Hello,

In my work place they use Windows exclusively. However, I want to use Linux at home "exclusively." In preparing my migration, can I use Open Office, and other applications that I'd use on Linux also on Windows 2000/XP computers?

Essentially, if I download Linux software on a Windows computer will it work?

Most open source software designed for Linux will not work
running Windoze. Open Office will work. Simply browse to
http://download.openoffice.org/1.1.3/index.html and select
your operating system - you must download the Windoze version.

Similarly, Mozilla Thunderbird and Firefox have versions
made for Windoze. Some other software does, also.
When you get software for Linux that has a file name
ending in .bz2, .tgz, .gz. .tar.gz or similar, it will not run
on a Windoze OS. These are compressed files. Most of
the software to run under Windoze will be in the form
of an .exe (executable) file extension.

as stated above most software is OS specific.

as for OO keep in mind that it can open, read, and save in M$ Office formats for word and excel and possibly more, those are the only two programs i use so are the only 2 i can comment on.

some other things to keep in mind with the office software does your company use any 3rd party apps that are prapriatory? most of the apps in windows can be found in the linux world so you should be ok. as your office most likely uses exchange server for its mail server i do not know what mail client to use that will alow you to connect to exchange and get all of the functionality of the shared mailing lists etc. so you will have to do some research there.

programs for viewing things all viewers are out there in linux. creating pdf files, well guess what linux does this for free without spending $750 for Adobe, etc...

VPN can be tricky. if your company uses PPtP then you will have to fight with linux to access that, but if they use IPSec your in like flint.

odds are that you will be able to use mainly linux at home unless your company uses specific custom software, then you are stuck with that choice.

Also beware, I haven't found a program that matches Excel or Powerpoint, everything else is just subpar. Perhaps look into CrossOver Office too. Unless you don't rely on a lot of spreadsheets and crap.

This is so kool.... I'm trying everything I can to get out from under Microsoft, but it's a little harder (in the beginning) than I expected. Everyone's help here, is reeeeally appreciated. I downloaded Open Office at Work today (and it works!) - my first step to Communism, Atheism, and Free Thinking. I work at a Bank they're worse than Microsoft if that's possible.

Don't over generalise. It may save some confusion in the beginning for new users but hinders them more than anything.

Those above mentioned file extensions (.bz2, .tgz, .gz. .tar.gz) are compressed archives or files, much like you have .zip on windows.

Programs like OpenOffice and some of the standalone mozilla applications run on Windows because they have been compiled to do so.
While it may help to learn your way around a few of these applications, the whole Linux migration will take some time and learning of new skills. Its not just Windows slightly modified.

Don't forget to actually use Linux because you're using a few open source applications on windows . There are thousands more waiting for you to try.

Have fun.