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Desktop Applications

The MDP EDaL disc has a number of standard office and general desktop applications installed. Most applications are available by clicking Start button, left hand end of the task bar, and accessing the Programs menu. Most of the packages have on-line help and/or tutorials. In some cases additional tutorials or sample files are available linked from this page. It is hoped that the packages supplied will give a fully functioning desktop environment. If you find any critical application missing please contact the MDP team with details.

Note - The packages and documentation supplied is being continously upgraded. Some items that are still being developed may be indicated (tbc) are "To Be Completed"

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Wordprocessing/Spreadsheet/Presentation - OpenOffice

OpenOffice is a suite of general purpose desktop applications which are Microsoft Office compatible. Included below are some simple introductions from the OpenOffice documentation project and sample documents. Further documentation is available on line at documentation.openoffice.org. (General Suport and information is available from support.openoffice.org)

• Writer (Wordprocessor - Word Compatible)
  • Getting Started with Writer - Sample Report (tbc)
• Calc (Spreadsheet - Excel Compatible)
  • Getting Started with Calc - Predefined Engineering Spreadsheets
• Impress (Presentation - Powerpoint Compatible)
  • Getting Started with Impress - Sample Presentation (tbc)
• Draw
  • Getting Started with Draw
• Open Office Compatibility
  • Microsoft Office -> Open Office Migration Guide

Web Browser, Mail tool - Mozilla

• Iceweasel (Web Browser) - See Application Help (F1)
• Icedove (Email Client) - See Application Help (F1)

Text Editor - Emacs

• Emacs
  • Beginner's Guide (pdf) - Reference Card (pdf)
  • See also extensive Application Help (Help)

Document Preparation - LaTeX/TeX / DTP

• Latex
  • Getting to Grips with Latex - LaTeX command reference - 'LaTeX for Wordprocessor Users' (pdf) - 'The Not so short Introduction to LaTeX' (pdf) - (See also Intro/Sample Documents [Start --> Programs --> Latex]
• Kile
  • Kile Handbook
• Xlatex
  • User Manual (tbc)
• Xdvi
  • Simple User Manual (pdf)
• Scribus
  • Simple User Manual (pdf) - Tutorial (pdf)
• Inkscape (2D [3D] illustration package)
  • Manual - Parts : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - keyboard shortcuts

Multimedia Graphics/Images

• Imagemagick (Image Processing)
  • User Manual (html)
• Gimp (Image Processing)
  • User Manual (pdf)
• Audacity (Audio player/Editor)
  • Quick Start (pdf) - User manual (pdf)
• Winff (Video conversion)
  • User manual (pdf)
• kdenlive (Video Editor)
  • Tutorial (html)
• Wink (Screen capture -> Flash)
  • Tutorial (pdf)
• Supershow (PDF (Impress/Powerpoint) -> Flash)
  • Tutorial (html)
• Xsane (Scanner Control)
  • User manual (pdf)

File Viewers

• Xpdf (PDF viewer)
  • Simple user manual
• Xdvi
  • Simple User Manual (pdf)

Project Management

• Ganttproject (Similar to MS Project)
  • Manual
• Jarnal (Collaborative Notes)
  • Manual
• Freemind (Mindmapping)
  • Manual
• Kdissert (Mindmap -> Documentation (HTML, .doc, Latex)
  • Quickstart/Manual