MEPIS Community Forum

Yesterday I had the pleasure of helping some friends set up their new computer, a new Mac (sorry, I don't know model numbers or anything. It's OSX and named after some feline.) It went very well, even though I was in completely new territory. There is one thing that's still bothering me, though. While the machine was in the middle of a 1.6GB update, I started downloading OpenOffice, then I went shopping. When I got back it was finished the update and the download, but I was not presented with any clue about installing OpenOffice. I eventually found it and double clicking it launched the application, though always with a dialog about having downloaded it from the Internet and was I sure I wanted to run it. Very peculiar, but maybe normal for Mac, how would I know?

My question for you who are much more sophisticated and worldly than I: Is this normal, or is there some way of officially installing it and having it available in the app menu?

Man, was it frustrating not having a right click. Am I supposed to press a button while clicking?

Thanks. Me, slipping into my rhinoceros skin to endure the exposure of my ignorance.-)

One of the reasons I run Linux on my iMAC, look in the applications for an installer.

I saw something that might have been an installer. Would I run that and point it at the OO file?

I don't remember, so give this guide a try: http://www.ehow.com/how_4575710_install-openoffice-mac.html

I got it into Applications by dragging it, as it suggests in the tutorial, but it still pops up that query every time it's started. I think next time I'm over there I'll delete it and re-download it. Maybe if I'm watching it I'll have more luck. There's also the option of using LibreOffice or Neo Office.

It gives a choice of PPC or Intel. Are any of the newer Macs still PPC?

No, I don't think so, google the model number and see if you can find the specs, but it should be an Intel system.

In most cases, the downloaded installer will show up as an icon on the desktop or in the download folder under the users name on the left side of the finder window.

I would highly recommend installing NeoOffice (http://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/index.php) over OpenOffice. NeoOffice is based on OOo, but it is much better integrated with the MacOS (at least it was last time I checked out OOo for the Mac). It is very easy to install (download a dmg file, open and click on the installer), and the updates and support are really superb.

I saw that when I was getting OO, and I was thinking of trying it. Now I definitely will. Thanks.