WARNING - WINE DOESN'T WORK WITH OFFICE 2003

[winlinnewbie]

Wine is not ready for prime time former windows users. Office 2003 can be installed, but daily use of the application continues to face multiple error or simply dead space. Linux may be free for your pocketbook but not your time.

[Vincent Povirk]

Please file individual bug reports for the problems you face, if they
do not already exist.

I should also note that CrossOver (proprietary software based on Wine;
see www.codeweavers.com) runs Office fairly well.

Vincent Povirk

[dAnIK SeNT]

Wine is not ready for prime time former windows users. Office 2003 can be
installed, but daily use of the application continues to face multiple
error or simply dead space.

Wine runs hundreds of programs perfectly and thousands of linux users (many of
them being former Windows users) are happy with it. Office 2003 is good, but
easily replaceable (OpenOffice, KOffice, Google Docs, whatever). Moreover, it
works under Wine well enough to do some simple tasks from time to time:
converting documents bloated with formatting, reviewing documents before
sending them etc - these cover 1% of Office functionality that is really
unique very good. For daily use there are native office applications.

Linux may be free for your pocketbook but not your time.

Posting so pointless yet so arrogant things may be free for you, but it's bad
for your karma.
If you have experienced problems - fill bugreports and help make Wine better.
If you want to start a flame - do it somewhere else, please.

--
Sorry, if I insulted someone by this post.
Best regards,
Danila Sentiabov aka dAnIK SeNT

[dimesio]

Linux may be free for your pocketbook but not your time.

Posting so pointless yet so arrogant things may be free for you, but it's bad
for your karma.

IMO, the writer has a point. Learning to use Linux does require an investment of time and intelligence. I found the return to be well worth the investment, but people who lack sufficient quantities of the requisite capital may be better off staying with Windows.

[winlinnewbie]

Linux users are alive:

I did file a report and I was told it was not a bug. I found Wine Bugzilla staff lacking usual support empathy. Now what?

I would suggest if you want to win mainstream Windows users, then Wine needs some work. I would suggest the other former Windows users were likely Window worl techies use to code stuff versus mainstream users.

Even so I recognize Office is 2003 is easily replaceable. But in order to convert to the light, all my files are from the dark side. Therefore Wine has to do a better job, in my humble opinion of course, to allow typical windows users access. If it fails to do so, Bugzilla and Forums types have to be ready in hand to help out. I am five day old Linux user/Ubuntu user at this point.

It is not my intention to flame. As I stated, I did file bug reports. Others should know that it is not as easy as Linux and Wine claims.

Meanwhile I remain open to learning and particularly gaining instruction by someone or a group with how to do it right. I don't have the time (even though I did) to read through reams of forums or FAQ which at times seem to conflict one another particularly between distros.

I simply stated my installation per instructions failed to deliver expectations. Bug reporting failed as well. I didn't go around insulting someone's intelligence in doing so dimesio. That's arrogance since you can't be held accountable.

I am accountable to what I stated. Currently Office 2003, from the Office Small Business 2003 CD does not work on Wine. Help! I opened, for example Outlook with the goal of importing my backed up *pst files. It immediately gives me a Word 11.0 error regarding not enough memory. I get past that and click on import and get operation failed. Word seems to work but as someone stated I can begin to use alternatives. I get 50/50 response with the other apps.

While I'm at it, I backed up my Windows world life on a Maxtor OneTouch III USB. Guess what, I can see in Ubuntu but I can't read the files. Apparently a number of Linux users have the same problem. I failed to check on this since I assume USB storage connection would be standard in Linux. I installed Maxtor Win files in Wine as a work around, only for it to fail to install at the end around 'services' or 90% installation complete with the installation CD. I have an icon for it, but it doesn't work.

I've since tried a number of GUI USB interface, in order to mount the hard drive. I've since searched for Outlook pst converters as well. The irony is that I have to go back to Windows and clean my pst, then import to Thunderbird window version then convert into Evolution - since I need a complete alternative to Outlook with mail, contacts, tasks etc.

[dimesio]

I did file a report and I was told it was not a bug. I found Wine Bugzilla staff lacking usual support empathy. Now what?

Was it perchance this one? http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=16028

BTW, there is no "support staff." Wine is a volunteer project. Users are not paying customers. There are no promises.

[austin987]

On Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 10:25 AM, winlinnewbie
<[email protected]> wrote:

Linux users are alive:

I did file a report and I was told it was not a bug. I found Wine Bugzilla staff lacking usual support empathy. Now what?

If it's the bug report already mentioned, you were asked 3 times to
provide info and failed to do so. We can't help you if you don't get
us information.

--
-Austin

[dimesio]

Does learning Windows not require an investment of time and intelligence?

Learning anything new requires an investment of time and intelligence. Staying with what is familiar does not. For people who are unable and/or unwilling to put forth the effort, the latter may well be the best choice.

