LibraryCarpentry
In setup: CSV option to open for non-Microsoft?
How could the content be improved?
I didn't see an issue discussing this already, so ignore if it's been hashed out elsewhere. I use LibreOffice (no money to buy Microsoft) so wonder why the lesson's file to open is only an .xslx option. Is there no room to add a link to the .csv version of the file? Or is it normal practice to expect the minority of users can make do on their own working through forcing Libre to open the .xlsx file?
Which part of the content does your suggestion apply to?
setup (file to download and open)
Hi @jas58 - I'm a current maintainer but wasn't involved in the original creation of this lesson. As far as I can tell, the lesson was designed around Excel (as you noted there are many points where Excel is either directly mentioned or assumed). I've tried to move away from this in some parts, such as the tables that provide similar commands in different programs including open versions.
I don't know if the suggestion you've made - of offering a CSV version - has been considered in the past, but I appreciate the suggestion of making available an open version of the sample data. Given the current data, which has multiple sheets in the sample file, it would be difficult to make this available as a CSV. But maybe it would be possible to offer an open document format (ODF) as a recognition that not all users are starting with Excel.
Another possible approach might be instructions in the setup for those using LibreOffice or open office programs about how to open the file. Generally, it seems like this would be of similar complexity to opening a CSV, which usually requires additional calibration steps, too. I would lean toward this second option, but it would be great to hear your thoughts on this.
