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This is a pretty long post with lots of topics, but it's only becuase I have LOTS of questions and very few answers. I'm actually VERY EXCITED about long-term prospects, but I'm looking for some guidance & perhaps even some mentoring!
I'm a relatively proficient Windows user who is trying to migrate to Linux Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala. On a scale of beginner>intermediate>advanced>expert, I'd say my Windows skills are probably upper intermediate to solid advanced. I'm able to maintain my computer & network in a malware-free fashion, troubleshoot issues, perform repairs, and modify systems to do what I need them to do. As a professional real estate appraiser, I rely HEAVILY on MS Outlook, MS Office suite, Internet Explorer, Adobe PDF software, Paperport Manager, Quickbooks Pro, and WinTotal. Maybe there's a better way, but this setup works well for ME, most of the time, except for typical MS quirks...
I recently upgraded a computer with an OEM Win 7 platform and was astounded at the number of previously purchased programs that no longer work in Win 7, or work with reduced functionality. Inasmuch as the learning curve of a new OS is already on the table, the prospect of repurchasing software that I already own is really burning me up and has pushed me over the edge!!!
After much research, I have decided now is the time to commence my migration from Win to Linux! I've recently installed Ubuntu distro 9.10 "Karmic Koala" and am mostly pleased with the interface and the core programs, although I've learned my Windows skills don't mean much in Linux. After just 1 short week, I'm learning that I need to "unlearn" Windows conventions and that I have a lot more learning to do. If I can just resolve bug issues that freeze my desktop to the point of necessitating a hard reboot, I would be ecstatic! Until then, it's no worse than Windows, right?!
FWIW, I am extremely pleased with Evolution contact manager, as it is an almost perfect replica of MS Outlook; OpenOffice is certainly a capable replacement of (and probably even more versatile than) MS Office; and Firefox is at least as functional as IE was. I'm 1/2 the way there, directly out of the box!
Here's my question though...can you guys suggest some Linux programs that are direct replacements/substitutes for the aforementioned Adobe PDF software, Paperport Manager, Quickbooks Pro, and WinTotal, which are the core programs for my business?!
I need PDF software to convert with hyperlinks intact. OpenOffice does this beautifully, but virtual PDF/cups-pdf printers do not. This is a problem with e-mail & task conversion in Evolution. Is there a Linux/Ubuntu program or virtual PDF printer that converts with hyperlinks intact? What about "hacking" one of the open source programs? Can it be done? And how?
Paperport Manager is basically used as a document scanner and repository for scanned PDF docs to be merged with appraisal report docs. Occassionally, the OCR software comes in handy for conversion, but not often. Again, a Linux version of this?
Next, although Quickbrooks Pro is only one step above MS on the food chain of irritability, it probably cannot be replaced, although I'd love to. While I've found accounting programs (Gnu Cash, specifically) that will probably suffice, my accountant insists on files in Quicken or Quickbooks format. I don't really wanna replace my accountant, so maybe I need to look into Wine and run it that way? If I can get that working, maybe I can use that for my Zune music software program also? Anyone here with Wine experience?
Lastly, there is WinTotal, which is proprietary real estate appraisal software. This has got to be the 2nd most buggy program ever developed, trailing only ACI, which is the other major vendor of appraisal software. There are NO ALTERNATIVES, whatsoever, for real estate appraisal software; all appraisal software appears to be windows based ONLY!!! This is a monopoly that Bill Gates can be jealous of! Unless one of you guys is also an appraiser/linux guru who knows something fantastic that I don't know, I'm guessing this is a Wine resolution also.
...but in the back of my mind, I wish I could hook up with a programmer/developer to create Linux based appraisal software. Considering how buggy, quirky, and sluggish the windows based appraisal programs are, it seems to me that the reported reliability of Linux programs are perfect for the "SCREAMING DEMAND" of the appraisal profession!!!! I know several colleagues in my professional circle who continuously lament how unreliable their appraisal software is...but what are we supposed to do...none of us are programmers?!!!
Any of you guys expert enough to collaborate with me on developing such a huge project, or to even suggest how to get the ball rolling??? Ultimately, I see this as part of a larger step towards the "remixing" of Ubuntu into a specified set of core program "modules" geared specifically for real estate professionals in appraisal, brokerage, and/or property management. I have over 20 years experience in these professions, have utilized several real estate programs over the years, and find that I am extremely tech savvy, relative to my peer group; I believe there would be a huge opportunity to market bundled platforms specifically geared to real estate professionals and their unique software needs.
Any of you experienced Linux gurus think any of these ideas have merit? How would I move forward from this brainstorm idea? Any thoughts, suggestions, would be welcomed! Just as important, please don't overlook my Linux alternative software requests from several paragraphs ago!!
