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Apache OpenOffice

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Apache OpenOffice Editor's Review

When you ask Windows users about the office productivity suites they use, you will see a majority prefer Microsoft Office suite, fewer go for Corel’s WordPerfect app and even fewer opt for other alternatives. However, the Open source software enthusiasts have long preferred OpenOffice as an alternative to Microsoft’s pricier and feature loaded Office productivity suite. The app was not updated for a rather long time. OpenOffice is now offered by Apache for several OS platforms. A few months back, latest version of the app was released with plenty of bug fixes, support for additional languages and enhanced compatibility with other suites. OpenOffice team says users stuck with Office 2003 can switch to their Open Source alternative as Microsoft will stop supporting the former suite pretty soon.

The new version of OpenOffice runs on Windows XP and later OS versions. The app’s hardware requirements are modest. The installer size is modest, again less than what competition offers. Security conscious users will scoff at the app as it does not get cleared by Microsoft's SmartScreen as well as Apple's Gatekeeper technology. Previous OpenOffice versions drew flak for their painstaking installation process and it is relatively simpler with the new version. However, to use its Base database software in Windows, you will be prompted to install Java first. It would have been better if the installer handled this part automatically.

OpenOffice comprises of 5 main apps- Writer, Impress presentation software, Calc spreadsheet, Draw and Base database app. You also get a formula editor, named Math. These apps will remind you of MS office versions of yesteryears though they come loaded with widely used features. Heavy Microsoft users will complain about absence of smart features like inserting images into presentation straight from the web. The look and feel of all apps resembles Windows XP more rather than its successors.

The interfaces of these apps are not what you would call sleek, compared to rival software standards. There is an added sidebar on right. This is meant for changing text, paragraph and other attributes fast. It can be undocked and resized as per your usage needs. You may even keep it minimized at screen bottom. You may feel it is similar to Office 2003’s task panes. While it may be useful to find common tools, you will feel frustrated with the fact some required tools are not available through the sidebar.

However, some changes in OpenOffice interface are quite useful. The new color palette is much better organized, for example. The Print preview is also enhanced in this version. Previous users will feel the difference as they draw either bitmap graphics or pastes them. When you import vector files including SVG objects, the attributes like alpha layers and transparent backgrounds do not get changed. Earlier, these would get converted to bitmaps with white background.

It is quite clear that even when you use OpenOffice apps, you will have to share files with Ms Office users from time to time. Previous versions of OpenOffice had average compatibility with Microsoft office apps which has been addressed in this release to some extent. You will feel fewer problems in exchanging files with elements like 3D Shapes, images, charts and color background between two apps. However, the app may not always render everything accurately when opening complex MS Office documents. You can exchange password protected documents between two apps now, provided that you save them in Office file formats.

While the new release of OpenOffice is enhanced with several additions, the occasional quirks may seem inconvenient to you. There are separate icons for the app’s programs. When they are minimized on taskbar, all you get is a single icon. This can make it tedious to switch between the open apps. Another hassle is that if one of the apps hangs, you are not allowed to continue working in another. This can seem annoying to heavy users. General performance is satisfactory except when you open Office documents.

Microsoft Office has been known for its robust offline and online Help files which is another reason behind its popularity. This is one area where OpenOffice falters big time. The documentation that comes with is quite Spartan in nature, leaving much to be desired. It is not suited for non technical users, to be frank.

Positive Points:
 -   Freeware with essential office productivity features.
 -   Enhanced compatibility with MS Office suite.
 -   Sidebar eases workflow.
 -   General smooth performance.

Negative Points:
 -   Help section leaves much to be desired.
 -   Not many major improvements in new version.
 -   Dated app interface.
 -   Installer could have been better.

Conclusion:
There is not much to dislike the new version of Apache OpenOffice. It offers most features average users will ever need and all those come for free, absolutely. The app will run smoothly even if you do not have a new computer. The improved compatibility with Microsoft Office is another plus point. It is more stable than the predecessors and effects of numerous bug fixes are evident. However, existing Microsoft Office users will find little reasons to make a switch over to the suite, unless they are Open Source enthusiasts.

Rating: 3.5/5







Apache OpenOffice Publisher's Description

Free alternative for Office productivity tools: Apache OpenOffice - formerly known as OpenOffice.org - is an open-source office productivity software suite containing word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics, formula editor, and database management applications. OpenOffice is available in many languages, works on all common computers, stores data in ODF - the international open standard format - and is able to read and write files in other formats, included the format used by the most common office suite packages. OpenOffice is also able to export files in PDF format. OpenOffice has supported extensions, in a similar manner to Mozilla Firefox, making easy to add new functionality to an existing OpenOffice installation.

Cross platform (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X), 170+ Languages, Extensions available, Commercial support available

Apache OpenOffice License - Apache License V2.0

Free download from Shareware Connection - Free alternative for Office productivity tools: Apache OpenOffice - formerly known as OpenOffice.

Publisher: OpenOffice.org | License: Freeware | Price: 0.00
Version: 4.0.1 | Size: 140288 KB | Platform: Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, WinOther
Released Date: | Rating: 5 | Title: Apache OpenOffice

Author Url: http://www.openoffice.org/
Program Info Url: http://www.openoffice.org/
Download Url: http://sourceforge.net/projects/openofficeorg.mirror/files/4.0.1/binaries/en-US/Apache_OpenOffice_4.0.1_Win_x86_install_en-US.exe/download
Screenshot Url: http://c.fsdn.com/con/app/proj/openofficeorg.mirror/screenshots/base-big.png

More downloads from Apache OpenOffice publisher OpenOffice.org:

OOo-dev - Developer Snapshots represent the most recent status of the OpenOffice.

OpenOffice.org - OpenOffice.org 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.

Apache OpenOffice related downloads:

Apache OpenOffice.org SDK - The Apache OpenOffice.

Unofficial Apache OO Debian repository - This project intend to provide an unofficial Debian repository of Apache OpenOffice for i386 and amd64 ports while it's not in official Debian repositories.

OOo-dev - Developer Snapshots represent the most recent status of the OpenOffice.

AndrOpen Office - AndrOpen Office is the world's first port of OpenOffice for Android.You can view, edit, export office documents using full features of the OpenOffice.AndrOpen Office has 6 components:- Writer (a word processor)- Calc (spreadsheet)- Impress...

Coffice - Viewer for ISO OpenDocument (ODF) and Microsoft Office files (binary and OOXML).Based on the Calligra Suite that is used in MeeGo and shipped as default office-reader with the Nokia N9. Supported file formats:* OpenDocument Text ...

Shareware Connection periodically updates pricing and software information of 'Apache OpenOffice' from company source 'OpenOffice.org' , so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it. Software piracy is theft,  Using 'Apache OpenOffice' crack, password, serial numbers, registration codes, key generators is illegal and prevent future development of Apache OpenOffice.

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