OpenOffice.org

= OpenOffice.org = toc OpenOffice is an open source software suite containing products that allow users to create text documents, spreadsheets, presentations and much more.

OpenOffice, developed by Sun Microsystems, was originally released in 2000 as an updated, expanded and open source version of the earlier StarOffice. OpenOffice experienced much growth during those first few years, reaching 1 million downloads in October 2001 and surpassing 20 million downloads by the end of the 2003.

The OpenOffice Suite is similar to the Microsoft Office Suite with the exception that it is free and available to prospective users through a download available on [|the OpenOffice.org website]. The latest version of the OpenOffice Suite is OpenOffice 3.3.0.

OpenOffice vs. Microsoft Office
OpenOffice products are a license free, credible alternative for people and organizations in need of applications for composing text documents, presentations and databases among other works. Whereas such software for Microsoft Office could cost in excess of a hundred dollars without an employee or student discount. The following table shows some of the different productivity applications offered by Microsoft and the OpenOffice.org equivalent:


 * **‍File/Program Type** || **Microsoft Office** || **OpenOffice.org** ||
 * **Text Documents** || MS Word || Writer ||
 * **Spreadsheets** || MS Excel || Calc ||
 * **Presentations** || MS PowerPoint || Impress ||
 * **Databases** || MS Access || Base ||
 * **Graphics/Diagrams** || MS Visio || Draw ‍ ||

Similar to Microsoft, OpenOffice.org also has an array of templates for its users to use to help them with a range of professional and personal pursuits. Such templates include invoices, resumes and calendars.



Like Microsoft Office, OpenOffice applications also offer support for different languages and several file extensions to help ensure that users' works are compatible should they need to work with others or complete work on a computer having Microsoft Office or other computing software.

OpenOffice Users
The range of users of OpenOffice is vast. Because OpenOffice.org products are open source, comparable to most commercial software and typically take up less space on a computer's hard drive, many have begin to turn to the products for their daily processing needs.

The list of users includes individuals who have downloaded the software to use on their personal computers and entire organizations such as public libraries, many of whom install the software on both the staff and public access computers.

According to a 2006 Business Journal article by Raviv Nesher, many recommend that users at least give OpenOffice a "free test drive". He adds that since there "is no limitation to how many PCs you can install OpenOffice on so there is the potential for a big licensing savings for an organization of any substantial size."