Thanks guys!
I'm a relatively proficient Windows user who is trying to migrate to Linux Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala. On a scale of beginner>intermediate>advanced>expert, I'd say my Windows skills are probably upper intermediate to solid advanced. I'm able to maintain my computer & network in a malware-free fashion, troubleshoot issues, perform repairs, and modify systems to do what I need them to do. As a professional real estate appraiser, I rely HEAVILY on MS Outlook, MS Office suite, Internet Explorer, Adobe PDF software, Paperport Manager, Quickbooks Pro, and WinTotal. Maybe there's a better way, but this setup works well for ME, most of the time, except for typical MS quirks...
I recently upgraded a computer with an OEM Win 7 platform and was astounded at the number of previously purchased programs that no longer work in Win 7, or work with reduced functionality. Inasmuch as the learning curve of a new OS is already on the table, the prospect of repurchasing software that I already own is really burning me up and has pushed me over the edge!!!
After much research, I have decided now is the time to commence my migration from Win to Linux! I've recently installed Ubuntu distro 9.10 "Karmic Koala" and am mostly pleased with the interface and the core programs, although I've learned my Windows skills don't mean much in Linux. After just 1 short week, I'm learning that I need to "unlearn" Windows conventions and that I have a lot more learning to do. If I can just resolve bug issues that freeze my desktop to the point of necessitating a hard reboot, I would be ecstatic! Until then, it's no worse than Windows, right?!
FWIW, I am extremely pleased with Evolution contact manager, as it is an almost perfect replica of MS Outlook; OpenOffice is certainly a capable replacement of (and probably even more versatile than) MS Office; and Firefox is at least as functional as IE was. I'm 1/2 the way there, directly out of the box!
Here's my question though...can you guys suggest some Linux programs that are direct replacements/substitutes for the aforementioned Adobe PDF software, Paperport Manager, Quickbooks Pro, and WinTotal, which are the core programs for my business?!
I need PDF software to convert with hyperlinks intact. OpenOffice does this beautifully, but virtual PDF/cups-pdf printers do not. This is a problem with e-mail & task conversion in Evolution. Is there a Linux/Ubuntu program or virtual PDF printer that converts with hyperlinks intact? What about "hacking" one of the open source programs? Can it be done? And how?
Paperport Manager is basically used as a document scanner and repository for scanned PDF docs to be merged with appraisal report docs. Occassionally, the OCR software comes in handy for conversion, but not often. Again, a Linux version of this?
Next, although Quickbrooks Pro is only one step above MS on the food chain of irritability, it probably cannot be replaced, although I'd love to. While I've found accounting programs (Gnu Cash, specifically) that will probably suffice, my accountant insists on files in Quicken or Quickbooks format. I don't really wanna replace my accountant, so maybe I need to look into Wine and run it that way? If I can get that working, maybe I can use that for my Zune music software program also? Anyone here with Wine experience?
Lastly, there is WinTotal, which is proprietary real estate appraisal software. This has got to be the 2nd most buggy program ever developed, trailing only ACI, which is the other major vendor of appraisal software. There are NO ALTERNATIVES, whatsoever, for real estate appraisal software; all appraisal software appears to be windows based ONLY!!! This is a monopoly that Bill Gates can be jealous of! Unless one of you guys is also an appraiser/linux guru who knows something fantastic that I don't know, I'm guessing this is a Wine resolution also.
...but in the back of my mind, I wish I could hook up with a programmer/developer to create Linux based appraisal software. Considering how buggy, quirky, and sluggish the windows based appraisal programs are, it seems to me that the reported reliability of Linux programs are perfect for the "SCREAMING DEMAND" of the appraisal profession!!!! I know several colleagues in my professional circle who continuously lament how unreliable their appraisal software is...but what are we supposed to do...none of us are programmers?!!!
Any of you guys expert enough to collaborate with me on developing such a huge project, or to even suggest how to get the ball rolling??? Ultimately, I see this as part of a larger step towards the "remixing" of Ubuntu into a specified set of core program "modules" geared specifically for real estate professionals in appraisal, brokerage, and/or property management. I have over 20 years experience in these professions, have utilized several real estate programs over the years, and find that I am extremely tech savvy, relative to my peer group; I believe there would be a huge opportunity to market bundled platforms specifically geared to real estate professionals and their unique software needs.
Any of you experienced Linux gurus think any of these ideas have merit? How would I move forward from this brainstorm idea? Any thoughts, suggestions, would be welcomed! Just as important, please don't overlook my Linux alternative software requests from several paragraphs ago!!
Thanks guys!