No, that is not MS Word. That’s a screenshot of Writer, the word-processor component of OpenOffice. It’s user interface is so similar to that of MS Word that switching to OpenOffice Writer will be easier than posting a blog with WordPress. Not only that OpenOffice is an open source application but it can also run on Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and Solaris. And more importantly, it doesn’t cost a centavo to own it.
MS Word addicts curious to experiment on other word processors but wary of the compatibility challenges open source is supposed to present will find OpenOffice Writer considerably easier to install and configure. It is also highly compatible with MS Word. In fact, you don’t have to learn many new commands and terminologies because for the most part, everything is in the same place. If you are heavily into keyboard shortcuts you will find that Crtl+C is still Copy, Crtl+S is also Save, Crtl+P prints your document, etc.
There are also some very minor differences. In MS Word, for example, to change the page layout options, you would go to File > Page Layout. In OpenOffice Writer you would go to Format > Page, which actually makes more sense, considering that commands in the File menu are not meant for formatting tasks. In Writer, all things related to formatting are in the Format menu.
Here are some features you will find useful in OpenOffice Writer:
A highly customizable interface
Auto Pilot (document templates)
AutoCorrect dictionary
AutoComplete (it suggests words as you type)
Stylist
Digital signature
Navigator
Formula
Java Plug-in
Media player
Bibliography Database
PDF exporting
And many more. Three blogs ago I pointed out that OpenOffice is compatible with various document types, including Microsoft Word documents (from 6.0 to XP). It also allows you to save by default in Word format for your boss or friends and enemies who are still locked into Microsoft products. Or for yourself, when you have to open you documents in computers that don’t run OpenOffice Writer.
One good reason for switching to Openoffice Writer is the pleasure of “getting clean” following years of addiction to Microsoft products. If you’d like to have that sweet sensation of freedom from Microsoft dependency, then OpenOffice is the ultimate way to get started.
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OO writer definitely is a good and free alternative to Word. however, it still suffers the same problems that ravages word. i still get lots of crashes when writing graphics heavy articles. it’s good for quick and dirty one page memos and letters though. for my part, i’ve pretty much given up on OO and Office when writing papers that is more than 5 pages long.
Kind of unusual, because I never experienced any problems with OO. I hope you are using version 2.0. It’s the only office program I use now. MS sucks.
MS sucks indeed. Have installed Open Office on my son’s WinXP Pro computer and he hasn’t been out of his room since, except for meals and the trips to the bathroom. Am waiting for the Linux system installer that a friend has sent me so I can turn that desktop into a true open source machine.
i am using 2.0 beta. but it’s no big deal when it comes to wordprocessing though. i’m using LaTeX for preparing documents. i still use OO Calc though i miss some features of Excel that i don’t think will be implemented in Calc soon.