OpenOffice.org announced that the final release of version 1.1 of the software is available for free download -- with versions for the Windows, Linux and Solaris operating systems.
OpenOffice is a collection of applications, such as a word processor and a spreadsheet program, based on Sun Microsystems' StarOffice. The software has been downloaded more than 20 million times since it was released early last year and has become a common companion to the open-source Linux operating system in packaged software and pre-installed on budget PCs.
The 1.1 update includes a number of improvements to address some of the most common complaints from early adopters, said Sam Hiser, co-leader of the marketing project for OpenOffice.org. Structural changes mean that documents load significantly faster than in the original version, and tweaks to the user interface make it easier to find the right tools.
The new version also includes built-in support for translating documents into Adobe Systems' PDF (Portable Document Format), which can be read by any PC equipped with Adobe's free, widespread Reader software. OpenOffice can already handle the vast majority of document formats, including those generated by Microsoft applications, but PDF export will add an extra level of interchange, Hiser said.
"If you really want to make sure everyone you're collaborating with can read something, PDF is really useful, and it's a very efficient and secure format," he said.
Microsoft is set to release the next version of Office -- Office 2003 -- in a few weeks. The software emphasises new features that are based on XML (Extensible Markup Language) that help tie applications into back-end computing systems.
Hiser said OpenOffice stacks up well in that regard. "We're several years ahead on XML. It's a native, default file format for us... and the open-source side is very competitive on integration," he said.
But Michael Gartenberg, an analyst for Jupiter Research, said the wealth of ready-made integration and add-on tools that will surround Office 2003 will help make it a compelling upgrade for businesses. OpenOffice won't pose a significant threat to Microsoft, he said -- at least not until it can guarantee 100 percent compatibility with existing document formats.
"Whatever business interest there is (in OpenOffice) is mostly as a negotiating tool, when they're talking with Microsoft about licensing terms," Gartenberg said. "The question is: will any of them actually go this route? Can they make it work?"
Hiser said it's likely that there will be one or two smaller revisions of OpenOffice over the next year, as the development team finalises specifications for version 2.0, which will introduce a new architecture. "I think 2.0 is really when we start to become a household word," he said.
Talkback
"Whatever business interest there is (in OpenOffice) is mostly as a negotiating tool,..."
Don't believe it for a minute. In these tight economic times if a business can find a way to save thousands of dollars in licensing fees and get 80-90% of the same value they are going to go for it. I use OpenOffice on Linux and WinXP computers and hardly ever miss MS Office. OO is not perfect, but it's plenty good enough for day-to-day work.
By "80- 90% of the same value " perhaps you're confusing "as good as" with "identical to" ?
As people adjust once again to the fact that there can be different word-processors, spreadsheets and office suites, which can differ without neccessarily being inferior to another, switching away from the "standard" will be less and less of an issue.
Remember Lotus 1-2-3, ord Perfect, etc. It's happened before, and it will again -- especially since this time moving *away* from MS will improve inter-operability.
"OpenOffice won't pose a significant threat to Microsoft, he said -- at least not until it can guarantee 100 percent compatibility with existing document formats."
Since when has microsoft offered 100% compatibility between it's own formats and between windows and mac office?
Seven of my current clients are converting to Open Office as they replace thier older machines. there have been only minor issues (file extensions) on the old machines. The savings so far are allowing them to accomplish many other projects that were on hold.
Now, two years later (2005), OOo is due for its next facelift.
The "negotiating tool" denial is starting to look kind of anaemic. I install OOo on every machine I visit, and leave it there for "recovering broken documents, checking virussed documents, making PDFs, and for the day MS Office breaks. Oh, yeah, and it's got a drawing tool as well, and does better web page editing than Word. It's the real deal, not a demo".
About one in three ends up using it for everyday work, and about half of the sites start deploying it on any new machine that doesn't have a "power user" (person with definite if not always rational ideas about what software they want; cause of an inordinate number of tech support calls) destiny.