OpenOffice.org: An Alternative to Microsoft Office

OpenOffice.org is the open source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and many more.  It supports the ISO/IEC standard OpenDocument Format (ODF) for data interchange as its default file format, as well as Microsoft Office formats among others.  It is available under Microsoft Windows and Linux platform. The first version was released on April 30^th, 2002; the current release is OpenOffice.org 3.  For the current version, minimum system requirements are:

Microsoft Windows

• Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2 or higher), Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7
• 256 Mbytes RAM (512 MB RAM recommended)
• At least 650 Mbytes available disk space for a default install (including a JRE) via download.
  After installation and deletion of temporary installation files, OpenOffice.org will use approximately 440 Mbytes disk space.
• 1024 x 768 or higher resolution with at least 256 colors

GNU/Linux ("Linux")

• Linux kernel version 2.4 or higher, glibc2 version 2.3.2 or higher
• 256 Mbytes RAM (512 MB recommended)
• 400 Mbytes available disk space
• X-Server with 1024 x 768 or higher resolution with at least 256 colors

OpenOffice.org comprises a collection of applications that work together closely to provide the features commonly included in modern office suites. Many of the components are similar to those available in Microsoft Office.  See below:

• Writer: a word processor you can use for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book.
• Calc: A powerful spreadsheet with all the tools you need to calculate, analyse, and present your data in numerical reports or sizzling graphics.
• Impress: The fastest, most powerful way to create effective multimedia presentations.
• Base: Lets you manipulate databases seamlessly. Create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports, all from within OpenOffice.org
• Draw: lets you produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations.
• Math: Lets you create mathematical equations with a graphic user interface or by directly typing your formulas into the equation editor.

So, if you don’t want to spend money on a commercial office productivity tool, OpenOffice.org is the way to go.

Links: http://www.OpenOffice.org