Leveraging OpenOffice.org as a free alternative to MS Office

[Larry Sabo]

Anyone leveraging OOo as a free alternative to MS Office? So many of my clients require MS Word that I wrote a detailed article explaining how to install and set up OOo so it's very compatible with MS Word. Most are very pleased to have something so compatible, and free, especially when MS Office Home & Student is $160 CAD around here! OOo just begs to be incorporated into my marketing efforts, and probably yours, especially as back-to-school time is just around the corner. I just wish there was a script to automate the process.

Edit: If you find the article useful, feel free to copy and use it, provided you include attribution and a backlink.

 

[4ycr]

If a client asks for something but does not want or need office then I suggest and sometimes install OOo, but I have a few clients that complain about formatting issues when they open a document from OOo and they are using word.

 

[mraikes]

... So many of my clients require MS Word that I wrote a detailed article explaining how to install and set up OOo so it's very compatible with MS Word.....

+1 for very nicely and professionally written instructions.

 

[Larry Sabo]

If a client asks for something but does not want or need office then I suggest and sometimes install OOo, but I have a few clients that complain about formatting issues when they open a document from OOo and they are using word.

Do you recall just what formatting was problematic? I produce a 6-8 page community newsletter with columns, tables, graphics, etc. and the only thing I found with the imported Word version of the newsletter was clip-art graphics would have a border, whereas the original had not. The border is easily removed, though, so that wasn't a huge problem. Also, macros may or may not be a problem, but that has never been an issue.

 

[4ycr]

He never went into details but claimed he could spot a OOo document compared to a Word document most of the time.

tbh I have not noticed it but because of that customer I usually say a small disclaimer before I install and no one bothers about it because it is free

 

[lassenpc]

We suggest OOO for any new PC, and for any business / agency looking to upgrade MS Office; switch quite a few home users over, but I am amazed at quite a resistance on the business end, even with d/l and installing for a tour, explaining the compatibility, and FREE. But, not my $$$. /shrug

Nice article btw

 

[iisjman07]

I usually get to install it because a client buys a machine off us, asks if it comes with word, acts shocked when we say it's extra (as if they think it comes with the OS and we're scamming them) and when we say it costs around £80 they practically crap themselves. I tell them we can install a free office program that should do what they require and there we are...

 

[Cybjun]

Nice article and nice website. I understand there are people that just have something against Microsoft but micosoft now offer Office Web Apps and all you need is a live account.

 

[Larry Sabo]

@mraikes, lassenpc and Cybjun: thanks for the kind comments re the article/site.