this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Unfortunately I still have to keep a windows around for word. Colleagues are still writing papers in word with zotero citations in those and except if they setup the citation as "bookmarks" (which is not fail proof) opening and saving in libreoffice would break the citations... Office is provided by my workplace and cannot run in wine. So I have it on a laptop that I use to run specific software to interface with diverse sensors (another reason to keep windows) and RDP in it from my linux workstation.
Otherwise I've been using linux since 2005 non stop, now on Fedora silverblue since 5 years I think and I'm enjoying my days. Just today I needed to install a piece of software that required java 17, did it in a toolbox with fear of breaking other software or the system. Pretty reassuring. No dist-upgrade fear, automatic updates on, most apps as flatpak or in a toolbox, and just working. I've stopped distro hoping, customizing my DE and just use Gnome vanilla, and focus on using the pc as a tool.
At home I have a 10 years old laptop with Fedora silverblue, that I turn on when need to do some private stuff, admin mostly in the browser (Firefox of course) and even if it has been a while I can just update to the last version , thanks to atomic updates. Never had a problem.
My needs are basic so I have had always a good experience on linux distros.
Can't you use Office 365? You can run Word from your browser. Last time I checked it worked fine even in Firefox.
Not compatible with zotero citations.
For word. If you PC can handle it take a look at winboat. It will use a VM underneath but integrates seamlessly with the Linux DE.
Office is provided in managed windows pc, we are free to use Linux but then we are on our own. I will not buy an office version with my own money. So winboats, winapps and VM are not possible. I've used winapps in the past and it was pretty nice though.
That's a odd way to do things. Iam used to being able to login with my college account in the office apps and it activates office.
Anyway office is free 🏴☠️🏴☠️ Take a look at massgrave.
You should ask them to use a format that isn't inherently broken and repeatedly needs reverse engineering despite being "standard"ised.
While I totally agree, that is a great way to instantly antagonize or alienate a lot of people because you make them feel dumb.
I've done it with students but I have many collaborators and it is impossible to ask all and for some it would be unthinkable to not use word... Younger one are now moving to Google docs (where you can use zotero or other reference manager). While not perfect, that's much better.
"Could you please export your document as .odt? That .docx has issues with everything but MS-Word."
OnlyOffice deals very well with MS format files. I use it on Mac because neither Apple nor Libre handle MS files well.
I second OnlyOffice. I am not a power user of Word, but neither a novice. Things haven't broken yet and I've been editing .docx files for over a year now.
I use onlyoffice for pptx files as I had better results than with libreoffice. But I don't think there is a zotero plugin for it. Will check again as it has been a while.
It does exist! https://helpcenter.onlyoffice.com/workspace/administration/connect-zotero.aspx
Will try it on some files next week.
I haven't tried it yet, but WinApps should run MS office pretty well. https://github.com/winapps-org/winapps