You Can Always Get OpenOffice.org

By Robert Barcus

Many first-time computer users and veterans alike always complain about not having Microsoft Word or Excel on their computer. They're always surprised when the system they buy from Wal-Mart or Best Buy doesn't come with the entire Microsoft Office Suite, or with a short trial version. These are the standards when it comes to business computing and are pretty much required when it comes to operating your business. The catch for many bugdet-minded computer users is that Microsoft Office can become quite expensive if you want the entire suite of programs. Fortunately, there is an alternative.

The OpenOffice.org Solution

OpenOffice.org has become a widespread alternative to the high-priced productivity suites available from other software vendors. It has many of the same features available in expensive software packages at a very affordable price. In fact, it will cost you nothing - OpenOffice.org is available as a free download. It was first released in 2002 and has quickly become a hit with many computer users worldwide.

OpenOffice.org is an "open source" program, meaning that the source code of the program is openly available. Nearly a half million people have collaborated over a period of more than 20 years to create OpenOffice.org. The primary sponsors of this open source project include Sun Microsystems, Novell, RedHat, IBM, Google, and others. There are no license fees associated with OpenOffice.org and the program can be distributed freely.

OpenOffice.org Writer

Writer is the OpenOffice.org equivalent of Microsoft Word. It can be used as a word processing or desktop publishing program and contains many powerful features. You can use Writer to create simple one page documents or use it to create more complex works with images, tables, headings, and complete formatting. Writer reads and writes Microsoft Word documents and you can convert your documents into PDF's directly from the toolbar!

OpenOffice.org Calc

Calc is the OpenOffice.org equivalent of Microsoft Excel. It is an excellent spreadsheet program that is easy to learn for beginners and contains more advanced options for the seasoned user. Calc reads and writes Microsoft Excel documents and some people find Calc easier to use than Excel. You can also export your spreadsheets as PDF's.

OpenOffice.org Draw

Forget about Paint or expensive graphics programs - use OpenOffice.org Draw instead! With Draw, you can create quick and simple drawings to complex illustrations and graphics. You can also use Draw to create flowcharts and network diagrams.

OpenOffice.org Impress

If you need to create presentations, Impress is your answer. OpenOffice.org Impress is the equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint. You can use Impress to create various multimedia presentations. You can also export your presentation as a PDF or Flash.

OpenOffice.org Base

OpenOffice.org Base is the equivalent of Microsoft Access. You can work with tables and forms in various databases. You can create new databases with the design wizards or use the built-in HSQL database engine for more advanced queries. Base is simple enough for beginners, but contains many useful features for advanced computer users.

About the Author:

Robert Barcus is the Director of Operations for Apheus Solutions, LLC - a website design and PC repair company located in Indiana.