Is OpenOffice.org a Threat? Microsoft Thinks So

Computerworld ^ | December 29, 2009 | Glyn Moody

[antiRepublicrat]

I've played with the current OpenOffice 3.1.1 and while it is a good package, it's nowhere as polished as Office 2007 with its highly intuitive "ribbon" interface.

That ribbon interface has been a selling point for OO. Since OO currently pretty much mimics earlier office versions, a migration to OO is actually easier than a migration to Office 2007 from a user training perspective.

[Born Conservative]

We actually have a few Windows 2000 Professional boxes where I work (large healthcare system with EMR). They still do the job fine.

[TChris]

Note to Steve Ballmer:

The GUI O/S and Office Productivity Software money missile is beginning to run out of fuel. Time to come up with a Plan B, and trashing your competition's image just doesn't work any more.

[webschooner]

I prefer Google Docs. I find it really convenient, as since it is on the cloud, I can access it anywhere from any computer.

[jongaltsr]

Open office does as much as MS Office and even more. It will take getting used to the menus and options but it is a easy transition if you are techno savvy.

[Fresh Wind]

Open Office is certainly worth the money that you pay for it, but there are compatibility issues with “genuine” Microsoft files (specifically, Excel files).