CNET Editors' review
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.
Watch the CNET video review of OpenOffice.org (Windows):
Publisher's Description
From OpenOffice.org:
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 3 includes support for Office 2007 files, improvement to the Commenting/Notes feature, multi-page views, spreadsheet collaboration, and other bug-fixes and updates.
What's new in this version:
Version 3 includes support for Office 2007 files, improvement to the Commenting/Notes feature, multi-page views, spreadsheet collaboration, and other bug-fixes and updates.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 1,874 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 151 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"why use MS Office???"
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
Free substitute for MS Office
Cons
Download is not exactly smooth, but worth the patience needed. MS OS requires an extra step to convert for read or send compatibility. Use "open with"
Summary
Don't send money when this product is free, tested and works.
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"couldn't find download on my computer!!!"
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
Eager to try, STILL.
Cons
I downloaded this product,clicked the run command. When I came to find the Office.org suite, it was no where to be seen on my computer.
Summary
This product looks great and I'm still eager to try it,but the downloading instructions are nowhere to be seen. Do I need to save file first before I run? and where has my file download gone. I would love to give this a 5 star rating, but I've not tried it yet:(
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"great features and a frustrating learning curve."
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
It truly is comprehensive productivity software. I've used the word processor, spreadsheet, and drawing components. all are jam packed with fucntionality. Now, the trick is to learn how to use it.
Cons
after a year of occasional use I still don't understand how frames work, thus I don't have as much control over how my papers are formatted (especially if I save in non open office formats such as .doc or .rtf). very frustrating.
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"Excellent alternative to Microsoft office"
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
This is an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office. I can't say enough good things about this software.
Cons
I do not have any bad things to say about this product!!!!!!!!!!
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"This program has every thing I mite need And more."
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
This is so much easier to use than some of the other program. Fast loading and easy to convert Documents.
Cons
none That I have found.
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"from one of microsoft office thinking, this is easier"
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
its more user friedly and flexiable than the strict constraints of microsoft office
Cons
haven't encountered any downside yet, same functions as office with less memory requirements
Summary
AWESOME
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"The best office software, bar none."
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
Easy to install and use.
Cons
I could not find anything negetive. It's a program that is a pteasure to use. I would be hard pressed to find anything negative with it.
Summary
Love this program and it has and still does serve me well.
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"ease of use"
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
easy to use
Cons
have not found anything I dislike about this product yet.
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"I think the product is exceptional and timely"
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
It competes aggessivly and in some cases outperforms the other major suite.
Cons
Would not install on my windows 98 system?? as of now don't know why
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"Works well!"
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 3.0
Pros
It opens up loads of file types. It's very easy to use and doesn't have the "ribbon" menus like MS Word 2007. It takes up a lot less diskspace than MS Word 2007, probably more than half saved. It's easy to install and customize.
Cons
Slow mirror download. I didn't like Java installed. Icons don't seem to differ between the files types. Opening DOCX files.. occasionally it wouldn't show the image within the file.
Summary
I really like this program, I love how you can create and export PDFs. It's been very useful ever since I found out about it and installed it. I like how it's so easy to use and it's free and it stuck with the basic interface of most programs. It could get a little bit confusing if you have been using MS WORD your whole life. I can say it's ALMOST the same as MS Word 2003, but not exactly. To me it works like MS Word 2007, but looks nothing like it. Make sure you're ready for that change.
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