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User reviews
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98 out of 103 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 2.0.3
Pros: I won't repeat what's been covered in Cnet's review. I'll just say that I've used MS Office for years, and I agree that OpenOffice is a credible alternative.
It is not a feature-for-feature clone of MS Office, but OpenOffice should be more than adequate for anyone who isn't using some of the more obscure or "advanced" features of MS Office.
Not that OpenOffice doesn't have plenty of advanced features of its own. I would think it's plenty capable of handling the tasks that even most business users would throw at it.
I've used OOo Writer to compose, edit, and share some fairly complex legal documents. Even editing a book manuscript, sent to me in Word format with change-tracking. I've used it on spreadsheets and PowerPoint-type presentations, and it did everything I needed it to do.
With its OpenDocument file formats, its ability to read and write MS Office files, and its PDF export, I have easily shared documents and files with users of other software and operating systems.
I'll admit some OpenOffice fans might get a little overly enthused at times, but when you get somthing this good and useful for free, it's hard not to. Anyone in need of good office software should try OpenOffice first.
Cons: Compared to MS Office and WordPerfect, OpenOffice is short on "wizards" and pre-made templates.
Not really a "con", but a note:
OOo is often pitched as a replacement for MS Office. If you plan to work with a lot of existing DOC, XLS, and PPT files, remember that MS Office file formats are proprietary. Only the latest version of Office itself can be expected to open 100% or them, 100% of the time, with 100% accuracy. If my own experience is anywhere near typical though, most users will have few or no problems.
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54 out of 57 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 2.0.4
"Five stars from a former MS Office user."
Pros: I used MS Office for years, and still have to use it at work, but I now prefer OpenOffice, and use it on my own computer. Its cost advantage is impossible to ignore, but I already had Office 2003 Pro, so that wasn't the only factor.
I save most of my work to ODF, which MS Office doesn't support. I also like OOo's ability to export to PDF, complete with bookmarks, links, and form elements. (PDF "printer" plugins only produce what can be printed on a page.) When I do need to share files with MS Office users, I have been able to do so without problem, as OOo does a good job of saving to DOC, XLS, and PPT file formats.
The learning curve is pretty short. If you've used Office, Works, or WordPerfect, it won't take long to get used to OpenOffice's interface. The help files are good, and there are some good PDF user guides on the OOo website.
OpenOffice has been rock-solid on my PC, and has been crash-resistant and trouble-free. Anyone looking for a good office software bundle would do well to try out OOo before spending money on something else.
Cons: PC novices won't find OOo as friendly as MS OFfice or Works. There are few templates included, and no "wizards" to speak of.
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50 out of 56 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 2.2
Pros: Works just as well as MS Office. Includes custom installation. MS Office goes from between $149 to $699.27. Open Office goes from between $0 to $0.
Cons: Not as well as known as MS Office. This leads to companies and teachers insisting on the use of MS Office, because they don't know there's an alternative.
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23 out of 35 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 2.0.1
"Hey, at least this is a decent free alternative to MS Office...unlike MSWorks."
Pros: Its free.
It provides users with all the same programs that MS Office provides...Excel features, Word Features, PowerPoint features, etc.
Excel and Word are in one program from what I recall.
It works with all MS Office created files.
Its an office suite that is constant over all operating systems...Windows, Mac and Linux. The same can NOT be said for MS Office. For Windows its MS Office 97, for Mac its Office 98. Windows - Office 2000, Mac Office 2001. Windows - Office XP, Mac - Office X. Windows - Office 2003, Mac - Office 2004. Linux/Unix - no versions. OpenOffice: Mac, Windows, Linux/Unix - all verison 2.0.1 :).
Cons: Its not AS functional as MS Office.
MS Office has more features and the files output are more robust than what is output from OpenOffice.org.
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31 out of 35 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: OpenOffice.org (Windows) 2.1
"Open Source, OpenDocument, and Free"
Pros: At my workplace I use MS Office 2003. At home, though, I switched to OpenOffice almost two years ago, and prefer it to its MS counterpart.
OpenOffice lets me save files in OpenDocument and PDF, and I can open, edit, and share files with MS Office users too. I've shared PowerPoint files, fairly complex Excel spreadsheets, legal documents, and even a book manuscript in Word format with change-tracking, and haven't had any problems.
I use word processing the most, and I've come to prefer Writer to MS Word in some ways (and I always liked Word). There are advantages to the way it handles styles, templates, and sections that make assembling long multipart documents easier.
My PC isn't the latest or greatest, but OOo runs fast on it, and has been stable and crash-free.
I used MS Office for a long time, but now when anyone asks, I recommend they try OpenOffice first.
Cons: None, if you're an intermediate or advanced user. PC novices will find the learning curve a little steeper than MS Office.
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