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It's doubtful without the source and/or running something like Ubuntu for Android. While I respect the work put in, OpenOffice/LibreOffice are just unusable. I

It's doubtful without the source and/or running something like Ubuntu for Android. While I respect the work put in, OpenOffice/LibreOffice are just unusable. I've tried since 2007 but I've had to use Google Docs and Spreadsheets instead. I would pay a lot of money for a Linux Excel.

Tmmrn 14y ago
What's the big problem? Someone needs to write an X backend for the android system and then you should be able to run most libraries (compiled for x86) in a chroot or something.
- mappu 14y ago
  The common approach today is to run X and a VNC server inside the chroot, then VNC into it from the android userland.
- tmzt 14y ago
  There was a Java port of X posted here a few days ago, as well as a port of X.org that I did a couple of years ago. Complete source is here (http://github.com/tmzt/androix http://github.com/tmzt/androix) but building X can be somewhat tricky. I have also posted an apk here (http://db.tt/UkFlvNAm http://db.tt/UkFlvNAm) which has been tested on recent tablets (Galaxy Tab 2). I have run Abiword on this in an ARM chroot, though on much slower hardware (a T-Mobile G2).
debacle 14y ago
What makes it unusable for you? I've used OpenOffice and derivatives since 2006 on Windows, and haven't had any real problems.
ricardobeat 14y ago
Have you tried LibreOffice recently? It had a major breakthrough some time ago (a year? can't remember) that improved loading times enormously and actually made it usable.
- danmaz74 14y ago
  Personally I use LibreOffice and find it good in many use cases, but sometimes you just need Office - either for compatibility reasons, or because you need some special feature.
  - mtgx 14y ago
    But I think the real question is - do you think most people who need a Word or Excel app for whatever reason will have this kind of problem?
    - danmaz74 14y ago
      Most people no - but, for example, a company of my group tried to go fully Linux, but constantly have problems with Word documents formatting. Having that option could help a lot this kind of choices.
- wasd 14y ago
  Part of the problem is that it doesn't support all MS Office features which makes it frustrating when you're working with coworkers and clients using Office. A perfect example is smart graphs (which are non existant) and graphs look different (and bad) and then don't work on the mac version.
- UnoriginalGuy 14y ago
  Loading times weren't the issue for me. The issue is that the interface is just not "friendly." It is not always consistent with its self and little thought is given to usability. This used to be something I would be critical of the Thunderbird e-mail client for too, but that has come along massively in the last couple of years (so much so that I use that instead of Outlook, the quick filters are masterful). Ditto with GIMP (the Photoshop replacement), it has come forward leaps and bounds. There is nothing technically wrong with LibreOffice. I just wish it could match Office 1995 in terms of its interface.
- slurry 14y ago
  Big monolithic desktop apps just are not and probably never will be a strength of FOSS development. When I do use FOSS for office productivity I prefer a program with a uniquely FOSS-y take on the problem sphere (like Lyx for word processing) over one that's trying to play catchup on propretary models.
DanBC 14y ago
> I would pay a lot of money for a Linux Excel. What Excel functionality do you need?

Tmmrn 14y ago

What's the big problem? Someone needs to write an X backend for the android system and then you should be able to run most libraries (compiled for x86) in a chroot or something.

mappu 14y ago
The common approach today is to run X and a VNC server inside the chroot, then VNC into it from the android userland.
tmzt 14y ago
There was a Java port of X posted here a few days ago, as well as a port of X.org that I did a couple of years ago. Complete source is here (http://github.com/tmzt/androix http://github.com/tmzt/androix) but building X can be somewhat tricky. I have also posted an apk here (http://db.tt/UkFlvNAm http://db.tt/UkFlvNAm) which has been tested on recent tablets (Galaxy Tab 2). I have run Abiword on this in an ARM chroot, though on much slower hardware (a T-Mobile G2).

debacle 14y ago

What makes it unusable for you? I've used OpenOffice and derivatives since 2006 on Windows, and haven't had any real problems.

ricardobeat 14y ago

Have you tried LibreOffice recently? It had a major breakthrough some time ago (a year? can't remember) that improved loading times enormously and actually made it usable.

danmaz74 14y ago
Personally I use LibreOffice and find it good in many use cases, but sometimes you just need Office - either for compatibility reasons, or because you need some special feature.
- mtgx 14y ago
  But I think the real question is - do you think most people who need a Word or Excel app for whatever reason will have this kind of problem?
  - danmaz74 14y ago
    Most people no - but, for example, a company of my group tried to go fully Linux, but constantly have problems with Word documents formatting. Having that option could help a lot this kind of choices.
wasd 14y ago
Part of the problem is that it doesn't support all MS Office features which makes it frustrating when you're working with coworkers and clients using Office. A perfect example is smart graphs (which are non existant) and graphs look different (and bad) and then don't work on the mac version.
UnoriginalGuy 14y ago
Loading times weren't the issue for me. The issue is that the interface is just not "friendly." It is not always consistent with its self and little thought is given to usability. This used to be something I would be critical of the Thunderbird e-mail client for too, but that has come along massively in the last couple of years (so much so that I use that instead of Outlook, the quick filters are masterful). Ditto with GIMP (the Photoshop replacement), it has come forward leaps and bounds. There is nothing technically wrong with LibreOffice. I just wish it could match Office 1995 in terms of its interface.
slurry 14y ago
Big monolithic desktop apps just are not and probably never will be a strength of FOSS development. When I do use FOSS for office productivity I prefer a program with a uniquely FOSS-y take on the problem sphere (like Lyx for word processing) over one that's trying to play catchup on propretary models.

DanBC 14y ago

> I would pay a lot of money for a Linux Excel. What Excel functionality do you need?