LibreOffice Online and ownCloud
Mobile Devices
The developer version does not look good on mobile devices. The iPhone showed the ownCloud web interface in Safari and allowed access to folders, files, and shares. It was possible to edit them and to provide links to others (Figure 7). Access to Activities and the Gallery worked well.
Although we were wowed by the responsive design up to this point, the positive impression faded after selecting Collabora Online. The icons for each of the files were much too large, did not scale, and did not look good even in landscape mode. Creating new documents and editing existing ones also failed to work reliably. Although we succeeded at times, the rotating loading circle displayed permanently at other times.
The results on the Android tablet were slightly better. The built-in browser had no chance whatsoever, but the Chrome app at least opened the ownCloud web interface, as well as Writer, Impress, and Calc documents. Editing was slow and prone to error, however (Figure 8).
What Remains
Although ownCloud introduced versioning in version 4, it was disabled in CODE. Precisely this feature, however, should be LibreOffice Online's unique selling point compared with others. If the developers unlock this function in the stable version, it will be the killer feature – and it even keeps an eye on quotas. By default, ownCloud never uses more than 50 percent of the free space for older file versions.
All told, the developer version left us with a positive impression. Having two proven programs work hand-in-hand is a good idea. Thanks to ownCloud, LibreOffice Online has stable underpinnings and a framework that reliably handles administrative tasks. When this issue reaches the newsstands, the first stable release of Collabora Cloud Suite should be just about released and will hopefully fix the bugs discovered in our tests. In any case, the features listed on the roadmap [9] make you want more.
Infos
- Microsoft Office Online: https://www.office.com
- Google Drive: https://www.google.com/drive
- Collabora: https://www.collabora.com
- ownCloud: https://owncloud.org
- Collabora Cloud Suite announcement: https://www.collaboraoffice.com/press-releases/collabora-and-owncloud-announce-partnership-and-release-code-for-libreoffice-online-developers
- CODE developer version download: https://www.collaboraoffice.com/code
- VirtualBox: https://www.virtualbox.org
- Transitions and animations compared with other online suites: https://www.collaboraoffice.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Online-Office-Suites-presentation-transitions-and-animations-comparison-chart.pdf
- Collabora Cloud Suite overview: https://www.collaboraoffice.com/solutions/collabora-cloudsuite
« Previous 1 2 3
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.