SCI/TECH: Free OpenOffice.org 2.0 Suite Launches

OpenOffice.org 2.0, an open source office suite, has been released providing serious competition to Microsoft Office and OpenOffice XML. Some governments have put a priority on open source software and Massachusetts has rejected Microsoft's OpenOffice XML, which has helped OpenOffice.org 2.0 gain footing in the battle to become the most popular office suite in the world. OpenOffice.org 2.0 is described as a mature program by expert Tim Bray, a creator of XML.

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For my purposes, the Microsoft Works suite "works" for me, but when I needed more power to create documents, I was partial to Word Perfect, finding Microsoft Office to be a pale and annoying shadow. I was very disappointed when my employer adopted Office over Word Perfect. Now, however, with the availability of this free version, I might just be lured away from the lean but adequate Works. At any rate, it's good news for those who don't like Microsoft and those who prefer free anything to anything costing money.


[edit on 2005/10/21 by GradyPhilpott]

I downloaded it last night, and I am impressed. Microsoft should be worried - especially as Google is supporting the open office standard as part of their server-based application plan.

I wonder - is there a thread about Google taking over the digital world?

Oh I love Open Office. I messed around with Fedora Core 4 running Gnome desktop. Its an incredible package when you consider the price... free. Then you load up something like Open Office and you are just in business. Its a great package and front I was able to see it is compatible with documents created in M$ Office. These desktop systems on Linux have come a LONG way since Red Hat 5.0. I think its getting to the point where it is more friendly for the average user. Better driver support. For office use it is a great thing. I'm not sure about normal household use just yet given the lack of game support still. If you have a spare computer around the house I'd recommend grabbing Fedora and installing Open Office on it. Try it out. If you don't like it then just reformat the drive.

Here ya go:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

I donwloaded it yesterday I like the new addition, Open Base. It'll let you create a database using their engine or you can use ODBC to connect to existing connections such as MySQL or Access. It's embedded dbase engine (HSQLDB) uses an XML file to store the information.

surprisingly office 2004 for mac's works far better than that the standard issue for windows. It is still an annoying piece of merde but it at least works better...still I only use it when I have to interact with those lost souls who think their discount dell is a better machine than any Mac but when i am doing work for myself it's either appleworks or pages....pages is much better than word, even word for macs ever dreamed of being.

Thanks Grady!