 95 or Office 97, many of the features of StarOffice will be familiar to you. StarOffice includes advanced features such as automatic indexes, integrated drawing tools, spreadsheet database functions, chart designers, and a macro programming language called StarBASIC (although that topic isn't discussed in this book).
If you're not familiar with Microsoft Office, but you have been using Linux, you'll love working with StarOffice. It provides everything you need to create documents, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations. No more giving a presentation about Linux using PowerPoint. You can also use StarOffice as an integrated Internet tool--read email and newsgroups, browse the Web, and download from FTP sites, all within the same comfortable interface.
If you're new to Linux, this book is a great place to start. After you have Linux installed, the step-by-step approach walks you through the StarOffice installation, creating basic documents, and using the features of windows and dialog boxes. Before long, you'll be using StarOffice as your primary application in Linux.
In addition to documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, StarOffice 5 includes several major improvements over previous versions. These improvements include the following:
A complete scheduling program (similar to Microsoft Outlook) with tasks, event calendars, and pop-up reminders for recurring or one-time events.
A powerful vector-based drawing tool, StarDraw, to create drawings that can be integrated into other StarOffice documents.
Redesigned Internet access tools, including new emailing and newsgroup reading interfaces.
Improved stability, based on the latest Linux libraries (glibc), plus a new, easy-to-use installation program.
One of the highlights of StarOffice 5 is the capability to import and export Microsoft Office 97 files, so you can share work with others who aren't using StarOffice. (You can also check out the StarDivision Web site at http://www.stardivision.com for information about the Windows version of StarOffice.)
This book introduces you to the leading edge of Linux personal productivity applications. We hope you'll enjoy reading it, and maybe even make StarOffice the most-used application on your Linux system.
Nicholas D. Wells (nwells@xmission.com) is the author of several books on Linux-related subjects, including the forthcoming Sams Teach Yourself KDE in 24 Hours . After leaving Novell to join Linux-based start-up Caldera, Inc., he worked as the Director of Marketing for several years before realizing that writing about technology was more fun than selling it. He left Caldera to write and consult full-time. When he's between projects, he likes to read history books, learn foreign languages, and travel to new places with his wife, hoping to find the new best place to go diving.
R. Dean Taylor has over 14 years of channel-marketing experience in the computer industry working for companies such as Sanyo/Icon, IBM, WordPerfect, and Novell. He is currently responsible for channel marketing for Caldera Systems, Inc. Although he has extensive experience in the computer industry, this is his first experience with professional writing and has found it to be extremely rewarding. When he is not working or spending time with his wife and four daughters, you will find him on a river fly fishing. Finally, he gratefully recognizes Nicolas' generosities for space sharing on the outside of the book, for doing most of the work, and especially for his patience and guidance.
This book is dedicated to my wife, Anne, who encouraged me follow my dreams, quit my day job on a song and prayer, and start writing full-time.
--Nicholas Wells
Sams Teach Yourself StarOffice® 5 for Linux in 24 Hours |
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Introduction |
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