Open Office.org

[Viney]

So then, does anyone use these open source programmes? If so, are they any good? Also, Evolotion (Email client)

I use office a lot, but a mates suggested i try this (Probably to support his theory that Microsoft are taking over the world)

Anyone?

[yorkie_chris]

Nah I don't like it, just download yourself office 2005 ish

[SoulKiss]

Use OpenOffice, dont use Evolution.

The Office apps are good, never got on with Evolution.

I usually (at work) run a Linux (Ubuntu Desktop) box with VMWare Server running XP so I can get at Exchange Mail and deal with any "exotic" Office docs that OpenOffice etc dont handle

Nothing whatsoever with Evolution, and much prefer it to Thunderbird (another alternative mail client).

OOffice, again, great application. It looks like sh*te admitedly compared to MS products, but that's a familiarality issue more than anything. You'll also need to learn some new terms, as some things are badged up differently, but other than that it's all good.

The main consideration you should have is "I want to do x, y, and z, with minimal disruption whilst I'm moving to another program, can this be done?"

[Viney]

YC - i have 2003 and 2007 so dont need office, just thought i would give it a try that was all. I might load it on my laptop for a while before putting it on my PC.

I've used both, and once you get over that they're not MS looking products they do exactly what you want, without any bother.

[yorkie_chris]

My main gripe with it was it was much harder to do proper graphs on the spreadsheet app. Which for me doing engineering coursework and stuff was the most important thing about it. Seemed softened for ease of use which cut out all the useful stuff. Whether its just me who doesn't have the patience to figure it out I don't know

I use Open Office on a Mac - looks like crap, but does the job well - and costs nothing. As said before, if you have Office already don't bother - If you haven't there is no reason to not try it out - it's free and constantly updating thanks to the developer community that supports it

I use openoffice on a mac as well, and it's great stuff. Some of it isn't as good looking or dare I say it 'user-friendly' as proper office but still.

Version 1 was rubbish and almost unusable.
Version 2 was pretty decent, but a bit ugly.
OpenOffice 3 is due out in a few months, and will probably be a big improvement. It'll have a proper Mac User Interface too, so no more X11

Here's a preview of OpenOffice 3. If I were you, I'd wait until this one is released before switching.