Easy Steps to Install FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8 - OrcaCore

Easy Steps to Install FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8 – OrcaCore

This article on the Orcacore website will guide you through the process of installing FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8. Let’s begin with an introduction to FreeOffice before diving into the installation steps. This is an easy guide on how to get FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8.

FreeOffice is a comprehensive, open-source office suite and a free version of SoftMaker Office. It stands out as a compelling free office alternative. It encompasses the three core applications essential for any productivity suite: TextMaker, a free alternative to Microsoft Word; PlanMaker, a free alternative to Microsoft Excel; and Presentations, a free alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint.

FreeOffice offers touchscreen mode support and boasts excellent compatibility with a wide array of Office formats. TextMaker, in particular, offers Tabbed Document interfaces. Furthermore, FreeOffice allows users to switch between the ribbon and classic-style menus, adding to its versatility. These features collectively position FreeOffice as a strong contender. However, the free version lacks cloud integration; users requiring this functionality can opt for the paid version.

If you’re seeking an office productivity suite that mirrors the functionality of Microsoft Office without the associated cost, FreeOffice is an excellent free office alternative available across major operating system platforms. This guide will help you get FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8.

Before you begin, ensure you’re logged into your AlmaLinux 8 server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. Refer to our guide on Initial Server Setup with AlmaLinux 8 for assistance with this step.

In this guide, you will learn to install FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8 using two methods:

Method 1. Install FreeOffice by Using DNF Repo

This method involves adding the FreeOffice repository to your AlmaLinux server using the wget command:

sudo wget -qO /etc/yum.repos.d/softmaker.repo https://shop.softmaker.com/repo/softmaker.repo

Next, update the system using the following command:

sudo dnf update -y

Finally, install FreeOffice using the command below:

sudo dnf install softmaker-freeoffice-2021

Method 2. Download and Install FreeOffice with RPM Package

In this approach, visit the FreeOffice downloads page and download the latest RPM package compatible with your AlmaLinux 8 server.

sudo wget https://www.softmaker.net/down/softmaker-freeoffice-2021-1060.x86_64.rpm

Once the download is complete, install the package using the following command:

sudo dnf localinstall ./softmaker-freeoffice-2021-1060.x86_64.rpm

Launch FreeOffice

After installation, you can access FreeOffice and begin using it. Search for "FreeOffice" in your activities menu, and you should find the individual components of the suite readily available.

[Image: FreeOffice Components]

Conclusion

You have now successfully learned how to Install FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8. FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8 provides a free, lightweight office suite suitable for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It serves as a viable alternative to Microsoft Office, offering compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.

Enjoy using FreeOffice! You may also find these articles helpful:

FAQs

Is FreeOffice compatible with Microsoft Office files?

Yes, FreeOffice can open, edit, and save documents in DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX formats without conversion issues.

What applications are included in FreeOffice?

FreeOffice includes:

TextMaker (Word processor)
PlanMaker (Spreadsheet editor)
Presentations (Presentation software)

Is FreeOffice free for commercial use?

Yes, FreeOffice is free for both personal and business use, but a paid version (SoftMaker Office) offers extra features.

Alternative Installation Methods for FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8

While the provided methods offer straightforward installation paths, alternative approaches exist for installing FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8. Here are two such methods, offering different levels of control and dependency management:

1. Using Flatpak

Flatpak is a universal package manager that allows you to install applications across different Linux distributions with consistent dependencies. This can be particularly useful for software like FreeOffice that might have specific library requirements.

Explanation:

Flatpak packages contain all the necessary dependencies within the package itself, isolating the application from the system’s core libraries. This minimizes the risk of conflicts and ensures a more consistent experience across different systems.

Steps:

Install Flatpak: If Flatpak is not already installed on your AlmaLinux 8 system, install it using the following command:
```
sudo dnf install flatpak
```
Add the Flathub repository: Flathub is the primary repository for Flatpak applications. Add it to your system:
```
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
```
Install FreeOffice: Search for the FreeOffice Flatpak package and install it. While an official FreeOffice Flatpak may not exist, you can typically find community-maintained Flatpaks for similar office suites like LibreOffice, which can be used as an alternative if FreeOffice is unavailable. For demonstration, let’s assume there’s a hypothetical FreeOffice Flatpak package named com.softmaker.FreeOffice. The installation command would be:
```
flatpak install flathub com.softmaker.FreeOffice
```
Note: Replace com.softmaker.FreeOffice with the actual Flatpak ID if it exists. If FreeOffice itself isn’t available as a Flatpak, consider installing LibreOffice using flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice.
Run FreeOffice: Once installed, you can launch FreeOffice from your application menu or by using the following command in the terminal:
```
flatpak run com.softmaker.FreeOffice
```

2. Using AppImage

AppImage is another distribution-agnostic packaging format that bundles all the application’s dependencies into a single executable file. This provides a very portable and self-contained installation method.

Explanation:

AppImages are self-contained and do not require installation. They are simply downloaded and made executable. This makes them easy to deploy and remove, without modifying the system’s core files.

Steps:

Download the FreeOffice AppImage: Visit the FreeOffice website or a trusted source to download the AppImage file. The file will typically have the .AppImage extension.
Make the AppImage executable: Grant execute permissions to the downloaded file:
```
chmod +x FreeOffice.AppImage
```
Replace FreeOffice.AppImage with the actual name of the downloaded file.
Run FreeOffice: Double-click the AppImage file or run it from the terminal:
```
./FreeOffice.AppImage
```
Optional: Integrate with the system: Some AppImages offer an option to integrate with the system, creating desktop shortcuts and registering the application with the system’s MIME types. This can be done by running the AppImage with the --install flag (if supported) or by using a third-party tool like appimaged.

Code Example (making AppImage executable):

chmod +x FreeOffice.AppImage
./FreeOffice.AppImage

These alternative methods offer flexibility in installing FreeOffice on AlmaLinux 8, catering to different preferences and system configurations. Using Flatpak ensures dependency management and isolation, while AppImage provides a portable and self-contained solution. Remember to adapt the commands and package names to the specific FreeOffice version and availability on Flatpak or as an AppImage.