Collaborative workflows
Offline
Collabora also offers a complete office suite based on LibreOffice for users who don't have a server. Compared to the free original, it primarily stands out with conversion filter improvements (i.e., it converts documents into different formats in a superior way). Currently, version 5.1 is available in a 680MB Debian package for 64-bit hardware. The LibreOffice version also includes additional language packs and help texts.
Functional Overkill
Compared to a locally installed office package, the online versions offer a significantly reduced range of functions in all areas. The editing options are similar to those of a LibreOffice, but you have to considerably restrict the formatting options.
The online versions only accept DIN A4 and A5 paper formats, as well as the US letter and legal sizes. Even the formatting of inserted tables quickly reaches its limits. In terms of import and export formats, some of the less common file formats are missing. You can only download documents to your local system in four formats, the software distinguishes between text, table, and presentation formats.
A positive feature is the comment function, which is important for collaborative work. Users can access this in all documents via Paste | Comment. In a separate window, you then enter a short comment, which appears to the right of the actual document after clicking Save in the main window. The various team members' comments all appear together. This makes it easy to assign annotations to the document text, similar to the comment function in offline Office packages.
Users can track changes in the documents without difficulty. For each application, you can switch a logging function on and off via Edit | Track changes. This feature also allows you to scroll between the individual changes. This gives the user a quick overview of document versions.
At the same time, Collabora Online presents these functions in the list view on the right-hand side of the screen; a mouse click opens an area. In this way, you can immediately see all the relevant data on the current document's processing status (Figure 2) without having to click your way through complex menu hierarchies.
Google Docs
Search engine giant Google interweaves its online office package Google Docs [11] tightly with the company's many other services. The package itself consists of four components: Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, Google Presentations, and Google Forms. The Google suite is completely cloud-based. Consequently, local desktop computer clients don't exist, and on-premise installation on local dedicated cloud servers is not possible. Google only offers apps for smartphones and tablets; on stationary systems, the software runs in the web browser.
To work with Google Docs (Figure 3), you need a Google account. Once you have set up an account, you can log on to the office packages separately.
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
-
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.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.