[winlinnewbie]

Dimesio
It is indeed bug 16208. I understand that it is volunteer.

Austin
I replied 3x to those request asking how I to do it, regarding producing a terminal output

To both of you
I'm willing to learn, but you crack comment ain't helping anyone

[msclrhd]

Hi,

How are you launching outlook and word?

The "console" that everyone is referring to is like the command prompt in Windows. You can launch it from Ubuntu by selecting the Applications => Accessories => Terminal (see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal).

The terminal output is whatever is printed there.

If you don't understand how to launch Outlook from there, the easiest thing to do is run

wine winefile 2>&1 > output.log

This will give you an application like explorer that you can use to navigate to the office folder and double click on outlook as normal. The bit from the 2 redirects the output from the terminal to output.log - you can then attach this file. This is what everyone was telling you when they were pointing you to the FAQ.

You can also look on the Wine AppDB to see if that has your problems.

HTH,
- Reece

[DaVince]

I would suggest if you want to win mainstream Windows users, then Wine needs some work.

It's taken 15 years to get Wine somewhere good, and it can run a ton of apps nowadays. MS Office is just one of those things that heavily ties into Windows-specific things like the registry, so it'll still take more time to implement and support really everything in Windows that it needs. 'Tis a tough job, have a bit of empathy and admiration for people who actually coded it and managed it to work.

Also, I don't see why you don't just use OpenOffice.org... All those documents from the "dark side" are easily readable and importable, even the .blahx ones in OOo 3.

[John Drescher]

Also, I don't see why you don't just use OpenOffice.org... All those documents from the "dark side" are easily readable and importable, even the .blahx ones in OOo 3.

Being an administrator on a windows and linux network, I would have to
say that this can be problematic. The main reason is formatting. Even
though the file formats are readable we have found that mixing
different versions of Microsoft Office does not even work reliably. I
mean the positioning of tables, charts and graphics is not consistent
unless all users use the same version of word. Also revision tracking
does not work well across versions...

John

[austin987]

On Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 1:33 PM, winlinnewbie <[email protected]> wrote:

Dimesio
It is indeed bug 16208. I understand that it is volunteer.

Austin
I replied 3x to those request asking how I to do it, regarding producing a terminal output

We posted guides several times. Developers don't have time for
handholding like this, their time is best spent actually coding and
fixing bugs.

Google is your friend for basic issues like this.


--
-Austin

[Jim Hall]

On Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 6:50 PM, Austin English <[email protected]>wrote:

On Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 1:33 PM, winlinnewbie <[email protected]>
wrote:

Dimesio
It is indeed bug 16208. I understand that it is volunteer.

Austin
I replied 3x to those request asking how I to do it, regarding producing

a terminal output

We posted guides several times. Developers don't have time for
handholding like this, their time is best spent actually coding and
fixing bugs.

Google is your friend for basic issues like this.


--
-Austin

From what has been said, I'm guessing that making a .deb for Lenny is not as
simple as running the source through Alien?

Jim
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[Morgan Read]

On 16/11/08 02:09, winlinnewbie wrote:
...

multiple error or simply dead space. Linux may be free for your
pocketbook but not your time.

FWIW
The post seems to display a dismal understanding of the use of "free" in
free software. The writer is likely to be remain hopelessly
disappointed in the offerings of any "free" software so long as they
continue to believe that this "free" has anything to do with their
pocket or diary.

As someone once said: "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

So, dip into your pocket, mark out some pages in your diary and invest!

Morgan.

PS. For the education of "winlinnewbie" see here:
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
And note the "donate" button.

--
Getting errors: "There are problems with the signature" (or similar)?
Update your system by installing certificates from CAcert Inc, see here:
http://wiki.cacert.org/wiki/BrowserClie ... b54d9e378b
Or, if Internet Explorer is your default browser, simply click this link:
http://www.cacert.org/index.php?id=17

Morgan Read
NEW ZEALAND
<mailto:mstuffATreadDOTorgDOTnz>

fedora + freedom; fact || fiction?
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Overview
get freed-ora!
http://www.fsfla.org/svnwiki/selibre/li ... /freed-ora

[James McKenzie]

winlinnewbie wrote:

Dimesio
It is indeed bug 16208. I understand that it is volunteer.

No you don't. All OpenSource projects are run by and for volunteer
development. Wine happens to enjoy a company, CodeWeavers, that is
paying folks to make improvements to Wine. Crossover Office and
Crossover Games are their products, which provide extensions and support
for $$$. The same is true of RedHat, SuSe or any other 'commercial'
distribution of Linux.

Austin
I replied 3x to those request asking how I to do it, regarding producing a terminal output

You need to learn to search and read. We really don't have time to go
over the same subject again and again, when the Frequently Asked
Questions portion of WineHQ discusses this in magnificent detail. And
I will repeat: "Google is your friend". Learn to use it,
efficiently. Many fora will tell you this. And some will NOT be nice.

