Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
Apache OpenOffice.org is the free open-source productivity suite that rivals Microsoft's Office suite, the business world's standard. OpenOffice.org is compatible with most Office documents and many other file types. Like Office, it's a collection of powerful tools, but you don't have to install all its modules. The latest version of OpenOffice.org supports Windows 8.
The OpenOffice.org installer's custom option lets users choose which Program Modules to install from Writer, Calc, Draw, Impress, Base, and Math, plus shared Optional Components. During setup, we chose to make OpenOffice.org our default program for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. OpenOffice.org comes with a lot of support in the form of Help files and other documentation as well as a huge community of users and developers. And, while its tools aren't Office clones, users who are familiar with Word, Excel, and other Office tools will find their OpenOffice.org counterparts easy to understand.
Clicking the OpenOffice.org icon produced a quick-start page that let us open documents, spreadsheets, formulas, and databases. We started with a new document in Writer, the suite's word processor. We quickly created a document and clicked Save to see our options. Writer offered 12 choices, including its proprietary ODF file format (.odt) as well as four Word standards, HTML, text, text encoded, and rich text. Not every format is completely compatible, though. Nevertheless, Writer offers as much as any top word processor. Impress is a presentation wizard, while Draw is a capable graphics editor. Calc is OpenOffice.org's Excel-compatible spreadsheet tool, and Base generates and accesses databases via the Database Wizard. Math is one of OpenOffice.org's advantages over Office: it's a standalone equation editor that can also insert formulas as objects into Writer.
One thing OpenOffice.org lacks that Office has is an integrated e-mail client like Outlook. But OpenOffice.org is compatible with a wide range of e-mail clients, including Mozilla Thunderbird, which many OpenOffice.org users recommend for use with the suite. Still, count us among those who'd like a fully integrated OpenOffice.org e-mail client. In any case, it's hard to find fault with anything OpenOffice.org does, especially since every bit of it is free.
OpenOffice.org - Get an open-source office productivity suite - Download Video Previews: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.
What's new in this version: Version 3.4.1 includes Finnish, British English, and Khmer languages and fixed extension cleanup and auto update check now re-enabled by default.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 1,946 votes
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Current version:
3.3 starsout of 48 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Stopped working after Vista"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Very easy to use without extended learning. Flexible and forgiving. Full range of "bells and whistles." While it was working.
Cons
When is was working, none.
Summary
After upgrading from Vista none of the modules would work. I do see, however, that not everyone has this problem. Downloaded and installed (after wiping program, cleaning registry and restarting) current version several times. No good. After several months of using clunky MS software I installed LebreOffice, which, I believe, uses the same core, and my problem was solved.
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"Open Office is OK for a freeware version word program"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
It does OK for a freeware.
Lacks an easy interface.Cons
not as feature rich as Word 2007, and a bit confusing to use. Seems a bit on the bloated side.
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"Solves My Problems with Win8"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Been having pains with using Win8 for 2 months since my MS'03 Office would not work on it. After expressing this pain, my daughter finally tells me about OpenOffice.org. Now I can actually use my Christmas gift with less heartburn. Saves me the forced buy Win8 was making to upgrade MSOffice. Also, I don't miss MS Outlook. I'm not a fan of that either. I really appreciate the access to this program. Works like a dream and saved all the old files I thought were lost forever. I was thinking of switching to Win7 to undo the mess Win8 created for me. I will continue to work with Win8 now. I want to thank the developer[s] of OpenOffice.org 3.4.1. If asked, I will sing their praises.
Cons
Can't find any.
Summary
The best multi-platform office productivity suite I've seen in a long time. I recommend anyone to give it a try if they are fighting the new MS Window 8. Saves time and money as well as old MS office files!
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"Seems as good as Microsoft Office"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Does everything I need Office programs to do.
Cons
Haven't found any yet.
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"A good idea"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Potential to be an excellent free program.
Cons
Keeps crashing every time I log into my computer, And when ever I try to access the program.
Summary
Need to fix the crash that happens when I open my computer and when ever I try to access the program. It all started doing this with the update back in November 2012.
Once the program is fixed then I will start using it again. -
"Hate to lose this program."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
I've used Open Office for a very long time and preferred it over the expensive alternatives. It offered everything I needed in an office suite.
Cons
Not compatible with my new computer and Windows 7
Summary
Downloaded and installed 4 times thinking my internet connection might be at fault. Started researching and found that the new version is just not up to the quality previously offered. I will miss the program but I'm in the process of exploring other alternatives.
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"who doesn't know about open office"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Its free
usable interface but it still takes some time to get used to the higher functions
highly customizable install
stable software
I prefer this over word any dayCons
it can take some time to start up
it can slow down boot time
these times depend on computer hardware as-well but they are slower than word even on my quad core
interface kinda sucksSummary
yeah download
it's very much worth your time
make sure you have a good connection its a big file -
"It is a easy to use program."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Comparable to MS Word etc.
Cons
A little hard to maneuver around the menues
Summary
I have used this program for a while and recommend it to my friends often.
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"Crash...after 8 seconds. reinstall...crash again"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
None. .......
Cons
Windows 7 is not in OS. And worse, i can not restore the old version.
No validation on OS.Summary
Stay away from it.
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"Excellent for personal use."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4.1
Pros
Similar layout to MS. Easy to use once you've found out where things are. Can do most things that MS does, and it's free.
Cons
If you use OO at home and MS at work, it will be confusing to switch back and forth because things are in different places, even though the layout looks similar.
I've heard that it may have trouble opening MS docs, but I haven't had that trouble myself, yet.
I use it on Vista, and it seems to hate Open Office -- it took me a while to get it working smoothly, but I still get asked "Do you want to open this program" whenever I start it.Summary
A great program for free.
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