Preparing to Install

This section covers information that's helpful to know before you install.

Getting Software and Books

If you want to obtain a CD in addition to the one in this book, use the following information.

Downloading or Ordering OpenOffice

You can download the OpenOffice.org software for free.

OpenOffice.org's Web site is http://www.openoffice.org ( at the time of writing, downloads were at http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/source/1.0.0/index.html )

CDs are available at: http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/source/download.html#cdroms.

You can obtain additional documentation and other resources from http://www.lastturtle.com.

If you're using Lindows, the operating system from www.lindows.com and sold preinstalled through Walmart, get OpenOffice.org as noted above or through the ClicknGo feature. The ClicknGo icon is circled in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1. Downloading OpenOffice.org on Lindows through ClicknGo

The Lindows download system automatically configures OpenOffice.org when you use ClicknGo; it all happens in the background so that the application is ready to go.

Note

Lindows is a combination of the easy interface of a Windows system, and the great architecture of Linux. They've got some pretty dandy deals with preinstalled systems; if you're looking at how to get the best deal for your money, it's definitely worth a trip to lindows.com, walmart.com, or just walking into Walmart.

Obtaining books and tutorials

Copies of this book and related resources are available through bookstores and online resources such as Amazon.com and SoftPro Books at http://www.softpro.com, and also at http://www.lastturtle.com.

Additional Product Installation Information

See the installation and setup guides included with the software. They are also on the CD included with this book.

System Requirements

Basically, you just need to be running Windows, Linux, or Solaris, with 128 MB RAM or more. The following information provides more detail and was correct as of publication date of this book.

64 MB is listed; this is a minimum. You'll be happier with at least 128 MB RAM.

Windows

• Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP Pentium compatible PC

• 64 MB RAM

• 250 MB available hard disk space

• 800x600 or higher-resolution graphic device with 256 colors

Solaris

• Solaris 7 Operating Environment (SPARC Platform Edition) or higher (Solaris 8 recommended)

• 128 MB RAM

• 250 MB available hard disk space

• X Server with 800x600 or higher-resolution graphic device with 256 colors

Patches are required for Solaris 7 and Solaris 8. Patches are available at http:// sunsolve .sun.com; click on the Patches link.

The required patches for Solaris 7 are: 106327-08, 106300-09 (64 bit only) or higher. The required patches for Solaris 8 are: 108434-01, 108435-01 (64 bit only) or higher.

Linux

• Linux Kernel version 2.2.13 or higher, glibc 2.1.2 or higher

• Pentium compatible PC

• 64 MB RAM

• 250 MB available hard disk space X Server with 800x600 or higher-resolution graphic device with 256 colors

Note

If you encounter installation problems, the glibc version might be the problem.. If you have problems, check http://sunsolve.sun.com/staroffice and search on linux for solutions; there is a non- verified workaround for using glibc 2.1 on that site.

Lindows

Lindows is a newly announced operating system, from www.lindows.com and sold preinstalled on computers through Walmart. Refer to the Lindows ClicknGo download system to determine the system requirements for Lindows. We recommend that you have at least 128 MB of RAM and 250 MB available hard disk space free.

What Gets Installed

To see what your options are before you commit to installation, start the installer and choose the Custom Installation. (See Figure 2-8 on page 28.) As you review it, you'll see that the standard installation doesn't install many of the text filters. If you plan to convert FrameMaker, Interleaf, or other files, use the Custom Install. Or do Standard, then go back and reinstall additional components (see Installing Additional Components on page 34).

Figure 2-8. Selecting components to install for the Custom Installation

Operating System-Specific Notes

Be sure to read these notes before you start the install.

Windows

The program sometimes does not run when there are mutations or other special characters in the login-name/ user - name or in the system directories. When you have these characters (ASCII > 127, e.g. , ¼, , etc.) in your login-name/user-name, the software won't function.

Linux

Review the following notes:

• You must mount your CD-ROM drive with Execute rights to be able to run the setup script from the CD. If you don't, a message stating "Permission denied " will appear.

  Mount it with the command:

   mount -o exec /dev/cdrom /cdrom 

  or add in the file /etc/fstab "exec" for the CD.

• If you run the client installation of the multiuser installation with ./setup , the installation can freeze. This can happen with a normal user or root. To solve this, get the latest XFree86 at http://ftp.xfree86.org/pub/XFree86/. Be sure to follow the installation instructions and system prerequisites stated on the site.

Lindows

See the support site at www.lindows.com for support notes.

The current latest Lindows version (SPX) had problems with OpenOffice.org, but installs downloaded on or after June 15th 2002 are corrected.

UNIX in general

For OpenOffice.org, you can do a non-graphical installation with the ./install command. See the installation guide included with OpenOffice.org.