OpenOffice.org 3.0.0 Final

OpenOffice.org 3.0.0 is now available for download. Open Office is the best free and open source alternative to the Microsoft Office application suite and contains many drop in replacement programs to Microsoft Office’s popular Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs.

OpenOffice.org 3.0.0 is an open source office productivity software suite includes a Word Processor (Writer), a Spread Sheet (Calc), a Presentation program (Impress), a Database program, (Base) a Graphics Editor program (Draw) and a tool for creating and editing mathematical formulas with a user interface and feature set similar to other office suites.

It is available in many languages (over 45 languages) and supports multiple platforms such as Windows, Linux, MacOS X and Solaris. It supports both Microsoft Office file formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt, etc.) and the latest Microsoft Office 2007/2008 file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, etc.). Open Office also allows users to save working files to PDF format.

It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose. Open Office and its series of releases have been great and a great way to save money. Written in C++ and with documented APIs licensed under the LGPL and SISSL Open Source licenses, OpenOffice.org allows any knowledgeable developer to benefit from the source. And, because the file format for OpenOffice.org is XML, interoperability is easy, making future development and adoption more certain.

Lets take a look at Open Office suite's productivity applications:

OpenOffice Writer:

 

Writer has everything you would expect from a modern, fully equipped word processor or desktop publisher: powerful features like AutoCorrect, AutoComplete, AutoFormat, Styles and Formatting, Text Frames and Linking, Tables of Contents, Indexing, Bibliographical References, Illustrations, Tables, and other objects.

Writer is simple enough for a quick memo, powerful and stable enough to create complete books with lots of graphics, headings etc. 

OpenOffice Calc:

 

Calc is the spreadsheet you've always wanted. Newcomers find it intuitive and easy to learn; professional data miners and number crunchers will appreciate the comprehensive range of powerful features including Advanced DataPilot technology, Natural language formulas, an Intelligent Sum Button, a comprehensive range of advanced spreadsheet functions, Styles and Formatting, and a Scenario Manager for "what ifs". 

OpenOffice Impress:

Impress is a truly outstanding tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. Your presentations will stand out with 2D and 3D clip art, fontworks, special effects, animation, and high-impact drawing tools. A multi-pane view puts all the tools at your fingertips, and you can 'park' your most commonly used drawing tools around your screen ready for single-click access. Share your work in many ways: not only pdf, but also html and Flash.

OpenOffice Draw:

Draw anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan. Draw gives you the tools to communicate with graphics and diagrams. Manipulate objects, rotate in two or three dimensions; use sophisticated rendering to create photorealistic images. Smart connectors make short work of flowcharts, organisation charts, network diagrams, etc. Styles - a common OpenOffice.org feature - help you control your work easily and precisely in Draw.

OpenOffice Base:

 Base enables you to manipulate database data seamlessly within OpenOffice.org 3. Create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports, either using your own database or Base's own built-in HSQL database engine. Base offers a choice of using Wizards, Design Views, or SQL Views for beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.