I have seen references to OpenOffice from HTMLSpinner, tms13, and jchu. I'm really thinking about downloading it just for kicks. I am pretty darn fluent in Office but just like to tinker with new stuff. What I don't like, however, it spending time with something that falls short in features or causes my other stuff to stop functioning properly. So write me a review. Convince me that it's worth my time. Failing that, simply tell me that it's not worth my time.
If you have recent version of Microsoft Office and are fluent with it, you'll be disapointed with Open Office. It's nice but it's no match for Microsoft's suite. You'll probably uninstall it in less that 24 hours. If you like to tinker with stuff and have a second computer, download and install Linspire (formerly Lindows), which is Unix-based and includes Open Office. Or, try a Mac with OSX.
I went with open office because the price was right. It has the functionality I need and in general does most things that MSOffice does. I don't do much with spreadsheest but my understanding from the head of our IT dept who uses OpenOffice on Linux exclusively, is that the spreadsheet actually has more functionality in some respects than Excel. Kelly, who heads up the IT department for Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, one of the "Top 100 Wired Hospitals" in the nation, has totally abandoned the Microsoft line except where no other options exist.
I agree that if you already have Office that there is no reason to switch. However if you are going to buy then OpenOffice is cheaper and works, but doesn't have all the extras and in some ways I find a tad more difficult to operate.
Give 1.1.4 a shot for kicks, I use it under Linux as it's 98%+ compatible w/ MS Office files - though it does lack access for those evil access databases. Under Windows, it's a good alternative for basic to intermediate work. For advanced users who are used to writing macros in Office, it may not be a suitable replacement. I enjoy the fact that OOo also saves in a native open format, which is essentially compressed XML.
OpenOffice is also included in the new Xandros Linux 3.0. I highly recommend Xandros Linux 3.0 Deluxe, which also includes CrossOver Office - a program that lets you run a limited number of Windows programs directly under Linux. With Xandros Linux 3.0 Deluxe (note the Deluxe version is the one that includes Crossover Office) you've already got Open Office, but you can install Microsoft Office if you prefer. I've also been able to install Macromedia Dreamweaver and run it under Linux using Crossover. Of course, if you are setting up a Linux computer to use it as a server instead of a desktop, Red Hat Linux is the market leader because it just works. Getting back to the thread, I use mostly the word processor functions of Office or OpenOffice. With that in mind, I prefer OpenOffice.
