OpenOffice.Org Software and Support

Given I work for a major corporation which is a Microsoft shop, perhaps it is somewhat understandable why I have been remiss in not reviewing and posting about OpenOffice.Org. It's time to rectify that situation, and thus this posting contains links to product descriptions, reviews, software (free), eBooks and eLearning.

• Software: OpenOffice.Org is a software office suite with similar functionality to Microsoft Office. Unlike MS Office, OpenOffice.Org is available for free download. With the release of version 2, the quality, functionality and Microsoft compatibility have increased dramatically:
  • OpenSource.Org Modules:
    • Base - database software
    • Calc - spreadsheet software
    • Draw - 2D and 3D drawing software
    • Impress - presentation software
    • Math - mathematical equations software
    • Writer - word processing software
  • Wikipedia Overview of the OpenOffice.Org software
  • PC Pro Review of OpenOffice.Org V2.0

Sun Computers is a driving force behind this initiative, and Google may even be in play (i.e. Sun and Google signed a cooperation agreement last Summer).  Given this relationship and the move forward with version 2, OpenSource.Org now represents a good alternative to Microsoft (free is good!). Just as importantly, you will still be able to open / work with the latest Microsoft files created by your peers.

• eBooks and Documentation: Nice manuals exist to help you learn and handle your support needs. All the manuals linked here are free and in downloadable pdf:
  
  • Basic User Guide
  • Module Specific: User Guides | How To Guides

• Screencasts / Tutorials: Some nice eLearning modules exist to help you learn the various modules of OpenOffice.Org. There is no charge for using these learning modules:
  • Digital Distribution Screencasts
  • LearnOpenOffice.Org Tutorials
  • Plan B Screencasts

Finally, I will add these tutorials to my Google Co-Op Screencast Search Engine.

Comments

[Solveig Haugland]

I'm so glad you posted about Draw and mentioned both 2D and 3D! I think it's a huge benefit beyond what Microsoft Office provides in terms of graphics. Plus the connector lines in Draw provide a feature similar to the connector lines in Visio; very useful for diagrams, org charts, etc.