Is OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice better than Microsoft Office?
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OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice
OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice are freeware alternatives to Microsoft Office that I use every day. It includes components for word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations, database access and drawing, and is over 90% compatible with Microsoft Office applications and files. They run on Windows, Linux, UNIX and OSX, and one of them is included in most Linux distros.
LibreOffice is a "fork" from the original OpenOffice.org project (i.e. a copy developed by a new team of open source developers unhappy with the development direction of the original project), following the purchase of Sun Microsystems, who were supporting the OpenOffice.org project, by Oracle.
What is the latest version of LibreOffice?
What is the latest version of OpenOffice.org?
Arguments against OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice
Not enough organizations accept files in ISO-standard OpenDocument file formats.
2 points
Supported by the user community, so perceived to have no commercial support.
2 points
Microsoft Office cannot read OpenOffice.org files without downloading extra software.
1 point
Excel power functions, e.g. macros, VLOOKUP and INDIRECT, do not work the same way in OpenOffice.org Calc
0 points
OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice Links
Microsoft Office to OpenOffice Migration Guide
Microsoft Office to OpenOffice Migration Guide2 points
OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite
OpenOffice.org: The Free, Open Source Office Suite1 point
OpenOffice.org Forum at OOoForum.org
The OpenOffice.org Forum at OOoForum.org is an OpenOffice.org help and discussion forum for exchanging information and tips with other users of OpenOffice.org, the open source office suite.1 point
Welcome to The Document Foundation! - The Document Foundation
The Document Foundation is an independent self-governing democratic Foundation created by leading members of the OpenOffice.org Community.1 point
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is the free power-packed Open Source personal productivity suite for Windows, Macintosh and Linux, that gives you six feature-rich applications for all your document production and data processing needs.1 point
OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice books on Amazon
OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice vs Microsoft Office
Which is better: OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice or Microsoft Office?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byOpenOffice.org/LibreOffice is better
AnnaleeBlysse says:
Microsoft has certainly come down in price in the 5-6 years since I last checked for home use, but I opt for OpenOffice.
Posted November 11, 2011
_Joan_ says:
I love OpenOffice! I use the word processor and the spreadsheet. Any time I have to interface with an Word/Excel user, I can easily save my files in MS format. My only wish would be that it had more robust Data/Merge functionality like WordPerfect.
Posted February 25, 2010
WordCustard says:
I like the ethos behind OpenOffice. MS Office used to be fine but find the new 'ribbon' interface annoying.
Posted November 13, 2009
CleanerLife says:
I'll stick to OpenOffice, it does everything I want, so there's no sense supporting the over-bloated nightmare that is Microsoft!
Posted October 02, 2009
hollandnumerics says:
OpenOffice.org does everything I want it to do. It can read most of the Microsoft Office files I receive, and write most that I need to send out. It runs on Windows and Linux, looks the same on both, and it's free to download and upgrade. No competition!
Posted June 03, 2009
Microsoft Office is better
dogface says:
Okay, Microsoft Office is expensive, but because I have it, I don't have any reason to switch to OpenOffice.
Posted June 08, 2011
GrammaLinda says:
As a longtime trainer for Microsoft Office, I have to vote for Microsoft Office, but OpenOffice.org is a great choice for those who need a good office suite and cannot afford Microsoft's steep price tag.
Posted December 03, 2010
Kenken99 says:
Microsoft Office has better graphics, and a better user interface.
Posted November 27, 2010
xjxsxhx says:
as a university student I find Office better and easier to use. I was taught to use Office at school and all my university files are created in Office and, although "compatible", formatting etc changes in the transfer, especially with the OpenOffice alternative to Powerpoint. I can, and have, used both but definitely prefer Office.
Posted June 04, 2009
Blog Posts about OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice
- LibreOffice 3.5 pushes past OpenOffice, not recommended for biz users
- LibreOffice is a spin-off of OpenOffice, and comprises word processor (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc), presentations package (Impress), database (Base), graphics editor (Draw) and equations tool (Math). This is LibreOffice's third major release since the ...
- LibreOffice stats: 400 total contributors, thousands of code commits every month
- LibreOffice is a community-driven fork of the OpenOffice.org (OOo) office suite. The project started after Oracle's acquisition of Sun with the aim of offering a better governance model and a more inclusive environment than OOo.
- LibreOffice Android port progresses to prototype
- A few months ago we brought you news that LibreOffice, the open source offshoot of popular free office suite Open Office, was headed to Android. While it would be wrong to say that the team of developers is making rapid progress, ...
- The Best Microsoft Office Alternative You've Never Heard Of
- There are, of course, a number of freebie alternatives to Microsoft Office, most notably OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice. However, OpenOffice faces an uncertain future, and LibreOffice is bogged down by a clumsy, outdated interface and iffy file ...
