I'm a brand new linux explorer, running 12.04 on a Dell 1725 laptop as a virtual machine under VMplayer. I'm particularly interested in the Writer app as a replacement for my ever more expensive present word processor. But, I cannot do the most basic thing! When I call up Writer from the left hand verical icon list, I get an app that consumes about one-third of the VM window, making the text way too small for my old eyes. I've sought handles etc. that might allow me to "stretch" it to occupy the available space, but no luck. I stress that this is in print mode - not full screen - since the former has the toolbars I need. What's the solution folks?

I would encourage you to dual-boot Ubuntu 12.04 with your Windows installation. I know, it can be scary the first time, but I did that 3 years ago and I have never looked back. It gives you control of the window size and text size (means a lot to me - I'm 79 years old) and with the two OSs on the same computer you can moves files back and forth with ease. There are plenty of help threads to coax you along in the installation, and it is a significantly easier process now than it was even as little as three years ago.

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A couple of things. First, it would be useful to know what flavor of Linux you're running. That could help us diagnose the problem. Second, LibreOffice also has Windows and Macintosh versions, so you could get a feel for it on other platforms while you learn your way around linux.

I read this as a problem with VM Player, not with Libre Office......
panther*; Do you have issues with any other applications in the VM window? Do you have all the correct functions with the overall Linux window?

Recentlym many people have been recommending Virtualization as an alternate to dual-boot. I still like dual-boot.