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This can be prohibitive, especially if there are several computers in your office. If cost is an issue, you may want to consider the OpenOffice software package as an alternative. It includes a full-featured office suite just like Microsoft Office and best of all, it is free. You can download it to as many computers as you like without the added license fees and it enables you to manipulate data just as effectively as Microsoft Office. In our experience it works very well - indeed, in our company we started using it for all our general office needs several years ago, and we have not looked back. Here is a link to downloading it.

Overview

Open Office is capable of performing a comprehensive variety of office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet tasks that mimic Microsoft Excel, presentations that are similar to Microsoft Power Point, graphical drawings, and database tasks that operate on a simple interface. The word processor called OpenOffice Writer also allows for the publishing of HTML and PDF documents.

Benefits

The main benefit of OpenOffice is that there are no licensing fees; it is reliable in functionality, and very user-friendly. Here are some other benefits:

• Cross-Platform and Multilingual: The OpenOffice software is compatible with any computer operating system such as Windows, Linux or Mac. It is available in over 70 languages.

• Consistent Design: Open Office components are designed to work well with one another. The tools are used consistently across all of the components in the office suite and are well placed to avoid having to search for them when switching applications.

• Easy To Use: The comprehensive tutorial that is provided makes OpenOffice easy to learn, even if you have been accustomed to using another type of office suite such as Microsoft Office. The tutorial is clear and concise and the menu design for each application is similar to other office suite applications.

• Compatibility: OpenOffice is capable of reading files from many different formats that would otherwise be incompatible with most office suite software. The software has been known to be able to read files that have been deemed unusable.

OpenOffice and Microsoft Office

When it comes to similarities to the renowned Microsoft Office Suite, OpenOffice directly matches the capabilities and in some ways exceeds expectations as an open source software application.

Let’s take a look at how OpenOffice resembles Microsoft Office as well as how OpenOffice goes above and beyond the competing office suite.

• Includes Main Application Components: OpenOffice offers all of the main components that are included in Microsoft Office. Both office suites have a word processor, spreadsheet application, presentation software, database component, and math program.

• Similar Formatting Features: Both office suite programs include a formatting window with style feature, paragraph formatting, spell checking modules and math equation applications.

• Similar Operating Features: OpenOffice competes with Microsoft Office when it comes to exporting PDF, Flash, XML, and Lotus files. Additionally, both office suite applications are available with language support and easily connect to other databases.

• Advanced Graphics: OpenOffice is capable of creating vector and 3D graphics through its OpenOffice Draw component. Microsoft Office does not have this capability. OpenOffice allows for a flash export capability non-existent in the Microsoft Office Suite.

• File formats and size: The OpenOffice Writer component is often capable of generating smaller files than those in Microsoft Word. This allows for more storage space capacity. Finally, OpenOffice can both read and write Microsoft Office files - while the opposite is not the case!

The main drawback would be that there is no support - with OpenOffice you are on your own. Some would argue, however, that the support options for Microsoft Office are not much better!

In order to get high quality support, you would often need to pay up anyway. E.g. your local IT shop is often happy to help, but for a price. Please note that Eulogica Ltd does not offer a support service for OpenOffice.

We would often recommend to appoint a computer “super user” in the organisation. One person could be made responsible for helping others with anything from the office suite program, to more advanced applications. Obviously you would need to invest a bit in education for the person in question, but this could be one of the best investments you ever do.

Where to Obtain OpenOffice Suite

If you perform a lot of office tasks, and if cost is an issue, you might find OpenOffice to be just as user-friendly, convenient, and easy to use, as any alternative! Here is a link to downloading it.