To both of you
I'm willing to learn, but you crack comment ain't helping anyone

They are not cracking comments. They are stating facts. If you want
help, you have to meet us half-way. Go through the FAQ on how to
generate terminal output, how to select it and how to post it to your
bug report. Also, take time to read what is posted here. It appears
that you want us to do all of the work and you to reap the benefit. It
does not work that way. Try pulling this with Microsoft and it can get
very expensive. When they ask you for information, it is expected that
you know how to use your computer and how to follow directions.

Here are directions:

1. Read the FAQ on how to report problems.
2. Read the FAQ on how to generate terminal output.
3. Attach your terminal output to the bug you reported.

Do not expect an instantaneous fix for your problem. I don't expect
such from software I pay for, and I really don't expect such for
software that is 'free'. I've learned to work with it as it exists
today and I do expect it to get better with time.

Please do not take this as a personal insult. It is designed to make
you become a better and smarter computer user. Sadly, Windows (since
Windows95) has made every attempt to dumb down the user. This also
leads to some fantastic problems and a massive education effort to keep
people from destroying their computers (Google Storm Worm for an example
of how stupid computer users can get and the results of their stupidity.)

Without your inputs, we cannot help you and will not be able to do
anything. Think of it this way, go to any mechanic and state "My car
will not go". They will ask you a bunch of questions. If you don't
answer them, correctly, the mechanic will throw up their arms and state
"Come back when you have the answers, I have other autos to fix."
Change that to this project and you can see the level of frustration.
There are many open problems, with the correct information, that need to
be fixed. Not providing appropriate information is at best frustrating,
at worse belligerent. You pick which one we think you are. (Hint, it is
more the latter than the former.)

Please come back when you can provide us with the information requested
from you, by multiple people, multiple times.

James McKenzie

[Andres]

Winlinnewbie: Opensource software requires reading, if you dont have time
you can:

Install Virtualbox, install you OS, install office 2003. (for daily use, and
you maybe need some .dll for wine)

And in your spare time: install latest wine and try to get to work your
apps. Dont start using the Icons!, just use Terminal to see the output.
"Buena Suerte", Andres
On Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 1:14 AM, James McKenzie
<[email protected]>wrote:

winlinnewbie wrote:

Dimesio
It is indeed bug 16208. I understand that it is volunteer.

No you don't. All OpenSource projects are run by and for volunteer
development. Wine happens to enjoy a company, CodeWeavers, that is
paying folks to make improvements to Wine. Crossover Office and
Crossover Games are their products, which provide extensions and support
for $$$. The same is true of RedHat, SuSe or any other 'commercial'
distribution of Linux.

Austin
I replied 3x to those request asking how I to do it, regarding

producing a terminal output
You need to learn to search and read. We really don't have time to go
over the same subject again and again, when the Frequently Asked
Questions portion of WineHQ discusses this in magnificent detail. And
I will repeat: "Google is your friend". Learn to use it,
efficiently. Many fora will tell you this. And some will NOT be nice.

To both of you
I'm willing to learn, but you crack comment ain't helping anyone

They are not cracking comments. They are stating facts. If you want
help, you have to meet us half-way. Go through the FAQ on how to
generate terminal output, how to select it and how to post it to your
bug report. Also, take time to read what is posted here. It appears
that you want us to do all of the work and you to reap the benefit. It
does not work that way. Try pulling this with Microsoft and it can get
very expensive. When they ask you for information, it is expected that
you know how to use your computer and how to follow directions.

Here are directions:

1. Read the FAQ on how to report problems.
2. Read the FAQ on how to generate terminal output.
3. Attach your terminal output to the bug you reported.

Do not expect an instantaneous fix for your problem. I don't expect
such from software I pay for, and I really don't expect such for
software that is 'free'. I've learned to work with it as it exists
today and I do expect it to get better with time.

Please do not take this as a personal insult. It is designed to make
you become a better and smarter computer user. Sadly, Windows (since
Windows95) has made every attempt to dumb down the user. This also
leads to some fantastic problems and a massive education effort to keep
people from destroying their computers (Google Storm Worm for an example
of how stupid computer users can get and the results of their stupidity.)

Without your inputs, we cannot help you and will not be able to do
anything. Think of it this way, go to any mechanic and state "My car
will not go". They will ask you a bunch of questions. If you don't
answer them, correctly, the mechanic will throw up their arms and state
"Come back when you have the answers, I have other autos to fix."
Change that to this project and you can see the level of frustration.
There are many open problems, with the correct information, that need to
be fixed. Not providing appropriate information is at best frustrating,
at worse belligerent. You pick which one we think you are. (Hint, it is
more the latter than the former.)

Please come back when you can provide us with the information requested
from you, by multiple people, multiple times.

James McKenzie

--
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