Open Office Software Suite

[jay_merrill]

I have played with the openoffice.org software suite a couple of times but have never switched to it, because I am not convinced that the claimed compatibility with Microsoft Office products, is realy all that solid. Really, I think that is too bad because I believe it is actually a better product than the MS suite.

In searching the threads to see if this topic has already been discussed, I only came upon one related thread, and it was on open source programs in general. A couple of people in that thread mentioned using openoffice.org but that was about it.

My question is ... how many here are using openoffice.org & what do you think of it?

I am hoping that more and more folks are giving it a try - it sure would be nice to see "critical mass" occur for this free product. Imagine if we could break Microsoft's stranglehold on office suites, with a program that all of us can get for nothing! Even those who would stay with the MS product would benefit because the stupidly high prices for it would most likely plummet!

 

[JCF350]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

I use it, but I also don't really need Office software has it is.
My use is to open the occasional files, or some other data base file, I get sent from some one using MS office
Hasn't failed yet.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

Have both MS Office and Open Office on home network....wife sends me Word MS doc's and I change them with Open Office and send them back to her.......as for Ms powerpoint I'am not sure it is compatable don;t use it.....I don't think you can open them with Open Office .....someone else will have to confirm that......otherwise a great free program and getting better Calc is just like Excel

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

What a great question!!I have downloaded it onto a couple of my computers but have not taken the time to install it.I play in Linux from time to time and see it there but have not tried to do anything with it as I don't have much use personally for that type of software although my household does use microsoft word in some of our daily activities.
I just had a brainstorm........I am going to install it on a computer that I am building for someone else and see how it works in windows.I can import files to it and see how it handles them and take it from there.I already have office '97 and others so I don't really need it but I would surely use it instead of office if I felt good about it.Great post,thanks.Ron G

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

I re-installed it on the computer that I am using now, last night. The reason why I did is that a sales clerk at Best Buy told me that OpenOffice Writer will save documents directly into PDF format. I have Adobe Reader at home but don't have the version of Adobe that will create PDF documents. I went to Best Buy looking for the correct Adobe product but they don't sell it - hence the recommendation to get the openoffice.org product.

As soon as I got the software downloaded and installed, I inserted 71 scanned page images from a Chrysler outboard service manual, into a Writer document. I then saved it directly to PDF format. The next step was to test the compatibility with Adobe Reader and that went very well - no problems loading or moving back and forth through the pages.

I think I need to drop a fast food gift certificate off to that clerk because he just saved me a bunch of money!

 

[JCF350]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

Have both MS Office and Open Office on home network....wife sends me Word MS doc's and I change them with Open Office and send them back to her.......as for Ms powerpoint I'am not sure it is compatable don;t use it.....I don't think you can open them with Open Office .....someone else will have to confirm that......otherwise a great free program and getting better Calc is just like Excel

yep, it'll do them. First reason I looked at the program.

 

[i386]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

I use it at home and on my laptop. I think it works fine. No interoperability problems so far. I like being able to save as PDF w/o any extra software too. I use Office at work mainly because of Outlook and syncing my Palm Treo. Otherwise it would Open Office and Mozilla Thunderbird with the Sunbird Calendar plugin.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

I use it at home with a Vista OS. No problems what so ever.

Can't beat the price.

I also have Lotus Symphony installed, I like Open Office better. It is just faster.

 

[vess]

Re: Open Office Software Suite

I have used it for a couple of years now, and have had great luck with it. I am able to use Impress and it converts into power point without a hitch, really. I get sent a lot of MS files, and it is handy to be able to use open office to open them, manipulate and save when done. I don't want to spend the money on MS when this program works so well. I keep trying to convert friends to it, but people are convinced only MS works. Yikes.