OpenOffice.org is a free, multi-platform office suite. It includes key desktop applications, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation manager, drawing program, and database module.
OpenOffice.org is an Open Source project and available on all major platforms, including Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. At present, you can choose from more than 100 different language options.
OpenOffice.org avoids the risk of vendor lock-in because it uses a standardised, XML-based file format that makes interoperability easy and your documents future-proof. OpenOffice.org also works with a variety of other file formats, including those of Microsoft Office, and provides the option to export all of your documents to PDF.
www.openoffice.org
OpenDocument Format
“Documents belong to their authors, and not the author of the editing software.”
Jean-Marie Gouarne
Open Formats Make History—And Maintain It
“Open formats are an important part of computing freedom because they give people control of their own data.” Gervase Markham on why there really is no alternative to open data formats.
business.timesonline.co.uk
What Is OpenDocument
“Given the obscurity of document formats and of technical standards work, it’s easy to miss the importance of an XML-based open document format standard.” Sam Hiser on how ODF represents a triumph of common sense and why Microsoft’s petulant response ulitmately is pure entertainment.
www.onlamp.com
Articles
OpenOffice.org: The Great Escape
“It’s just powerful and sophisticated software at everyone’s favourite price.” Geoff Palmer highlights the benefits of using OpenOffice.org.
www.pcworld.co.nz
Stick or Twist?
“It’s hard to justify the expense of £90 to £150 per computer a year to run software that’s definitely no better than the free alternative.” Chris Johnston reports on why OpenOffice.org could loosen Microsoft’s grip on UK schools.
education.guardian.co.uk
The Hidden Dangers of Documents
“The UK government has now largely abandoned Microsoft Word for documents that become public”, writes Mark Ward. If only they had used OpenOffice.org’s one-click PDF export…
news.bbc.co.uk
Setup
For those unable to use OpenOffice.org 2.4.1, instructions for installing OpenOffice.org 1.1.5 are still available. Everyone else should upgrade to the latest version.
Installing OpenOffice.org 2.4.1 on Windows NT/2000/XPSP1/XPSP2
Download OpenOffice.org by saving the self-extracting archive OOo_2.4.1_Win32Intel_install_wJRE_en-US.exe onto your Desktop.
Double-click OOo_2.4.1_Win32Intel_install_wJRE_en-US.exe and select a destination folder for unpacking the OpenOffice.org installation files. When prompted, choose Complete as the setup type. Select the file types Microsoft Word Documents, Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets and Microsoft PowerPoint Presentations to be opened with OpenOffice.org. Click Finish to complete your OpenOffice.org installation.
download.openoffice.org
How You Can Help
Submitting Bug Reports
“Simple end users are really critical in the process of making the code better. It’s important for end users to understand how important they are in the process.” OpenOffice.org developer Florian Reuter needs your help.
Documentation
OpenOffice.org is a multi-platform application. These articles, written by Bruce Byfield for Linux Journal, are applicable to OpenOffice.org installations on all other platforms.
Eleven Tips for Moving to OpenOffice.org
“Replacing a complicated piece of software like an office suite can be a major undertaking. But, if you apply a few simple rules to make sure your needs are met, you’ll be ready to be productive on the new software right away.”
www.linuxjournal.com
OOo Off the Wall
A series of articles showing you how to get more from OpenOffice.org.
www.linuxjournal.com
Setting Up Page Styles in OOo Writer,
Bullet Proof Templates,
Style Is Everything, Right?,
Fonts of Wisdom,
Building Characters,
Shooting the Sun,
Paragraph Styles, Part II,
It’s Numbering, but Not as We Know It,
Getting in the Frame,
The Outlining and the Ecstasy,
Macros and Add-ons,
Floating Windows,
My Objects All Sublime,
ToCs, Indexes and Bibliographies in OOo Writer,
Fielding Questions Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4,
Tabling the Notion Part 1
Part 2,
Recovering Hidden Treasures,
Back to School with Bibliographies,
Adding AutoText to Your Work Flow,
Domesticating Autocorrect,
Master Documents,
Find and Replace,
That’s Your Version-Document Control in OOo Writer
Help
OpenOffice.org Forum
Interact with other OpenOffice.org users to help with your questions.
www.oooforum.org
Other Sites
Tutorials for OpenOffice.org
This site provides a collection of tutorials intended to help you get off the ground with OpenOffice.org.
www.tutorialsforopenoffice.org
Tipps zur Textverarbeitung OpenOffice Writer
In German
Andreas Borutta maintains a comprehensive list of tips and tricks covering all aspects of configuring and using OpenOffice.org Writer.
borumat.de
OpenOffice.org Tips, Tricks and Ideas
Solveig Haugland maintains this blog with a lot of useful information on how to get more from OpenOffice.org.
openoffice.blogs.com
Kaaredyret.dk
Beautifully presented site offering additional information on all aspects of OpenOffice.org.
www.kaaredyret.dk