Re: Using Outlook Stationary in Linux

From: Andy Fraser (andyfraser31_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 12/17/04 

Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 13:07:46 +0000

In alt.linux, RC uttered the immortal words:

>> A friend of mine is considering switching to Linux. The main thing that
>> is stopping her from doing so is that she is *really* into using
>> stationary in Outlook Express. She would like to be able to view
>> stationary sent by other OE users and send email with stationary that OE
>> users could see. Are there any Linux apps that can do that or would I
>> need to run OE under WINE?

> Try www.codeweavers.com and check out crossover office. It should
> run any MS Office app.

Firstly, Outlook Express isn't an Office app. A quick search at the
Codeweavers site reveals that Outlook Express 6 SP1 is untested. They don't
seem to list other versions of OE. If Outlook can do stationary in the same
way then that would be a viable alternative but see below.
<http://www.codeweavers.com/site/compatibility/search?name=outlook+express&company=&medal=&date_start%5B1%5D=12&date_start%5B2%5D=23&date_start%5B0%5D=1970&date_start%5B3%5D=23&date_start%5B4%5D=59&date_end%5B1%5D=12&date_end%5B2%5D=17&date_end%5B0%5D=2004&date_end%5B3%5D=23&date_end%5B4%5D=59&search=1>

Secondly, there seem to be a lot of people switching to Linux and then
running Windows software in WINE, Crossover Office, VMware and similar
packages. If someone absolutely *must* have a certain Windows only app and
it's a deal breaker for them then they should look at why they want to run
Linux. Linux is an excellent OS with many excellent native apps. Running
Windows apps under Linux is not what Linux is for. Just because it can be
done doesn't mean it has to be done. It's not a free version of Windows.
There's no guarantee that software installed and run via Crossover Office
will run exactly as it does under Windows (I've seen that for myself with
IE).

Call me a purist if you want but I think a better way to go is to stay with
Windows and install Linux as part of a dual-boot system. The user can then
take their time finding Linux native apps that do what they want and switch
or decide to stay with Windows. It's their choice.

I feel that running software under emulation/virtual PC software as part of
someone's day to day routine will ultimately keep users tied to their
Windows software and if that software doesn't work 100%, is too slow or is
unstable they may start blaming Linux. 

-- 
Andy.

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