2 December 2009 by Ross McLean
In the second MIE podcast I chatted to Mike Alexander of Data Pig Technologies. In a fascinating conversation we talked Xcelsius, Microsoft Access and its place in the scheme of things, and the prickly issues of Web Office and Open Source Office apps. Not to be missed!

Microsoft Master, Mike Alexander!
[podcast]http://www.methodsinexcel.co.uk/Downloads/Podcasts/20091125%20Mike%20Alexander%20on%20Xcelsius%20and%20Data%20Systems.mp3[/podcast]
Please leave some comments with any feedback about this podcast, and also any ideas for future podcasts.
Thanks and enjoy
Ross
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Tags: Access, Cloud, Data, Open Office
Categories: Podcasts •
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6 November 2009 by Ross McLean
I've just upgraded to the latest and greatest Ubuntu release, and I thought I'd take a look at what the various spread sheets install with it can do. I've got 3 on my system;Â KSpread, oOO, and Gnumeric , although I think I may have installed Gnumeric myself. Any way here are some screen shots!
First up, Kspread, wow does this suck! It's almost impossible to format the chart!

Next, Gnumeric, which was much better, but still rubbish if I'm honest (I'm actually a big fan of Gnumeric, I think it has some really useful features).

And finally, oOO, easily the best of the bunch, and the only one you could even mention in the same breath as Office, but it's still absolutely MILES behind!

So there you go, if you want to do charting stay well clear of open source spread sheets! Or have I been unfair, I'm not a skilled user of these products, am I showing that in this analysis?
Also if you know of any killer graphic (charting) apps, let us know by posting a comment. And I dont mean Tableau, or map grinder or we are human (or what ever it's called), actual charts, that my boss stands an chance of understanding!
Tags: Charts, Open Office
Categories: Charting •
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