Linux Apps On Mac, Spreadsheets, & Rom!, The ROM for spreadsheets on Mac n' Z? Options

[Daryl Watson]

Part I - LINUX APPS ON MAC

For me, one use for the Zaurus that is a must have is a spreadsheet, that ideally I could also run on my Mac PowerPC G4. This would enable me to transfer files and open them directly on the mac, and edit, print and backup the files.

I have a copy of Microsoft Office for Mac on the computer and I'm also running Excel.

I'd like to install some spreadsheet software to test it to decide what spreadsheet to use, and subesequently, what ROM to flash my Zaurus to (I am currently waiting to receive a Zaurus 3200 from PriceJapan).

Has anybody used fink to install linux apps on their mac? Is it safe to use? Is it reliable?

Part II - SOFTWARE

I have also come across a range of spreadsheet programs that run on a Zaurus.
- Hancom Sheet (Sharp ROM)
- Gnumeric (pdaXROM)
- Open Office Spreadsheet (Mac)

Can anyone point to reviews of this software, or suggest a spreadsheet based on their experience?

PART II - ROM
I understand that the range of ROMs are:

TRIsoft ROM
SGARP ROM
Open Zaurus / Open Embedded
Open BSD
Debian
pdaXROM
Cacko ROM

FINALE!
Some suggestions I have already received are to link up to the Mac some people have suggested running:
- Open Office on the Zaurus, with Neo Office on the Mac
- Gnumeric on the Zaurus and the Mac, (on a pdaXROM)

I'm at a bit of a loss however, trying to make a decision, because:
(a) I know very little about linux and this is all rather new to me, and
( I'd like to use the software before fiddling around with the Zaurus installing it.


I'm feeling paralysed by choice - could anyone else shed light on this issue?

Regards,
Daryl

[kopsis]

Daryl,

Note that there is a much more recent version of Gnumeric in DarwinPorts. Now that you have Fink working, you should have all the prerequisites (X11User and XCode) for DarwinPorts so you may want to give that a try. It is possible for Fink and DarwinPorts to coexist but if all you're using from Fink right now is Gnumeric, you may just want to uninstall Fink before trying DarwinPorts.