(old)Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

I'm glad you included TextMaker 2002 in Puppy (MacPup 520 did anyhow)... but there are free versions of SoftMaker Suite 2008 (and pay versions of 2010) available. I also don't see PlanMaker, the spreadsheet program, anywhere in my Applications menu.

SoftMaker is the most MSOffice-compatible office I've found. Even though there are some interesting menu choices (like PlanMaker putting Insert Rows/Columns under Tables), the resulting files are much more Office-compatible than files written under Open/Libre Office or Gnome Office (Abiword, Gnumeric). I worked 3 years as Administrative Editor and Senior Editor at an epublishing company, and you wouldn't believe how much hair-tearing and screaming we got when someone sent a file in which was edited using OOo.

No disclaimer -- I am NOT paid by this company in any way.

Puppy used to have PlanMaker, several versions ago.
If I recall correctly, when PlanMaker shifted to pay-only versions, it was replaced with Gnumeric.

The free planmaker was also limited (I seem to remember it was 256 lines). This was something we were unaware of initially, Softmaker did not volunteer that info. Not sure if that has changed with the new free versions. Softmaker products are worth the money.

I prefer LibreOffice, as the price and lack of limitations is more to my liking.
Libroffice is available as an 'SFS get' in Slickpet (development of Quickpet)
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/LucidPuppyQuickpet
under Slacko (Puppy 5.3)
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/Puppy53

http://puppylinux.org/wikka/LibreOffice

Puppy Linux
Free as in Priceless

I like Softmaker software and have used it from time to time with pleasure. I opt for LibreOffice at present, however, because Textmaker can't read .wpd files, of which I have many from the days when I used Word Perfect.

From Barry:
SoftMaker Office 2008 PET
http://www.bkhome.org/blog/?viewDetailed=02435

I just came back to Puppy (due to a crappy new UEFI notebook). LuPu would not run on it, but PrePu is working great. Now I need to find .pets for my best software. And SoftMaker is tops on my list -- I have a downloaded copy of either 2008 or 2010 or both for Linux. Anyone want to help refresh my memory or lend a hand?

Try here for sfs English version. For a build with other languages, look here.

OK, I downloaded it... and it's not opening but I still have another something to try. Aren't SFS files supposed to invoke the installer automatically?

Edit: OK, I exited the browser, found the file, and it ran successfully.

Edit: Except I can't find the programs... damn I hate feeling stupid.

Convert .sfs to .pet with this.

Loading sfs often requires a reboot for you to find the program.

In the English version, it should be in /root (the default directory of the file manager).

I have confirmed that it is installed (using a visual directory)... and it is not on my menus. So how do I get it there?

What version of Puppy are you currently using? Most recent Puppies have Shinobar's SFS_Load utility, you just have to right click the SFS then select "sfs_load", and the utility will install it. If your Puppy doesn't have SFS Load, you can get it from here:
http://shino.pos.to/linux/puppy/sfs_load-1.9.9.pet
Once installed you can do as said above, or find the program at Menu > Setup > SFS Load on the fly. Make sure you save/move the SFS file to the same partition where your session file (pupsave) is located (open ROX-Filer and go to /mnt/home).
Forum thread:
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=64354
Depending on your window manager or desktop environment, you may have to type in console fixmenus and wait until the command has finished.

Running Precise Puppy 5.7.1.

I just went and checked SFS_Load and it says FreeOffice 2012 is installed... still not on the menus.

I also just installed the DEB file for SoftMaker Office 2008, and it says it installed but made a point of notifying me that it did not have a menu listing. Perhaps I could get some help with that?

zaivala wrote:

I just went and checked SFS_Load and it says FreeOffice 2012 is installed... still not on the menus.

Try this.

Thanks for the tip. Seems to have worked both for FreeOffice and my paid 2008 copy YAY.

I have my computer back from getting it restored in Milpitas, CA by ASUS... just installed SoftMaker Office 2008, and again it told me there was no menu entry. I entered the PUP to pointed me at for FreeOffice 2012... and once again, both products show up on my menus.

Whatever it is in the FreeOffice which makes the one show up grabs the other and brings it along for the ride.

Softmaker in Slackeee 5.7
"The free planmaker was also limited (I seem to remember it was 256 lines). This was something we were unaware of initially, Softmaker did not volunteer that info. Not sure if that has changed with the new free versions. Softmaker products are worth the money. Cool"

Has more than 256 rows !

To anyone interested:

SoftMaker's "Load and Help" campaign is actually over. However, the official site says:

Even after this charity campaign, the following packages stay free to download and use:

• SoftMaker FreeOffice for Windows
  SoftMaker FreeOffice for Linux
  SoftMaker Office Mobile for Android smartphones
  SoftMaker Office HD Basic for Android tablets

http://www.loadandhelp.com/en/

Basically, it means you just have to select what you wish and have the download links and free serial number sent to your email, then you can use the latest FreeOffice for free, for unlimited time.

http://www.freeoffice.com/en/

and updates are provided free, you receive a lot of messages in your mail box.
A lot means three or four a month, it's not a drama.
Softmaker is my prefered office suite, when i need one (?), only because i don't like OOo (ugly), Libre office is ok,
That is only esthetic opinion.all that is very personal.
Abiword 2.8.6 and gnumeric are enough for me, most of time. I am not a professional type-writer, excepted on the web, on this forum too.

the suites are big. and slow. available everywhere when needed, and free of charge. i load SFS when need. But a lot of Puppies are still released with a suite office included.
on my side I have Excel available in the cloud with one Drive.
Sofmaker in Hard disk Windows
Ooo too, for Windows.
Cloud Excel : download to your computer as ods (gnumeric, Softmaker, LibreOffice, Koffice, Open Office, ....and so on will recognise the extension)