U of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus  

 

Star Office 5.2 and 5.1

This software package is produced by Star Division GmbH and looks a lot like a multiplatform version of MS Office ©.   In fact, it reads and writes in most MS 2000 formats, e.g. Excel ©, as well as Macintosh and others.   Because of these capabilities, it should no longer be necessary for most people to use a Mac, Windows, or NT machine simply in order to do word processing or to use a spreadsheet.   This may now be done on the department's many Linux computers in the computing labs.  

How to make it go

To get started, you will need to install StarOffice in your home directory.   Do it once, and you are set.   Here is a list of short steps, each designed to get you going quickly:

  • Is StarOffice 5.2 installed on your machine?
    • Log on to the computer and then do this:     ls -d /usr/local/Office52
     If it is found, you have version 5.2 installed.
  • Yes, StarOffice 5.2 is installed
    • For step-by-step instructions on installing StarOffice 5.2, use the version 5.2 installation tutorial.   This includes upgrades from version 5.1.
  • No, StarOffice 5.2 is not installed
    • For step-by-step instructions on installing StarOffice 5.1, use the version 5.1 installation tutorial.   Be sure to follow the V5.1 steps.
  • Usage

    • Useful Comments

    Note that in the documentation, soffice refers to the command you enter into an xterm (window) in order to run the office package, while Star Office 5.2 or StarOffice 5.2 refers to the package itself.   Also, it is now assumed that your local Star Office directory is named ~/office52.   Generally, this is where you will keep files you create.

    Version 5.1 is being phased out.   If the particular machine you use has V5.2 installed, please upgrade.   Your older files will still be readable with the new version.

    Before contacting staff with questions, please visit our Star Office FAQ page.   There is a good chance that your problem is not unique, and a solution might be found there, or in one of the links from there.

    Please contact me (Chris Cornuelle) if you have any questions, or comments on this text.

    Return to the NSF Scientific Computing Resources at MCIM homepage.