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"Good functionality, but bad functioning"
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
Good functionality
Cons
Bad functioning
Summary
Good functionality, but bad functioning
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"Limited Printing"
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
I installed the sw without any problems. Easy to add tasks, to indent/group, link, add and edit details. Great potential.
Cons
Couldn't control printing. It allows you to print a date range, but can't adjust scale so I could fit it onto say two sheets of paper. To control scaling, you have to subscribe to the commercial version ($180/yr per website).
Summary
Very usable for a single person -- without printing your gantt chart.
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"If you can open it, it's great."
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
Has most of the bells and whistles of MS Project without the hefty pricetag. It doesn't get any better than FREE!
Cons
Impossible to open without the correct Java Runtime Environment--and lots of conjuring magic spells!
Summary
Loading this was frustrating, at best. On the advice of a friend, I opened the downloaded WinZip file, extracted the contents into a new file, and clicked on one of the "jar" icons in the extracted contents to get an executable file. There are no helpful instructions to guide one through the process, since this is a beta version. For that reason, it also won't load as one of your programs in the Start menu, so you need to stash it where you can find it. Be aware that it does not open *.MPP project files as easily as promised, either. (I'm working with an ancient version of MS Project, so this may be the reason.) Finally, though OpenProj has most of the desirable features of MS Project, it seems to lack the ability to customize the columns on task entry. For those of us who want to augment the input data for the tasks we enter, we are restricted to the basics. All-in-all, though, if I didn't need to transfer files into this format, this program would be a fabulous alternative to MS Project.
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"Language settings make it unusable"
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
price (free)
Cons
- not able to set the language
- java-type interface (looks and feels quirky for Windows-users)Summary
The program looks promising, but ended up wasting my time. At least in the lastest version, v 1.4, the program can only be used in the language derived from your windows regional settings.
Now I like to use my software in English (my Windows in EN-US), but I like to use my measurements, currencies, etc according to a European default. But since my Windows regional settings are set to The Netherlands, OpenProj forces me to use this entire program in the Dutch language (a beautiful language of course, but not so practical for my project planning). Not only am I am rather uncomfortable using this type of software in another language that English, but also because I work in India where most of my colleagues don't speak any Dutch at all (duh!).
From the little testing I've done, the user interface has its quirks as well. For example, to input the time a task will take, you cannot simply use a drop down list. You have to fully write out "2 days", or - since I am forced to do everything Dutch - "2 dagen". Not very practical.
When I did manage to put in the task, I am not free to determine when the work will be done. If I want someone to do complete a task on Monday and Wednesday but work on something else on Tuesday, I need to split it into two different tasks as tasks are required to be preformed in one go of consequitive 9-to-5 workdays. Guys... it's not 1978 anymore, when everybody worked only 9-to-5's!
This software looks promising, but I won't check it again until 2010 or so, so see if these basic flaws have been fixed. -
"Resets to defaults; trashes your data. Waste of time."
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
Easy to load. Easy to open. Otherwise, useless for me. Your business must not vary from very, very rigid standards or you are sunk.
Cons
This program's standard work week is 5/40. If your business has non-standard hours, forget it. My "tasks" timelines get *reset* anytime I click them, trashing my data. The program won't "hold" any partial hour entries either.
Summary
I am still learning the program, but after an hour of self-training, the inflexible nature of this program is making me think this is a waste of time. I'll keep looking.
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"Didn't work for me"
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
It didn't reach out and kill me.
Cons
I wanted to view a MS Project file, as the description said it would do, but it didn't work. Hopefully after it's out of beta it might do this.
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"Simple and easy to use but."
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
It look like MS Project. Who familiar with MS Project will use it easily.
Cons
It so difficult to do indent task or make group of task. It will ok if we have task on same level
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"It works!"
Version: OpenProj 1.4
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"Easier to use than M$ Project!"
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Pros
I moved away from all Micro$oft products & OS 2 1/2 years ago. Micro$oft Project was my only remaining tie to M$. Now that I have discovered (and love) OpenProj, I am now 100% Micro$oft FREE!!
What a liberating feeling!
There is no reason for anyone to be held hostage by M$ any longer!
Cons
There's nothing to dislike about this M$ alternative! The best part is that it's a free Open Source Program, and it works well with Mac, M$, and Linux! (I tested it on all three).
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"Could not install on Windows Vista OS (64-bit)"
Version: OpenProj 1.4
Cons
Wasted a lot of time trying to install it.
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