Hi

I would like to build a list of Open Source apps which can be used instead of commonly used applications under the Win. The idea is to invite all you folks to contribute to the listing and I shall compile all the contributions and make it available as a PDF or HTML document which can be posted on the LUG website.

The reason for building this list is obvious, to showcase the list of 'alternative' available software which will enable small and large scale users to migrate to from 'grey market' stuff etc to Open Source. It will serve as a reference document which can be used by all to provide information about the availability of tons of productivity software in the Open Source arena, and to dispel the fears of open hearted acceptance.

This is an introductory email where my objective is to get feedback from you folks about the information being solicited. Do you think this is good or should there be any more information relating to the entry ? I am also including an entry as an example.

The feedback is called for in the following format (one should cut and paste the fields and include the data in the same. Title: Open Source Software Product Listing

[Date Stamp DD-MM-YY] - 01. [Application Type - Graphics, Word Processing etc] - 02. [Name of Commonly Used Application] - 03. [Bundles with] - 04. [Name of Open Source App] - 04.1. [Current Version] - 05. [Bundled with] - 06. [Price Indication] - 06.1. [Pricing comments] - 07. [Platforms Available] - 08. [Owner Website URL] - 09. [A brief note on features, comparison of the two apps] - 10. [Any known users] - 11. [Contributor Name] - 12. [Contriburot Email Address] - 13. [Personal Comments] - 14. [Any Snapshots of the application] - 15. [Interesting or Related Links with Description] - <note> please provide hyperlinks for the present and do not send any attached images which can be called for later or picked up from the URL being provided. </note>

MY EXAMPLE

[Date Stamp DD-MM-YY] - 22-02-03 01. [Application Type - Graphics, Word Processing etc] - Word Processing 02. [Name of Commonly Used Application] - Microsoft Word 03. [Bundles with] - MS Office 04. [Name of Open Source App] - Star Writer 04.1 [Current Version] - Ver 6.0 05. [Bundled with] - Star Office (includes Spreadsheet, Presentation, Graphics and Database) 06. [Price Indication] - Rs. 5,200 06.1. [Pricing comments] - Price for SarOffice Suite is 5K (single user) but for bulk licensing the price can drop by 1K or more. 07. [Platforms Available] - Windows, Linux, Solaris 08. [Owner Website URL] - http://www.sun.com 09. [A brief note on features and comparison of the two apps] - Star Writer is a full featured word processor part of the Star Office Suite. Supports XML file format, and is compatible with other office suites including Microsoft Office. Users can create new or read write and edit existing MS-Office files. 10. [Any known users] - 11. [Contributor Name] - Dinesh Bareja 12. [Contributor's Email Address] - dinesh@ideagrid.com 13. [Personal Comments] - It is great to switch over since I have all the features of a powerful word processor at hand and also have a Suite of licensed applications which give me all the applications for my business needs. 14. [Any Snapshots of the application] - 15. [Interesting or Related Links with Description] - http://www.sun.com/emrkt/whynot/staroffice.html, http://supportforum.sun.com/staroffice

I do hope that the LUGgers feel good about this and look forward to comments and feedback so I can freeze this format and go ahead with the collection.

Best wishes

- Dinesh Bareja (M) +91 98203 0159 (T) +91 22 2878 9067 |---------------------------------------------------------------------| | ======== http://www.ideagrid.com ======= | | winning strategies ! simple ideas ! | | Open Source Products, Services & Training | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|