8.3:     Office productivity

Office suites

MEPIS Linux 7.0 comes with a great office suite called OpenOffice.org. This suite is a replacement for Microsoft Office®. You will find two of its components under KMenu --> Office. The other components below marked optional are available through Synaptic.

• Spreadsheet:  OpenOffice.org Calc. An advanced spreadsheet compatible with .xls files.
• Word Processor:  OpenOffice.org Writer. An advanced word processor compatible with .doc files.
• Presentation:  Optional. Used for presentations, etc. Compatible with .ppt format.
• Math:  Optional. Used for for mathematical equations.
• Draw Optional. Used to create graphics and diagrams.
• Base:  Optional. Used to create and manipulate databases.

MEPIS Wiki: OpenOffice: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org home page: http://www.openoffice.org/
Other common choices:
http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/ Linux_software#Office_Productivity

NOTE: The utility KCharSelect allows you to find unusual characters (foreign letters, symbols, etc.) and paste them to the clipboard for use in a word processor or other program. It is found by clicking KMenu --> Utilities --> More Utilities --> KCharSelect

Desktop publishing

OpenOffice.org can produce simple documents for publication, but for those that want more power and flexibility, more powerful programs are available through Synaptic.

• Scribus:  Designed for flexible layout and typesetting, and for professional quality equipment. Available through Synaptic.
  Scribus home page: http://www.scribus.net/
  
  
• Xara Xtreme:  A vector graphics editor similar to Adobe Illustrator, found by clicking KMenu --> Graphics.
  Xara Xtreme home page: http://www.xaraxtreme.org/
  Xara Xtreme tutorials: http://www.xaraxone.com/

FAX

In addition to internet options, the MEPIS Linux user has means of working with a FAX from the desktop.

• Kfax and KFaxView:  are simple FAX viewers found by clicking KMenu --> Graphics --> Fax Viewer (KFaxView) and KMenu --> Graphics --> More Applications --> Fax Viewer (KFax).
  
  
• KdeprintFax:  Available through KMenu --> Utilities --> Peripherals --> KdeprintFax. You will need to install efax as the backend, see its man page for setup.
  
  
• OpenOffice:  It is also possible to FAX directly through OpenOffice Writer.
  OpenOffice guide to printing, faxing, etc:  http://wiki.services.openoffice.org /wiki/Writer_Guide/Printing,_Faxing,_Exporting,_and_Emailing#Sending_a_fax
  

Internet FAX price comparison: http://www.faxprices.com/

PDF Viewers

• You can view your PDF files with the default KPDF, available by clicking KMenu --> Office --> More Applications --> PDF viewer (KPDF). For other PDF operations such as copying text or images, follow the link to other common choices.
  KPDF home page: http://kpdf.kde.org/
  

Other common choices: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Linux_software#PDF

Contact Manager

• MEPIS Linux 7.0 includes Kontact, a Personal Information Manager. It provides a unified user interface with your email, calendar, contacts, newsreader, journal and notes all in a single window. Kontact can be accessed by clicking Kmenu --> Office --> Kontact
  Kontact home page: http://www.kontact.org/

Organizer

• Installed by default with MEPIS Linux 7.0 is the excellent organizer KOrganizer, the calendar and scheduling component of Kontact. It is available by clicking KMenu --> Office --> More Applications --> Korganizer.
  KOrganizer home page: http://kontact.kde.org/korganizer/

Business management

Powerful business programs are available for use in MEPIS Linux, though none is installed by default. If not be available in Synaptic, they would have to be installed through other methods of software installation (see Section 7.3).

• Vtiger CRM:  Enterprise-ready open-source CRM software mainly for small and medium businesses.
  Vtiger home page: http://www.vtiger.com/index.php
  
  
• Journyx:  Employee time and expenses tracking for Projects, Billing, Payroll, etc. Free full unlimited use for up to 10 users (not open-source).
  Journyx home page: http://journyx.com/
  
  

Open-source CRM software: http://www.tech-faq.com/crm-software.shtml
Other common choices: 
http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Linux_software#Business_Management

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