Posted on 06/30/2005 5:49:09 AM PDT by N3WBI3
I have been exploring the use of free Open Source software as an alternative to Microsoft Software for quite some time now. I have been using Open Office for about 8 months now for my word processing needs. In a nutshell I am satisfied. Last week a new beta was released, I downloaded it as soon as it was made available, on first view, even though the key functionality in version 2.0 Beta remains largely intact, it promises dozens, possibly hundreds, of changes.
NeLogic Content Management System The beta seems complete enough for a preliminary review. Changes to the installation, interface, general functionality, and the applications themselves, there is much that I welcome, but a few changes for the worse as well.
The beta opens on a changed interface. Some of the changes are as simple as a rationalized interface. For example, the Options dialog now refers to applications by name instead of by document type.
However, the most obvious change in the OpenOffice.org editing window is in the treatment of toolbars. The Main toolbar, formerly on the left side of the window, has been done away entirely. Same treatment goes for the sliding toolbars for lists and tables, and the long-click icon trays. Instead, the toolbars pop open when required. Although these toolbars open in the middle of the window, and often have to be dragged to one side before they can be used, on the whole, this new behavior is a much-needed simplification. It means that new users no longer have to learn non-standard interface elements. It also eliminates the confusion that sometimes resulted when two toolbars were needed -- for example, when the list toolbar was used inside a table. All toolbars, too, can now be torn off to form floating windows or docked as desired.
A large number of interface changes seem due chiefly to efforts to make refugees from Microsoft Office more at home. Specifically, the beta imitates Microsoft Office 2003. In theory, there is nothing wrong with this approach. For one thing, the imitation is two-way nowadays, with Office 2003 transferring styles to a floating palette. For another, more than two-thirds of OpenOffice.org users are on Windows, so easing the transition for them makes sense.
However, there are a few changes which are for the worse. For example, in version 1.1.4, the Fontwork tool allows graphical text to be manipulated after it was typed. By contrast, in imitation of Microsoft Office 2003, Fontwork in the beta requires users to select a generic design before typing text. Users must then double-click on the generic design to add their own text, and only then customize the design. Although the earlier version could do with a preview, the new one not only suffers the same lack, but is also far less direct and requires more steps.
Another unwelcome change is the removal of page tabs in favor of Page Panes in Draw and Impress. This change reduces free space on the screen without increasing functionality. The Navigator floating window gives the same functionality while being easy to move as needed. In changes like this, the beta comes close to being the clone that hostile reviewers claim it is, reacting to its rival instead of innovating, and being more concerned with imitation than innovation.
Conclusion
Some features that should have had a makeover in the beta didn't. They include the cross-reference system, which needs to have heading styles available as references by default, and the HTML editor, which needs support for frames and clean HTML output. Also, the entire interface could also be overhauled to give dialog windows a consistent look and feel.
Version 2.0 exhibits a growing dependency on Java. In earlier versions, new users could easily do without Java. By contrast, so many of the new features, including the movie player and wizards, require Java that in version 2.0, it is well on the way to becoming a necessity. The new support for Beanshell as a scripting language reinforces the impression. So does the fact that, in recent developer builds, other data sources such as spreadsheets can no longer be registered -- although probably this is an oversight that will be corrected before the final release. Java apps are hardly known for their speed, and these new features take noticeably longer to open than older ones.
Even without Java, OpenOffice.org is the most full-featured office application for GNU/Linux, and a major alternative to Microsoft Office on Windows. Except for Mozilla, probably no other program has introduced so many people to open source. Despite my misgivings, the beta promises enough enhancements that I'll be using version 2.0 more and more as it slouches towards final release -- just not with Java.
Download open office at http://www.openoffice.org
OSS PING
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I'm playing around with NeoOffice. So far, it compares favorably to Word
Here at the office, where I'm forced to use MS Office, I've run into a client that uses OOo. We had no problem communicating in that direction, either.
I highly recommend OOo for those who prefer not to shell out $400.00 for a word processor. It just works, it's compatible with everything, and the file formats are transparent and open. It a superior product to everything else I've tried.
Yea, there were some problmes with 'X' on OSX laptops, if it was running when the latop went into suspend sometimes it the laptop could not be woken up. NeoOffice was a nice addition my wifes PB.
Im using gnucash on my mini (which has to run through X) and gimp..
Careful guys this open source ping list is better suited to du (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1432930/posts?page=3#3)
;)
Where are you shopping????