News about OpenOffice.org/LibreOffice
- LibreOffice 3.5 pushes past OpenOffice, not recommended for biz users
- LibreOffice is a spin-off of OpenOffice, and comprises word processor (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc), presentations package (Impress), database (Base), graphics editor (Draw) and equations tool (Math). This is LibreOffice's third major release since the ...
- LibreOffice stats: 400 total contributors, thousands of code commits every month
- LibreOffice is a community-driven fork of the OpenOffice.org (OOo) office suite. The project started after Oracle's acquisition of Sun with the aim of offering a better governance model and a more inclusive environment than OOo.
- LibreOffice Android port progresses to prototype
- A few months ago we brought you news that LibreOffice, the open source offshoot of popular free office suite Open Office, was headed to Android. While it would be wrong to say that the team of developers is making rapid progress, ...
- The Best Microsoft Office Alternative You've Never Heard Of
- There are, of course, a number of freebie alternatives to Microsoft Office, most notably OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice. However, OpenOffice faces an uncertain future, and LibreOffice is bogged down by a clumsy, outdated interface and iffy file ...
Blog Posts about Microsoft Office
- Office 15 on Windows on ARM Completely Free? Probably Not
- Full versions of Office 15 apps for Windows On ARM will probably not be free, but instead follow Office Starter 2010's lead. After Microsoft released its detailed description of Windows on ARM (WOA) last week, there has been some speculation as to the ...
- Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday Kills 21 Security Bugs
- Microsoft released nine new security bulletins fixing 21 vulnerabilities in all supported versions of Internet Explorer and the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office and .NET/Silverlight in its February Patch Tuesday release.
- Microsoft 'shares' Office Suite preview with customers
- For the first time, Microsoft is "sharing" with a select group of customers the preview of its next-generation Microsoft Office productivity suite tentatively codenamed "Office 15." PJ Hough, corporate vice president of development of Microsoft's ...
- Microsoft: Windows 8 on ARM to 'include' some Office 15 apps
- Another tidbit from Microsoft's February 9 post on the ?Building Windows 8? blog has to do with Microsoft Office. There's been back-and-forth speculation as to how Microsoft plans to make Office available for Windows 8. Will it be a Metro-style app ...
News about Microsoft Office
- Office 15 on Windows on ARM Completely Free? Probably Not
- Full versions of Office 15 apps for Windows On ARM will probably not be free, but instead follow Office Starter 2010's lead. After Microsoft released its detailed description of Windows on ARM (WOA) last week, there has been some speculation as to the ...
- Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday Kills 21 Security Bugs
- Microsoft released nine new security bulletins fixing 21 vulnerabilities in all supported versions of Internet Explorer and the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office and .NET/Silverlight in its February Patch Tuesday release.
- Microsoft 'shares' Office Suite preview with customers
- For the first time, Microsoft is "sharing" with a select group of customers the preview of its next-generation Microsoft Office productivity suite tentatively codenamed "Office 15." PJ Hough, corporate vice president of development of Microsoft's ...
- Microsoft: Windows 8 on ARM to 'include' some Office 15 apps
- Another tidbit from Microsoft's February 9 post on the ?Building Windows 8? blog has to do with Microsoft Office. There's been back-and-forth speculation as to how Microsoft plans to make Office available for Windows 8. Will it be a Metro-style app ...
Your comments are welcomed
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GrammaLinda
Dec 3, 2010 @ 12:14 pm | delete
- Microsoft Office has so many bells and whistles that it takes more than one college class in applications to learn it all. I have been teaching MS Office for the past 6 years, and still don't know everything there is to know. OpenOffice.org has the look and somewhat the feel of MS Office 2003, and works great for people who cannot afford or do not wish to spend the money for MS Office.
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jp1978
Oct 2, 2010 @ 11:11 am | delete
- Open Office, yay! I'm all for choice. If people like Microsoft products better, that's okay. But they shouldn't have a monopoly just because their file formats are incompatible with everyone else's!
We don't allow that sort of thing in other industries why should we allow it in software?
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thewishpearl Apr 20, 2010 @ 3:43 pm | delete
- I just downloaded the latest version which is Open Office 3.2. I think open office is a great program and for myself there is no need to purchase Microsoft Office. Interesting lens!
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TrainingonTap
Dec 1, 2009 @ 2:19 am | delete
- Only one way in wihch OpenOffice could realistically be thought of as better than the infinitely superior Microsoft and that of course is in price - i.e. no cost at all though it would be nice to know if anyone actually does give a donation for the privilege of getting free software. However, if somone is a novice and has not used Microsoft, or to any great extent beyond the mere basics, they woudn't know any better. Ignorane is bliss, so to speak.
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