Re: Uh Oh... Prof requires ms word format
On Sun, Jun 27, 2004 at 11:00:06AM -0400, Paul Smith wrote:
> %% cecil <xeys_00@yahoo.com> writes:
>
> c> Maybe I should get a different laptop? Is a 150 mhz machine with 2 gig
> c> hd and 32 meg ram going to be able to do the job? I'm worried now.
>
> I seriously doubt you'll be able to run Office with that amount of
> RAM... and even getting it installed (with the rest of Linux) in 2G will
> be tricky (but is probably doable with work).
You absolutely WILL NOT be able to run OO on that system. It would be
a small miracle if you were even able to get the Java VM alone to load
on there. However, last I checked MS Word has no problem opening up
regular old ASCII files. So unless you really NEED to be making charts
and use curved text with all sorts of other bells and whistles, I see
no reason that he shouldn't accept a plain old ASCII file. Just
remember that since he's a Windows user you'll have to name it *.txt
so that his system doesn't think it's an executable or who knows what
else.
As long as you're not going to be writing any extremely complex
(i.e. heavy duty number-crunching) programs, that machine should be
enough to develop on. For screenshots you can use one of the
previously mentioned methods to get a screen capture of your
console. If your prof won't accept that, you can install just
plain-old X with an xterm and an X screen capture program and call it
a day. I have run X with an xterm on a 133 with 24 MB of RAM without
TOO much trouble. It's not nearly as snappy as my 2.4 GHz box, it
works. :)
Hope that helps. FWIW, having gotten my BS a month ago, I've found
that most profs are willing to let you work in whatever environment
you want as long as you do the work and as long as they're able to
efficiently grade it. The only time this has been a problem with me
was with a prof who wanted compiled binaries as part of the submitted
assignment. For this I would run down to the lab, do a compile (and
use their printer to print source, etc) and then go to class. Best of
luck to you with your schooling and your laptop. :)
--
Alex Malinovich
Support Free Software, delete your Windows partition TODAY!
Encrypted mail preferred. You can get my public key from any of the
pgp.net keyservers. Key ID: A6D24837
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