Review : OpenOffice.org Productivity Suite 1.1RC

Normally I do not talk much about software applications but I love Open Office so much that I just thought I would make a page pimping it. It is a free open source Office Productivity Suite and I have been using it on both Windows and Linux for months now. There is a Mac OSX version too.

I prefer it over commercial applications and I use it to write just about everything on this site. They just released a new version and it is quicker and has a polished Windows like interface. I can't recommend it more. Besides being totally free it take up about 150 megs on your hard drive and it can be completely un installed with out spyware or banner ads. It is free as in "Free Beer". The PDF export option is worth using it right there.

Below is more information about it from the OpenOffice.org Website.

OpenOffice.org 1.1 RC is ready for general use. It replaces our legacy build, OpenOffice.org 1.0.3.1, which lacks the new features making OpenOffice.org 1.1 revolutionary. OpenOffice.org 1.1 RC not only includes features introduced in 1.1beta, such as export to PDF, SWF, DocBook, and improved on-line Help, but also:
Existing single-user installation update capability
Integrated Bitstream Vera fonts
Built-in proofing tools and hyphenation for many languages
Better Microsoft Office filters

OpenOffice.org is the open source project through which Sun Microsystems has released the technology for the popular StarOffice Productivity Suite. All of the StarOffice source code is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) as well as the Sun Industry Standards Source License (SISSL). Sun is participating as a member of the OpenOffice.org community.

What's in the suite?

WRITER Is a powerful tool for creating professional documents, reports, newsletters, and brochures. You can easily integrate images and charts in documents, create everything from business letters to complete books with professional layouts, as well as create and publish Web content.

CALC is a feature-packed spreadsheet which can turn boring numbers into eye-catching information. Calculate, analyse, and visually communicate your data quickly and easily. Use advanced spreadsheet functions and decision-making tools to perform sophisticated data analysis. Use built-in charting tools to generate impressive 2D and 3D charts.

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.

Database User Tools open up access to your databases.

OpenOffice.org 1.0 is more than a collection of four superb tools.

Unlike some competitors, this suite was not created from a collection of separate pieces of software. From the start, it was designed as one complete office package.

All the packages have a similar 'look and feel' making them very easy to use, with common 'learn once use everywhere' tools like the Navigator and Stylist.

All the packages share a common spell-checker, etc.; and if you change an 'Option' in one package, it's changed in them all.

Information can be transferred easily between all the packages.

All packages save data in the same industry-standard XML format, with disk savings compared to common proprietary formats.

All the packages are installed in one single operation.
All the packages are released under the same open licensing model - there are no hidden charges waiting to catch you out later.

Is OpenOffice.org 1.0 100% Microsoft Office file compatible?
As Microsoft rarely publish their file specifications, no-one can answer that question. However, there are plenty of users who regularly edit and exchange documents, spreadsheets, etc with Microsoft Office users without any problems. Indeed, some users claim they've seen bigger compatibility problems moving between versions of Microsoft's own products.