Microsoft Works Suite includes the full version of Microsoft Word and tons of other stuff you wont find in open source all for $76.95.
Microsoft Works Suite 2005 helps your whole family handle daily tasks more easily and enjoyably by providing a great collection of six popular Microsoft programs for one great price.
Get Microsoft programs that your whole family can use, including Works, Encarta Encyclopedia, Picture It! Premium, Streets and Trips, and Money
Helpful features such as ready-to-use templates and automatic spelling and grammar checks make it easy to create professional-looking documents
Create and complete home projects quickly with 500 templates for letters, resumes, budgets, greeting cards, photo projects, and much more.
I'm sorry to see Open Office relying on Java more and more.
Why shell out $76.95 when OSS is free?
Because you get a product that is of better quality, better support for real end users and because you get software that doesn't exist in the copy cat world of open source.
Since when has a full version of Word been available in Works? (This package doesn't include Excel, Powerpoint, or Access, either.)
BTW, Crappy MS Works is not worth $76.95.
It's been a while since I priced MS Office (Pro), but that was the price I last saw. If it has come down, great!
Get Microsoft programs that your whole family can use, including Works, Encarta Encyclopedia, Picture It! Premium, Streets and Trips, and Money
Works--OOo I can use and so does my whole family
Encarta--Are you serious? You've never heard of the Internet for fact research?
Picture It!--Most any graphics program works just fine. None of us (my family) are professional photographers anyway.
Streets and Trips--Rand McNally does the same thing
Money--Gnucash is perfect for my small business and family finances.
MS offers me nothing that I can't get somewhere else--usually better, cheaper, and more reliable.
The Suite includes Picture It!, a digital photo editor that is more relevant for home use that Power Point.
Read all about Microsoft Works Suite.
Those who need more calculation power that full Excel offers, or need a presentation program like PowerPoint can upgrade to Microsoft Office. If you need a full fledged database program, then Office Professional. These programs are cheap to acquire when purchasing a new computer for the retail customer and Microsoft has deep discount programs for volume based corporate purchases. If ANYONE in your household is in school, there's an Academic version available that includes everything for $158.95!
That's a lot more value from commercial software for the average user than anything offered in Open Source.
So, in other words, despite the sales pitch, Works Suite isn't an adequate replacement. So why did you bring it up in the first place?
It's been a while since I priced MS Office (Pro), but that was the price I last saw. If it has come down, great!
Office Pro at retail does cost almost $400 but that's a lot more than a Word Processor. As I've shown, there are plenty of price points in the Microsoft Office line up that offer the consumer the best value.
Get Microsoft programs that your whole family can use, including Works, Encarta Encyclopedia, Picture It! Premium, Streets and Trips, and Money
Works--OOo I can use and so does my whole family -- That's good no?
Encarta--Are you serious? You've never heard of the Internet for fact research? --Maybe you don't want your kids on the internet when looking up stuff for school
Picture It!--Most any graphics program works just fine. None of us (my family) are professional photographers anyway. --Picture It! is pretty easy to use an critically acclaimed. It can help those non-professional photographers look like one!
Streets and Trips--Rand McNally does the same thing --What if you don't have a fancy car with a built in GPS guide but do have a laptop with Streets and Trips.
Money--Gnucash is perfect for my small business and family finances. -- I prefer something with better support than a newsgroup.
MS offers me nothing that I can't get somewhere else--usually better, cheaper, and more reliable.
Open Source offers no innovation but merely copies of successful software. And like outsourcing, will drive down the value of the work of software professionals that soon they will not exist in the US.
Works Suite is not a replacement for Office Pro but if you're looking for a Word Processor like ShadowAce, you don't have to spend $400. It what's installed on all the computers in my house besides mine because it fits the need of the other users in my house.
Keep telling that to yourself as every internet packet you send goes through a TCP/IP stack based on open source code that Microsoft uses under the BSD license.
Which was also my point. OOo is not only DL'able, but it's HDD footprint is much smaller than any MS offering, it has as many, if not more, features as MS Office PRO, the support is better and faster than MS offers, and it fits the needs of my family (and small business).
That last point is the major factor. Use what works best for you. Choice is always a good thing. If MS software works best for your situation, I'm not complaining. However, I know that OOo works best for MY situation, and I know it would work for a lot of people out there.
Taxpayers paid for the development of TCP/IP. I support DOD software contracts.
Open Source intended for commercial purposes is merely a knockoff soon to be programmed exclusively in China.
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