OpenOffice.org (Windows) 2.4

Publisher's description of OpenOffice.org (Windows)

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OpenOffice.org is both an open-source product and a project. The product is a multiplatform office productivity suite. It includes desktop applications such as a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation manager, and a drawing program, with a user interface and feature set similar to those of other office suites. OpenOffice.org also works transparently with a variety of file formats, including those of Microsoft Office.

Localizations of OpenOffice.org are available in 27 languages, with more being constantly added by the community. OpenOffice.org runs on Solaris, Linux (including PPC Linux), and Windows. Written in C++ and with documented APIs licensed under the LGPL and SISSL open-source protocols, OpenOffice.org allows any knowledgeable developer to benefit from the source.

Version 2.4 supports connecting to WebDAV servers via HTTPS, importing custom icons for toolbars, use of a master password, relative links in PDFs, and other bug fixes and improvements.

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Editor's review of OpenOffice.org (Windows)

A credible rival to MS Office, OpenOffice.org includes powerful applications for making text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, diagrams, and databases, as well as HTML and XML documents. Not only does it let you edit basic documents, such as letters and faxes, it also handles equations and complex and multipart documents with bibliographies, reference tables, and indexes.

The interface is similar to that of MS Office, and even advanced Office users will find almost everything they're used to: templates, collaborative features (versions, recording changes), macros, and even a programming language. OOo, as it's known, lets you open and save documents in formats as diverse as MS Office formats, PDF, HTML, and XML. It can also import files from those formats, as well as WordPerfect and others. However, it normally saves files in the open-standard Oasis OpenDocument XML format, for maximum compatibility with other applications.

The latest versions of OpenOffice have seen a spurt of growth in the extensions available for the program. These include templates for professional writers, an export tool for bidirectional functionality with Google Docs, blog publishing, and others. Blog publishing assistance especially strikes us as a natural area for word processing to grow toward.

We were pleased to find that stability has improved too. No doubt about it, the multilingual and crossplatform OpenOffice.org is a compelling option for anyone in search of an alternative office suite.

User reviews of OpenOffice.org (Windows)

• Average user rating: out of 750 votes
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  OpenOffice.org (Windows)

  Good Program

  by: JoyceNgo on 23-Apr-2008 01:21:14 PM

  Pros: But I don't think I will ever get used to it. I love OpenOffice because the time I used it, it was very stable, free, and easy to use. It seems a lot less big and annoying like Microsoft Office which requires so much from you such as constant updates and annoying messages about customer feedback. If I really wanted to give feedback, I would do it myself when I wish. I hate being forced. From what I saw, it was a bit hard for me to get used to since I was so used to Microsoft Word 2003's blue and cluttered interface. And yes I still have 2003, because Microsoft Office is very expensive so I wasn't in a mood to buy a new one for the last 8 years. Overall this is a outstanding product with almost 1/3 of MS Office's regular file size, and it's very easy to install, you don't even need a CD for it. Best of all, the function of it being able to open MS office files is also a big YAY!

  Cons: None so far, just the fact that if the program is 300MB, it's basically 400MB because you need Java Runtime Environment to work and Java's plugin is about an insane 100MB for whatever reason. Terrible.

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  OpenOffice.org (Windows)

  Very good alternative and free

  by: gcasanova on 25-Jun-2008 03:13:05 PM

  Pros: I love OpenOffice.org; it is a great Office Suit with lots of possibilities and functions. It has mostly all you need in an Office package and it keeps improving.

  Cons: Visually is not as attractive as Microsoft Office.

  Latest versions added a file (setup_wrapper.exe) that is causing lots of memory problems when used with some Firewalls and antivirus such as NOD32 and Comodo Firewall Pro.

  OppenOffice.org community blames third parties for this but I believe they should fix it themselves since its something they added in version 2.4

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  OpenOffice.org (Windows)

  Just keeps getting better and better!

  by: rdg on 09-Apr-2008 11:27:14 AM

  Pros: I have been using Open Office since 2004 and have no desire or need to go back to the Microsoft suite. If you need to send an Open Office document as a Word document, Open Office will convert it for you!

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  OpenOffice.org (Windows)

  ITS FREE!!!

  by: ercferret18 on 11-May-2008 03:03:50 PM

  Pros: It may not be as good as microsoft office, but not everyone is Bill Gates, this is way better for the price...

  Cons: not as many features as ms office

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  OpenOffice.org (Windows)

  I'm loving it!

  by: jeff.114 on 24-Apr-2008 02:47:26 PM

  Pros: It is just like Microsoft Office, but it's completely free! I recommend this to anybody who uses Microsoft Office, switch to OpenOffice.org, and save yourself hundreds of dollars! ;)

  Cons: None whatsoever!

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