In OOo News

On October 28th. 2009, the one hundred millionth person clicked on the download OOo button since version 3.0 of the software was announced just over one year ago.

Also the Beta Version of Open Office 3.2 is now available. The final release is due in December 2009. To see a description of the new features, click the following link: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Feature_Freeze_Testing_3.2

If It Were My Library...

I would absolutely use Open Office. This software is amazing and free. The amount of money a library would save from not having to subscribe to Microsoft Office, Works, or any of the other pay programs for office software.

There is also an extensive network of people around the globe who are working on this software and make it their mission to make these programs better. If you have a problem or would like to know if you could have something in the program 'tweeked' all you have to do is ask. Just go to http://www.openoffice.org/, find the corresponding message board and post your issue.

The paid programs also require a license or extra fee if the program will be used on multiple computers.

Similar Products

Clearly there are the two big ones, Microsoft Office for Windows and Apple Works or iWork (as they're calling themselves now) for Apple. Those programs are great which is why Open Office is so similar to those programs. Those programs let the general public create professional papers and presentations.


Here are the websites for the respective pay programs:

The official website for Microsoft Office. The site provides product information, pricing, tutorials and online help communities. The Microsoft Office software must be purchased, but there is a 60-day free trial of the software.
http://office.microsoft.com/

The other giant in the comptuer world has a version of office software. iWorks, as it is called now to match their other products, offers the document, spreadsheet, and presentation software. iWorks software does cost, but Mac offers a 30-day free trial.
http://www.apple.com/iwork/

This site is for IBM's Lotus software. The site gives information about products, pricing (including discounts on multi-year agreements), case studies and blogs about their software.
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/

The Think Free site is a twist on the two big office software packages. It is a site an individual, library or business can download and use as a server. It enables a library for example, to download Microsoft Office on one computer and users on other computers will be able to download, edit, create, and save documents. There is a free version and a paid version. There is also seperate software for desktops, netbooks and mobile devices.
http://thinkfree.com

The Downside to Open Office

Sure, there are downsides to everything, but we're not giving up much if anything for free software.

• There are certain tasks which do not translate from Microsoft to Open Office and vice versa including advanced macros.
  
• The formatting can change in the writing program.

When I was searching the web for problems people had with Open Office, even off of the Open Office site, the problems had to deal mostly with formatting, which was a problem with older versions. If there are problems with Open Office software, people usually go to the Open Office site or OOo (the abbreviation for all of those o's).

The Advantages of Open Office vs "The Others"

• One major advantage of this software is it is completely free.


• The software is also updated on a regular basis and the updates are easy to download.


• The software is compatible and can save documents and spreadsheets in many formats so other software programs can read them.


• A library can install Open Office on any number of computers because is there is no license agreement. It saves the library money by installing it instead of pay programs.


• The website, Openoffice.org also has a number of add-ons or extensions made by people who actually use the software. These add-ons are usually free and is rated with comments by other Open Office users.

The Open Office (or OOo) community is extremely helpful. The actual creators and writers are in this community to offer support as well as OOo enthusiasts.

In a Library, Who Would Use This?

The answer is, everyone!


Reasons for Staff:

• Formal presentations for other staff, library board, or customers
• Saves an incredible amount of money for the library to invest in other areas

Reasons for Customers:

• Open Office is compatible with Microsoft Office and Works
• User friendly

All Kinds of Libraries Can Use Open Office

All kinds libraries can use this, public or private. The software is so versatile, any facility can use it. The software can be tailored to fit a small public library or a large university library because of the amount of add-ons and support available.