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.
OpenOffice.org: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 improved ODF support, including new ODF 1.2 encryption options and new spreadsheet functions and offers support for editing word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, databases, drawing, and mathematical applications.
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Installed
Smart Install - Convert JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG images to PDF files.
- Create, encrypt, and merge PDF files.
- Render PDF files within applications that support the print fun...
- View and print PowerPoint presentations.
- Convert your PDF files into various image formats.
- Recognize text from images using the open source Tesseract OCR ...
- Process documents and save them in various formats.
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- Convert image files to PDF documents.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 1,951 votes
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Current version:
3.3 starsout of 22 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Words cannot describe...how worthless this program is."
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
The fact it's easy to use is its only pro
Cons
Either I've become the worlds best speller, or it just doesn't want to correct my mistakes. I've spelt things wrong on purpose just to see if the Spell Checker worked and it counted them right. I've also lost three documents that I made using this program. All-in-all, worst program for typing.
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"it's not as friendly on windows 7 than Vista"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
It's free. Good alternative to MS Office.Will still use it on my new laptop with Windows 7.Made it easier to transfer what files I had in open office on my Vista laptop to new one with Windows 7. It did make it easier to convert the .WDB files to an Open Office file so you can use it in Windows 7 with MS Office Starter. But I have been using Open Office since it came out and very happy with it. Don't take it away.
Cons
Not as easy to make it calculate totals as MS Office. Using formulas don't seem as easy. Not able to use it with some College school programs to do reports the way THEY want it.
Summary
All in all I love Open Office and will continue to use it even though I have MS Office Starter. Open Office still offers more than MS Office Starter.It's always been dependable and always there and gives updates as needed.Great program.
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"Does the job!"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
Does every office software function that I need.
Cons
There are no cons. I don't need the bells and whistles of the OTHER office software. Nor do over 90% of the people who USE such software.
Summary
I regularly load this on all systems that I build, and have NEVER had anyone complain about operability or lack of functionality. Sometimes you get MORE than you pay for!
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"DOES NOT WORK"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
None. Absolutely nothing.
Cons
Spent HOURS downloading this piece of crap and installed it on my Windows 7 laptop. Would not go past the registration window. Thanks, OpenOffice. I'll NEVER use you or any company affiliated with you again.
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"What a great product!"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
This is free!
Cons
I haven't used all features in word so I have no cons at this time.
Summary
I needed a word processor right away and wanted to try OpenOffice before forking over big $$ for MS Office and I am impressed. Only giving software 3.5 stars just because I haven't tried all features and apps. I use MS Access and can't wait to try the database.
Thank you, Apache. -
"Excellent FREE download - very efficient!"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
don't have to pay for spendy products
Cons
can't think of any
Summary
A wonderful free download which has helped me a great deal!
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"Spyware dont use this crap"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
None this really is crap
Cons
Just installed openoffice via openoffice.org and it's filled my pc with spyware.
GO BUY MS OFFICE I AM ONCE I'VE FIXED MY PC! -
"Works great but has bad glitch"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
It does almost everything MS office for free.
Cons
half of the time I open my browser, open office 3.4 opens automatically over the top of it. As soon as they can separat the initialization code from the initialization code of IE9, I'd love to use it again. I'm even a contributor.
Summary
As soon as they can separate the initialization code from the initialization code of IE9, I'd love to use it again. I'm even a contributor.
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"good program"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
free cant conplain
Cons
non works good
Summary
great tool free is affordable
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"Contained A Virus When Downloading It To My Computer"
Version: OpenOffice.org 3.4
Pros
Program Is Very Nice To Use You Cant Beat The Price
Cons
You Have To Manually Convert Any File To .doc Unlike Microsoft Office It Automatically Does That For You The Last Time I Tryed To Download It It Came Through With A Virus
Summary
All And All I Will Give It About A 3 Out Of 5
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