Migration evaluation

[MasterRacker]

I am beginning evaluate Linux for spot migrations from Windows. (Specifically, I'm starting with Mandrake 8.1 ProSuite). For my needs choice matters much less than compatibility with Windows products so I need some opinions from those who are experienced with Linux products. Please give your opinions on the folowing:

1. Word processor and spreadsheet that have the closest look and feel to Word and Excel.
2. Word processor and spreadsheet with the best file compatibility with Word and Excel. (Other than StarOffice 5.2. Unless the Linux interface is way different than the Windows version, I'm not interested. I'll be looking at StarOffice again when 6.0 is released.)
3. What's a good WinZip equivalent?
4. What's a good WYSIWYG html editor? (I do try to code by hand as much as possible but sometimes a lot of funky formatting is easier to lay out in a WYSIWYG and then clean up the code.
5. What's a good syntax coloring text based editor (similar to EditPad for Windows.)?
6. I've never seen a mention of a virus checker. Does the Linux world just not bother?
7. What's a good Outlook like e-mail client and contact manager?

(I think that's enough to get started ;-) )
Jeff
I haven't lost my mind - I know it's backed up on tape somewhere ....

 

[wzrd]

1 /2 Well, for office applications I currently use StarOffice 6 beta. It is great, although I don't work much of it.

3. A good winzip equivalent varies on what distribution you are working on.

4. A good html editor is called "Quanta". It's not exactly a WYSIWYG, but it's very near. If you are fluent in html, it's great (even if you're not ...)

5. I used EditPad Pro before moving to linux. Most linux editors use color schemes. The Advanced Editor is good, Kate is better (it lets you have more than one open file in one window, easier file browsing and more...)

6. It's very difficult to get a virus on linux. There are only two known virii for linux. You just need to keep an eye on security updates (unless it's a standalone computer!)

7. Use KMail, Evolution, or Mozilla / Netscape Mail.


Good luck!
wzrd