If you haven’t found out about one of the webs best free offerings (and it has been around awhile!), get ready to be enlightened… Openoffice.org has a complete line of [tag]Microsoft[/tag] “knock-offs” that, quite frankly, are spectacular. If you are looking to save a few hundred “bucks” you just might want to give this [tag]freeware[/tag] serious consideration.
[tag]OpenOffice[/tag].org has just celebrated its 6th anniversary and has RECENTLY released a major update in October of this year. This release includes enhanced [tag]Macintosh[/tag] compatibility, more robust PDF support and a host of new features found within the individual applications.
Besides being totally [tag]free[/tag] and [tag]freeware[/tag] (operating under an open-source licensing agreement), it is also one of the most robust cross platform office suites available. Platforms currently supported include Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux (“Linux”), Sun Solaris, Mac OS X (under X11), and FreeBSD.
Find out more information about this and try it out for yourself by visiting here: http://www.openoffice.org
Table of Microsoft application crossings:
[tag]Word[/tag]=[tag]Writer[/tag] [tag]PowerPoint[/tag]=[tag]Impress[/tag] [tag]Excel[/tag]=[tag]Calc[/tag] [tag]Access[/tag]=[tag]Base[/tag]…[The following is taken from OpenOffice.org]…
What’s in OpenOffice.org?
WRITER is OpenOffice.org’s word processor: use it for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book with embedded illustrations, cross-references, tables of contents, indexes, bibliographies… Auto-complete, auto-format, and real-time spelling check make light work of the hardest task. Writer is powerful enough to tackle desktop publishing tasks such as creating multi-column newsletters, brochures – the only limit is your imagination.
Use CALC to bring your numbers under control. This powerful spreadsheet has all the tools you need to calculate, analyse, summarize, and present your data in numerical reports or sizzling graphics. A fully-integrated help system makes entering complex formulas a breeze. Sophisticated decision-making tools are just a few mouse clicks away. Pull in external data using the Data Pilot, and sort it, filter it, and produce subtotals and statistical analyses. Use previews to select from thirteen categories of 2-D and 3-D charts including line, area, column, pie, XY, stock and net with dozens of variants.
IMPRESS is the fastest, most powerful way to create effective multimedia presentations. Your presentations will truly stand out with special effects, animation and high-impact drawing tools.
DRAW will produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations and special effects.
What’s so great about OpenOffice.org?
As the name suggests, OpenOffice.org is the most open office suite available:
no commercial licenses or software compliance issues to worry about
no language barriers – if it’s not yet available in your language, the chances are it will be soon
available on all major computing platforms
the first office suite to comply with the OASIS OpenDocument format
the source code for the software is freely available under a full OSI certified license
OpenOffice.org is synonymous with quality
the roots of OpenOffice.org go back twenty years, creating a huge wealth of experience
hundreds of thousands of users have participated in the beta testing of version 2
with a fully open development process, OpenOffice.org has nothing to hide – the product stands or falls on its reputation
OpenOffice.org is friendly
the software looks and feels familiar and is instantly usable by anyone who has used a competitive product
it’s easy to change to OpenOffice.org – the software reads all major competitors’ files
OpenOffice.org is supported by a global community of friendly volunteers, only too happy to provide assistance to newcomers and advanced users alike
