“OpenOffice.org 3 is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose. (OpenOffice.org)”
Open Office is included with the Linux Distribution that I use and is also supported on Mac OS X and Windows.
I am seriously considering switching to a Linux desktop, with Open office, after I graduate since I will not need to worry about being compatible with Microsoft after that.
Terry,
ReplyDeleteI've used OpenOffice before. "Compatibility" between OpenOffice and Micrsoft Office isn't as great as they make it out to be. Lots of formatting gets lost in the transition. OpenOffice has enough features to get the job done and if you are managing spreadsheets independently or sharing them with someone else using OpenOffice, I think it would work just fine. I did find the features of their spreadsheet program lacking in comparison to Microsoft's. The only other gripe I have with the program is its size. It was a beast to download and always took up a lot of RAM when it was running. If your laptop is an older machine, that might be a problem!
Thanks for the blog and the given information. I will definitely give it a try. To be honest I never ever used different editing tool other than the Microsoft Office.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! Yea, I haven't heard of that until my girlfriend told she's been using it. However, after reading Colin comment, I'm not so thrilled about it. I would have to try it to make a judgment though.
ReplyDeleteColin makes a good point and I have noticed some compatiblity issues however, my point was that after I graduate I won't need to worry about being compatible with Microsoft. And, OpenOffice is Free.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who prefer to use the Microsoft software I was able to get a really reduced cost through the EMU website. They didn't carry the product but work with other vendors who do and the price reduction is passed on to the students. For the package I received it was priced at nearly $500 in the store and I only paid a little over $100.....big savings!!
ReplyDeleteI am in the same boat. My laptop does not have word processing application and I do not feel like going out and buying one. I will look into this open source office suite. So thank you for posting this blog, it will help me out.
ReplyDeleteOO has been my go too for quite some time for word processing, though like Terry said i have had some compatibility issues when trying to get certain text effects to remain constant through ports. I quickly learned that if i just simply saved in RTF format it was easier to just finish the text effects in whatever finalizing processor i was using that day.
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