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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 09:26:30 -0700
From: Joshua Oreman <oremanj@get-linux.org>
To: Doug Love <dlove@umuc.edu>
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On Wed, Sep 03, 2003 at 12:01:58PM -0400 or thereabouts, Doug Love wrote:
> A friend recommends your OS over Linux for my home system.
> I've taken a 2 day Linux Admin course, and know just about that much.
> I don't see a quick answer on your webpages to my questions.
> Where can I find
>    Fortran
>     Basic

Search the ports; I don't know about those languages.

>     A Database similar to Access

But without the pretty interface? Try MySQL.
With a pretty web-based interface? MySQL + phpmyadmin.

>     Spreadsheets

Gnumeric or OpenOffice spreadsheet or KSpread (part of KOffice)

>     Pkzip

There's a program called `zip' and one called `unzip' in ports.

> 
> I hear a lot about the system being a server, but all I need to do is
> browse the web and use email similar to Netscape.  How easy is it to set
> up?

Pretty easy. For Web browser use KDE Konqueror, Mozilla, Galeon, Opera, or Dillo;
for mail use KMail, Mozilla, Thunderbird (not in ports yet but should be someday),
Sylpheed, or Evolution; if you want console-based email (VERY clean but a bit...
err... different) try mutt or pine.

By your program descriptions above it seems you've come from Windows. I think
you'll find the KDE desktop most familiar (GNOME works too).

-- Josh