www.openoffice.org
While we’re on the subject of Office & productivity programs, let’s look at a non web-based solution, OpenOffice. The actual name of the suite is OpenOffice.org but don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t an online application like Google Docs but a fully fledged productivity suite that will do everything that Microsoft Office will plus a little bit more. Don’t forget, it’s also open-source and free. The standard install comes with a word processor, complete spreadsheet solution, presentation software just like PowerPoint, a dedicated drawing application (so adding diagrams to your documents is made easier) and even a database program to fill in for Microsoft Access.
The user interface of OpenOffice will be familiar to anyone who has used Microsoft Office before, so finding your way around and getting started will be easy and while OpenOffice does have it’s own standard file extensions, you have the option to save all your files by default in a huge range of formats, including Microsoft Office so you can open all your existing files without a problem (for Office 2007 files, you can use the Office 2007 File Converter for OpenOffice too).
Also included is built-in handling of PDF files, so instead of using Adobe Acrobat (or a free alternative like CutePDF), you are able to turn your documents into PDF files (for free) as a standard option & you have access to security features on your PDF files, so you can stop others editing, printing or even opening your PDF without the right password. This is a great solution if you need an Office program with a bit more functionality than Google Docs.
23 Feb 08
4:21 pm
I had not heard of Open Office.org but it sounds really great. There are three things that catch my attention, free, open source and built in PDF file handling.
The PDF file handling alone is sufficient for me. While I, like most people, currently use Adobe Acrobat, it is such a chore having to use it as a stand alone, at least it is to me. I also don’t like that the .exe file continues to run after you’ve close the program, thus hogging memory.
This program might be well worth the try.
26 Feb 08
7:34 pm
Gotta give my support to this too. I think it’s great, and was so useful for when I first got my mac. NeoOffice for the mac is built on this, but is mac native. I think it’s great. Everyone should use it, even if they have MS Office. You can’t lose as it’s free anyway.
28 Mar 08
3:30 pm
I bought a computer a few ago, and didn’t want the expense of Microsoft Office. I heard of Open Office about a year ago, but never tried it. I loaded it on my new system, and I’m never going back. It is just great.
29 Mar 08
3:10 pm
yea openoffice is good. but if you’re used to ms office this software will look bland. not taking away anything from it… it’s free and a very good alternative so cheers!
06 Jun 08
2:36 am
OpenOffice is really nice piece of software and in my opinion it is better than MS Office.But you should disable java if you are using linux, it will be a lot faster by disabling it.