LibreOffice (and open source software in general)

[RWD]

I've noticed a lot of threads where people mention using Excel for their financial spreadsheets. I'm sure a lot of people have access to it for free one way or another (I have access to it at work), but in general Microsoft Office is actually kind of spendy ($140 per computer for home licenses).

I have been using LibreOffice (and OpenOffice before it split) for over a decade now and have found the spreadsheet capabilities to be more than adequate for my needs. I'm sure there are some fancy features in Excel that would make things even better/easier, but I haven't missed them yet. For more in-depth financial tracking I am using GnuCash.

If you already have Excel and are comfortable with it then I don't blame you for sticking with it. But if you are trying to decide if it's worth purchasing/upgrading Microsoft Office I would recommend giving LibreOffice a try first.

Free open source software has completely replaced commercial software for my home needs. I'm running Linux as my operating system and just about everything I need can be found in the package manager.

[vhalros]

+1

I find gnucash sort of a pain in the butt (meaning I opened it up, couldn't figure out how to import data from my bank, and gave up; and I'm a guy who writes open source software), but LibreOffice is pretty good.

[Jack]

I think (or at least I hope!) that a large fraction of the folks here are using "Excel" merely as a generic term (like "Kleenex" instead of "tissue") and aren't literally paying for MS Office.

[patrickza]

Same here, my netbook now runs lubuntu and feels like a new machine. libre office flies on it even though it' 6 years old.

[Phenix]

For more in-depth financial tracking I am using GnuCash.

As an accountant, I love GnuCash!  I've been using it for my personal finances since 2012.  I look forward to the day the mobile app can sync with the desktop app via dropbox, onedrive, etc.

[Jack]

For more in-depth financial tracking I am using GnuCash.

As an accountant, I love GnuCash!  I've been using it for my personal finances since 2012.  I look forward to the day the mobile app can sync with the desktop app via dropbox, onedrive, etc.

I wish that there was a Free Software app that could sync with my bank accounts like Mint does.

[WerKater]

I have no Windows machine at home, only Linux, so I use only Libreoffice. I have access to M$ Office at work, but I usually use LibreOffice there, too.

And a big hooray for package managers. I could go crazy everytime I need to install something on Windows, which means: Google it. Download it (make sure that it is actually the real deal). Wait for download to finish. Install it (make sure it does not install all kinds of random bullshit). While installing, have to click "continue" or whatever at random points. And accept some EULA that nobody understands anyway.

On Debian usually:
aptitude search <whatever>
aptitude install <actual package name>
And everything else runs in the background and I don't need to bother about it at all.

[Jack]

I have no Windows machine at home, only Linux, so I use only Libreoffice. I have access to M$ Office at work, but I usually use LibreOffice there, too.

And a big hooray for package managers. I could go crazy everytime I need to install something on Windows, which means: Google it. Download it (make sure that it is actually the real deal). Wait for download to finish. Install it (make sure it does not install all kinds of random bullshit). While installing, have to click "continue" or whatever at random points. And accept some EULA that nobody understands anyway.

On Debian usually:
aptitude search <whatever>
aptitude install <actual package name>
And everything else runs in the background and I don't need to bother about it at all.

Indeed. For those who aren't familiar with Linux package managers, imagine something like the App Store / Google Play / Windows Store, except you don't have to log in or provide credit card info, every program is free, and none of them have ads or try to steal your personal information.

[FIRE me]

Indeed. For those who aren't familiar with Linux package managers, imagine something like the App Store / Google Play / Windows Store, except you don't have to log in or provide credit card info, every program is free, and none of them have ads or try to steal your personal information.

I switched from Windows to Linux 12 years ago today. I can't imagine going back to Microsoft.