Here’s another batch of applications that are worth trying and using.

Aside from Mozilla Thunderbird, there’s Evolution mail client. Evolution is a GNome based mail client and is available for Linux, Windows and Mac (c/0 Novell, which is outdated). This, by far, has progressed in a way that it is almost similar to Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express. Thus making it easier to migrate from Microsoft mail clients to Evolution in terms of aesthetics.

Right now it’s current stable release is version 2.24.2 for Linux distributions. Evolution for Linux can be downloaded here, for Windows: DIP Consultants and for Mac: Novell.

Next is a desktop alternative to Microsoft project, OpenProj. It runs on Linux, Unix, Mac and Windows. It can also open Microsoft Project files making it possible and seamless to use this solution instead of MS Project.

OpenProj’s current stable version is 1.4 and is available for download from SourceForge.net.

Lastly, a modified version of OpenOffice, OxygenOffice Professional. This will come handy for those who like cliparts and templates so much. It can actually be an extension in OpenOffice or a standalone application with word processor, spread sheets, etc.

Current version for binary package is 2.4.1 and for extension is 2.6.02.

Click here for download source of OOP.

I like reading ebooks. They make me feel powerful over tons of bound pages yet lightweight. What more with being able to convert djvu of well searched references?

You see, it’s a big deal for me to keep softcopy of books in case I’d need them. It’s like a virtual library inside my bag. And this tutorial will share a glimpse on how to convert the aforementioned format to *.pdf without giving up a cent.

First, you have to have Irfanview and PDFCreator installed in your system. Then download plugins that you need from Irfanview (you can actually get an entire collection of library files but it’s up to you).

Second, open source file, in this case I used grammaire.djvu

Third, by selecting Print in File Menu, choose PDFCreator as printer. You can manipulate the settings like page size but be sure that images are still in print range. Click Print button.

Fourth, PDFCreator will initialize and time it will consume depends on how many pages needs to be handled. Then you’ll see this:

Fifth, click on Save button choose your desired directory. That’s it! Really easy. You can do it to other files you want to convert as long as they are supported by Irfanview and you can get the proper dll file for it.

As promised, here’s another batch of OpenSource applications that you may want to try.

I have been introduced to Irfanview, a freeware graphic viewer. I used it for viewing raw images I took during one of my photo sessions with my friends in La Mesa Eco Park. And to my satisfaction, the results were quite near to my expectation. But I was so glad to know that I could use Irfanview to open djvu files (djvu is a compressed file format developed by AT&T).

Why did I need one? It’s because I was desperately searching for good french books and I only stumbled upon djvu books, instead of pdf.

The adventure didn’t end there. I wished I could convert these djvu files to pdf so it wouldn’t be such a pain reading every page. For this, I recommend the PDFCreator.

PDFCreator version 0.9.6, by what its name implies, is a free tool to create pdf files (now where does Adobe Distiller stand? hehe). These two tools come in handy and with my experience as an ebook searcher, they are definitely useful.

PS: Next time, I’ll post the how-to.

Yes! It’s up for download though OO website’s release notes are not yet updated. Oh well, I just wanted to be part of the first batch to get it and install it in my pc. Weeee!

Download here.

OpenOffice 3.0 Release Candidate 1 is out!! I’m getting excited on its upcoming stable release and obviously, I can hardly wait. I always check OO org website if it’s up for download. The moment of truth will come, soon.

For now, download OO 3.0 RC 1 here.