[wplug] Need Advice Switching From Windows to Linux

[Terence J. Golightly]

Hi Larry

Welcome to WPLUG.

On 10/28/2013 09:09 AM, Lawrence Wolfson wrote:
> Hello.  I am new to the mailing list and need some advice about moving from Windows to Linux.  The reason for the move is to avoid being trapped in the coming Microsoft plan to change from one-time software purchase to monthly fees.  I am a bit familiar with Linux having configured a Ubuntu system last year as a curiosity,
>
> My plan for Linux is to find a solid stable configuration and environment that I can keep current with a minimum of maintenance and upgrades.
>
> However, to make the change I need to find equivalently robust applications on the Linux side.  My key concern is replacing Quicken.  I plan to try Gnucash and MoneyDance.  (I know that MoneyDance has a price.)
>
> My questions are:
> 1. What flavors of Linux ought I to consider?
> For a start, I was planning to look at Fedora 19 and Mint Cinnamon.
>
There are a couple of versions of Linux Mint  15 being the latest 
cutting edge.  I personally use Linux Mint 14 (nadia) running KDE. 
Linux Mint 14 also comes with the Cinnamon desktop as you mentioned in 
your original post.  The Mate desktop is also available for LM.

> 2. Same question for desktop environments?
> For a start, I was planning to look at KDE and XFCE but am interested in looking at any that are effective and different from what I am used to in Windows.
>
After Ubuntu when Applesque  I returned to KDE after 15 years a Gnome 
user.  XFCE is a lighter weight (uses less resources) Desktop 
Environment than Unity or KDE.  I tried it out a few years back and 
found it wanting for what I liked (bells and whistles :)).  At expense 
of repeating myself:

Linux Mint comes in several flavors that I have been advised not to mix: 
KDE, Cinnamon, LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Environment) XFCE.   You can find 
an ISO for each flavor of Version 15 at Linuxmint.com.  For earlier 
versions try distrowatch.org or linuxtracker.org for bittorrents.

> 3. What are good replacements for Outlook?  I like the Outlook email and calendar.
>
I use and like Thunderbird by Mozilla.  You can download and install an 
addon that can setup and access Exchange Server accounts ExQuilla.  Nice 
addon..

> 4. What office programs or suites?
> I use MSOffice for Word, Excel and Access and write a fair amount of VBA code.  I assume that OpenOffice will be equivalent in functionality even if the implementation is different but have not looked into that yet.
>
OpenOffice (OO) is no long in development  Oracle (Larry Ellison) 
decided it was not in the best interest to continue to back/support the 
project.  The 'fork' of OO is called LibreOffice (LO).  I am not an 
aficionado, but I do use LO calc for my spreadsheet needs.  It has a 
large user community and you can get help online at their forums.


> 5. What is the best replacement for Quicken?  Am I on track with Gnucash and MoneyDance?

I used to use Quicken for balancing my check book (1995/7).  I've tried 
Gnucash some ages ago.  Too many financial terms for me.  MoneyDance I 
am not familiar with that product.

<snip>
These are my choices,  I'm sure you'll find a few differing 
opinions/suggestions.  Hope you find this helpful and remember Google is 
almost always your friend :-)

Terry Golightly
Treasurer  THE Western Pennsylvania Linux User's Group.
-- 
terencejgolightly at gmail.com