Looking for an alternative to MS Office?

[theARTiSAN]

I'm sure we've all used a variety of Office Suites ranging from Microsoft Office, Corel WP Office or Lotus (etc, etc...)

If you are looking for an alternative to MS Office, but don't really want to shell out a couple hundred dollars (or UDS equiv.) you might consider checking out OpenOffice.org v1.0

It is based on the source code of StarOffice 6.0 (Sun Microsytems), who themselves offered a free multi-platform version (StarOffice v5.2). Sun Microsystems no longer offers their free version, and have referred people looking for an excellent office suite to OpenOffice.org's site.

OpenOffice has the same source code as the newly-released Sun Microsystems StarOffice 6.0, but is offered free of charge under the GPL.
It is available for a variety of different languages and different platforms including: Linux, Windows (all versions) and Solaris - - - I believe there is also developers build for MAC OS too.

I have tested it, and it seamlessly opened, edited and saved changes in a variety of my own MS Office XP documents ranging from Word .docs, Excel spreadsheets and Powerpoint documents.

It is really a nice package and best of all, it's completely free!
A new version (1.0.1) is available now from their website.
http://www.openoffice.org/

Or Go Straight to the Download Page:
http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/source/1.0.1/index.html

NJoy :thumbsup:

[t0mmy]

Thank you for the information, I'll check it soon!
T0mmy

[§ereña]

hey thnx for sharing artisan!!

:thumbsup:

[advancedflea]

actually, artisan, I know another "office alternative" and believe me it is good. its called "Microsoft works" I use office (well...word and exel, but i have the full pakage) and Microsoft works. It's cheap & cheerfull and it has ALL the fetures of microsoft office standard...and a few more templates.

[theARTiSAN]

Hey Flea - Yeah, I've used Works before. Cost aside (big consideration) I actually preferred Office to Works - both being from Microsoft. Considering the cost, Works is much more reasonable, and you're right - does come with a ton of templates & is generally easier to use than MS Office.

Open office has a cross-platform advantage (There are setup packages for more OS than just Windows) and it is free to the public. It's all a preference thing though :thumbsup:

[advancedflea]

yeah, works is well cheap...esp cuz i got the latest version free with my dads new toshiba lap-top :thumbsup:

[Micijanus]

openoffice is more or less as strong as Office Xp Pro- its for free
and runs in windows & Linux - you can save in any format - and read about any too! Thanks for them sharing this with us....

[advancedflea]

I have just up-graded 2 office XP Pro Premieum. I got it free off Kazaa :p

[theARTiSAN]

That's what I'm here for, Micijanus.
Glad some of you found this useful :thumbsup:

[advancedflea]

some being the key-word :p

[theARTiSAN]

No no no...
Wiseass being the keyword.
:rolleyes:

[advancedflea]

u mean SMART ass :)

[theARTiSAN]

Don't make me unleash my phenominal cosmic powers, dude...
;)

[advancedflea]

wud this be something I would regret? :)

[liquidbond]

but if u buy a new computer and it comes wit MS works that decent too. you don't have to spend they cash to buy office

office i feel is overrated

[theARTiSAN]

Liquidbond - For the price, I would mostly agree - Office very overrated.

Flea - Ok... I guess smart ass will work... Better that than dumb ass, right?

[advancedflea]

Office is VERY over-priced as well, for the best version it would cost £800 (about $1200 USD or $1600 Candaian) which is a bit of a ripp considering A> you can download pirate versions for free and B> MS works has basiucally the same fetures and costs £45

and Yes artisan, Smart ass IS better than dumb-ass! lol

[liquidbond]

wit the goin rates of computer u can get your self a new computer for about 600 wit a p4 1.8G, 256DDR and 40 GiG and that would come wit works so if u need a new computer and word processor get the new computer its way worth the money

most users i believe don't need to go out and buy the best Office because it comes wit more junk that you dont need an it just cost more buy the basic one for around 200 and it comes wit everything that u'll need word, power point , excel and outlook. Only buy the high end if u need all the extra junk that it gives u

[theARTiSAN]

liquidbond makes a very good point here.

[advancedflea]

If I want a new version of office, I either pirate it or download it. I have office XP pro premium at the moment and I got it free off Kazaa.

[cincnorad]

Anything to not put another $$ in Microsoft's pocket is a good thing.

[advancedflea]

too damn right

[JaWa]

any openofice user here that still uses ms office .. and have troubels with layouts when converting from openoffice <-> ms office ?

[advancedflea]

wha????:confused2 :confused2 :confused2

[cliffee]

Microsofts is the best. Why look elsewhere

[theARTiSAN]

Because it's excessively priced, self-indulgent (not compatible with many other popular office suites), and bloated in size.
There are other reasons -
That's like saying "Microsoft Windows is the best"
You'll never know until you've looked at other alternatives.

[advancedflea]

Microsoft Isnt the best.

[theARTiSAN]

Amen - *cough*unix*cough**cough*Linux**

[advancedflea]

*cough* Mac OS X *Cough* :D

[altroz]

Yes, microsoft is the best.
But, why did u spend ur money if there're cheaper thing?

[advancedflea]

cuz they aint allways cheaper

[sprsaiyan4goku]

i have office xp pro and i prefer it to works or anything else. i like all the tools it comes with and its so damn easy to use:assskake:

[theARTiSAN]

Sure it's neat - - I have it and I use it too...
BUT if you aren't lucky enough to have bought a machine with it preloaded or bundled/included, (or you are using a pirated version), you're going to pay out your ass for it.
There are cheaper alternatives that work just as well (if not better).

P.S. I don't feel like getting into an OS or Office Suite argument, so I won't jump on the whole "microsoft is the best" comment.
All I will say is that it is not as secure or stable as any Linux/Unix OS or Mac OS X. Do your homework if you doubt me.

[advancedflea]

actually artisan, I have an iMac lap-top (iBook) with OSX on and office XP pro premium. works ok for me. but it does work better on my XP desktop

[BOOsTER]

Originally posted by advancedflea
actually, artisan, I know another "office alternative" and believe me it is good. its called "Microsoft works" I use office (well...word and exel, but i have the full pakage) and Microsoft works. It's cheap & cheerfull and it has ALL the fetures of microsoft office standard...and a few more templates.

/me is wondering how Microsoft could work?

Microsoft Works ...eh it's like the shortest joke I ever heard :P

[sprsaiyan4goku]

its cheaper to use works or soemthing like that nut its so easy to get free software for things that theres no point in using them

[advancedflea]

lol. booster, you have a very valid point

All the college's computers aint loaded with windows 2000 there loaded with

Micro**** Windozey 2000 Doesnt workstation

[BOOsTER]

Micro**** Windozey 2000 Doesn't workstation...
oh, pls send me the cd of it, I would love to check this soft :)

[advancedflea]

you may have to ask my college for that booster

[advancedflea]

ah, well, you see, when I install mine, the installation prgram comes up "Professional premium" (or something like that) I know what I'm on about here

[theARTiSAN]

The sad thing is Win2k is one of the best WinDon'tz versions there is... Sad eh?
When Sonar, Cool Edit Pro and another small handful of applications become cross-platform, I'm dumping MS altogether.
Give me Mandrake, Slackware, SuSe (or RedHat I suppose) any day.

[advancedflea]

heh. our college works on micro**** windozey 2000 doesnt workstation

[Aahz]

What's the "italicized Name Glow crew"? :)

[advancedflea]

its kinda a status symbol on here.