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Installing Fonts,TimesNewRoman, Arial,Verdana in OpenOffice 2.4.1 in Linux

retroborg posted 2008 Oct 03 06:43

Hi, I have installed Linux Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition which comes with Openoffice.org-core 1:2.4.1-1ubuntu2 30 Jun 2008. I also installed a HP Laserjet 1100 Printer. My problem is that when I try to print an MS-Office doc or xls file that uses Times New Roman, Arial or Verdana fonts, the fonts get all messed up on paper and they're not even available in the in OpenOffice fonts menu to choose and change them. So, how can I install Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana and other MS-Office based fonts in OpenOffice 2.4.1 in Linux Ubuntu 8.04? The Windows version of OpenOffice has Times New Roman, Arial & Verdana fonts available. Thanks in advance

freebird73717 posted 2008 Oct 03 07:53

Install msttcorefonts from synaptic package manager. That will get you microsoft true type fonts for your machine. Also check this link for info on installing other fonts into Hardy Heron 8.04

retroborg posted 2008 Oct 07 01:34

Thanks for the info! I installed the MS Core Fonts in Linux: Applications-->Add/Remove Programs... Show "All available applications" And they work just fine now! By the way, is this the same procedure as "Install msttcorefonts from synaptic package manager" that you mentioned? However, now that I think about it, since these Fonts are owned by Microsoft, I can't legally install and use these fonts at work in Linux Ubuntu. Please correct me if I'm wrong! Thanks in advance.

freebird73717 posted 2008 Oct 07 07:19

retroborg : Thanks for the info! I installed the MS Core Fonts in Linux: Applications-->Add/Remove Programs... Show "All available applications" And they work just fine now! By the way, is this the same procedure as "Install msttcorefonts from synaptic package manager" that you mentioned? Yes it is. I just prefer synaptic myself so that is what I usually recommend in my replies. : However, now that I think about it, since these Fonts are owned by Microsoft, I can't legally install and use these fonts at work in Linux Ubuntu. Please correct me if I'm wrong! Thanks in advance. If you own windows liscense's for those machines then to me yes it would be legal but if you don't own win liscenses for those machines at work then no it's not legal. I'm not 100% sure on this as I am no lawyer but that is how I see things.

AlanHK posted 2008 Oct 07 08:57

retroborg : However, now that I think about it, since these Fonts are owned by Microsoft, I can't legally install and use these fonts at work in Linux Ubuntu. Yes you can. See http://corefonts.sourceforge.net/ : Microsoft pulls their fonts from their site. Fortunately, according to the End User License Agreement and the faq I have the right to redistribute the fonts in unaltered form. MS originally released these as "freely redistributable", and they can't revoke that. You can use them on any machine, any OS, make copies of them.

freebird73717 posted 2008 Oct 07 09:26

Hey Alan that is great to know. I just assumed it was like anything from microsoft. If you don't own a license you can't use it.

retroborg posted 2008 Oct 13 04:55

Ok, so far I learned how to install Microsoft's Core Fonts package using the following 3 methods: 1. Install msttcorefonts from synaptic package manager. 2. Install the MS Core Fonts in Linux: Applications-->Add/Remove Programs... Show "All available applications" 3. Install from command line: sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts However, using all these methods the fonts are automatically downloaded from sourceforge.net and then extracted to the Fonts folder in Linux Ubuntu. I would like to do it manually by placing the original unmodified MS Core fonts *.iff to the fonts folder in Linux my self. I searched the web and found the original unmodified Fonts (distributed freely by Microsoft long time ago) from here: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=34153 http://web.nickshanks.com/typography/corefonts But they’re for Windows based O/S (*.exe files) Where can I get the original unmodified *.tff MS Core fonts for Linux? It is mentioned in Microsoft’s site that they can freely be used as long as they’re not modified! http://www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq8.htm http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fontpack/eula.htm However, I have one query; since they’re called “TrueType core fonts for the Web” does that mean that they can only be used freely for web-based developing and not for Linux / OpenOffice as well? Thanks in advance.

AlanHK posted 2008 Oct 13 06:14

retroborg : But they're for Windows based O/S (*.exe files) Where can I get the original unmodified *.tff MS Core fonts for Linux? MS originally distributed them in that form, exe files. And to stick to the letter of the licensing, anyone can distribute them, in that same form. So it's not kosher to make the ttfs (I assume that's what you're talking about, not .tff) available. That's why the various legal methods of installing in Linux take the exe files and extract the ttfs on your system. (Did you think these installers use exe files in Linux just for fun?) If you want to do it manually, use Cabextract on the exe files. (Actually, many archiving programs can do this, eg in Windows, Winrar.) retroborg : However, I have one query; since they're called "TrueType core fonts for the Web" does that mean that they can only be used freely for web-based developing and not for Linux / OpenOffice as well? That's just a name. There's nothing in the EULA that limits what you can do with them, only on how you distribute them. (Same as for any fonts, actually.)

retroborg posted 2008 Oct 13 10:18

Ok, The only remaining question is whether these *.exe files from here: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=34153&package_id=56408 http://web.nickshanks.com/typography/corefonts Are these actually the original unmodified Fonts that were distributed freely by Microsoft long time ago? Also in the EULA it says that they're freely distributed within the USA,but what about other countries in the EU? Can they also be used freely in the EU in a working environment as well? http://www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq8.htm http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fontpack/eula.htm If you acquired this product in the United States, this EULA is governed by the laws of the State of Washington. If this product was acquired outside the United States, then local laws may apply. Should you have any questions concerning this EULA, or if you desire to contact Microsoft for any reason, please contact the Microsoft subsidiary serving your country Thanks in advance Sorry for being so picky about all this stuff, but I wanted to install these fonts and use them at work (Linux/OpenOffice), so I want to be 100% legal. Thanks in advance.

AlanHK posted 2008 Oct 13 11:56

retroborg : Ok, The only remaining question is whether these *.exe files from here: http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...group_id=34153 http://web.nickshanks.com/typography/corefonts Are these actually the original unmodified Fonts that were distributed freely by Microsoft long time ago? That's what it says at the sites. And if they weren't, I think Microsoft might have done something about it by now. : Also in the EULA it says that they're freely distributed within the USA,but what about other countries in the EU? I can't see anything about a geographical limitation on the licence. I really don't know why you're so nervous about this. The core fonts have been packaged for Linux for several years, and no one has raised an eyebrow at the legality. This is not warez, it's Sourceforge. They're legit. http://alexandria.wiki.sourceforge.net/Terms+of+Use

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