mjmuk
Moderator
Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 15
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Reply with quote | #1 |
A number of comments have come in about using Open Office as a replacement for Microsoft Office. Do any Forum users have this software? Does it really present a viable alternative to the Microsoft products? If you have not come across this product before, you can find out some background information, before downloading a copy. If you don't have a Broadband connection, then you can probably find a copy on one of the monthly PC magazines CD's/DVD's. Mike M. |
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IAN
Registered: 10/02/06
Posts: 4
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Reply with quote | #2 |
I initially purchased Star Office 7 when I opted to have a full office suite. Sun Microsystems work in harmony with OpenOffice.org and basically add more bells and whistles to the OpenOffice suite. When I initially purchased Star Office it came with a disk and a handbook which I felt was a benefit at the time.
With the advent of Star Office offering version 8 and OpenOffice issuing version 2 I felt a bit more confident in accepting the OOo version. There are PDFs available giving full guides and others giving how to do information.
I found that there are some gaps in the info as, having rewritten the programmes, they are only now catching up with the guides and how to do files. However when there is a lack of clarity you can receive extremely good help from the forums. I found that some replies were almost if there was someone at the other end awaiting questions.
From my experience I suggest that you give it a good look and see what you think of it. Download it and try it will cost you NOTHING other than the time you use to evaluate the programme.
If you do not have an office suite look at this before buying Microsoft Office.
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cas194
Registered: 13/03/06
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #3 |
I have used OpenOffice (W*nd*ws and Linux versions) for many years and Star Office before that. It is excellent; I cannot recommend it too highly. |
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keyffj
Registered: 13/02/06
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #4 |
I have used Microsoft Word and Excel for my limited requirements - However I changed my computer last November and did not wish to buy the Microsoft Office for my limited requirements. I downloaded Open Office 2.00 and had no problems in the conversion from Microsoft Word and Excel. I have just upgraded to Open Office 2.0.2. Go to http://www.openoffice.org/ for information and download. This program is completely free and there are no strings attached. Keith J
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Keith J. |
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8oluf7
Registered: 25/02/06
Posts: 3
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Reply with quote | #5 |
I'm running OOo2 under both Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux.
I started using the Open Office suite when it was at version 1; version 2 is entirely adequate for my needs. Most of the features added to Microsoft Office after the 97 version are 'eye-candy' anyway.
I produce two newsletters using OOo2, both with quite complex layouts. The killer punch, for me, is the ability to export the results as a PDF. The commercial printer of the large volume newsletter loves this, as it simplifies his job. The other newsletter is put on a website in two versions, one for broadband users and the other for dial-up. Again, this is easy to set up in OOo2.
I have used the spreadsheet and presentation parts of the suite, but not as much. Again, they proved perfectly adequate for my needs.
I am recommending OOo2 to everyone faced with a choice of office software suite - its free, does all the things one is likely to need, and doesn't lock one into a proprietary file format which may be rendered obsolete as part of a company's strategy to force one to pay for expensive and unnecessary upgrades.
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