ChristiansUnite Forums

Brothers and Sisters,

I've been using Open Office 2.01 and previous versions, and I'm extremely happy with the entire package.

Open Office 2.02 Final is officially out, and there are supposed to be some great improvements. In fact, there are all kinds of extras that you can download now for it that are also free (ie. templates, clip art, spreadsheet and database samples, etc.). If I understand correctly, there is several hundred megs of extras that are also completely FREE WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

In my opinion, this is better and faster than Microsoft Office, and it has many more features. I'm almost sure that SUN is behind this - the same folks who publish JAVA FREE to anyone who wants it. In short, it is:

1 - Completely FREE!
2 - No strings attached!
3 - No adware, virus, trojan, or any other problems of any kind.
4 - Set up takes minutes, and it works immediately.
5 - It's first class all the way.
6 - It's almost completely compatible with all Microsoft Office products, including SQL Database.
7 - There is no reason to spend $300 to $500 for an outstanding office suite when you can get it free. In fact, the work will go back and forth between Microsoft Office and Open Office.
8 - If I understand this correctly, 2.02 is also compatible with Word Perfect.
9 - Open Office DOES NOT hog your entire computer like Microsoft Office.

The Home Page for Open Office Final 2.02 is  http://www.openoffice.org/ 

You will have to do a search for the free extras, but you might be able to get most of them at      ftp://ftp.fsf.hu/OpenOffice.org_hu/devel/OOB680_m5_Premium/

The above site is Hungarian and FTP, but you can get English files on the same site. The Hungarian files include a "_hu" in the file names, and the English files have "_en" in the file names. I'll warn you now that there are some monster files, so you will probably need a fast connection to download the extras. I think that the program files are 89 megs, and the extra files are over 500 megs.

ENJOY!!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 3:11-13 NASB  This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

Tom, I'm a big fan of Open Source software and have been using OpenOffice.org, Firefox and Thunderbird for some time.

Here's another link to the extras you mention:

http://ooextras.sourceforge.net/

Hello Mizar,

First, WELCOME!


I'm looking forward to reading your posts and having fellowship with you.

I really appreciate that link. I am really enjoying Open Office, not just because it's completely FREE. It's outstanding software that easily competes with commercial software. In fact, I do think it's better than Microsoft Office.

I just don't have the money for the expensive software, so I found out several years ago how to have great software on your computer and almost no money involved.

I also use Firefox and Thunderbird, and I think they are excellent. It's really ironic that they seem to run circles around their commercial competition.

I'm not completely cheap, but I do have to be careful with what little money I have. I do make some donations to the authors of FREEWARE and Open Source software that I use the most. I simply want them to stay encouraged and keep working so that average people can have first class software on their computers.

Mizar, I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 119:114 NASB  You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.

Thank you for the kind welcome! I have to admit I'm more of a browser than a contributor, but I'll scatter a few pearls from time to time I daresay.

Other OSS programs I have are The GIMP and Audacity, with freeware such as CDBurner Pro and Irfanview.

Hi Mizar, Welcome to Christians Unite. I look forward to seeing a few of those pearls.

Hello Mizar, welcome to CU  :D.

I just picked up one pearl (your link) and as does PR, I look forward to more pearls (the Godly pearls)

Hi aIa2w, and thanks for the welcome.

I'm the one who sneaks in 10 minutes late, sits at the back and hopes no one will notice. To have the attention of 3 Global Moderators (no less) is ... um ... quite an experience ...

Don't let that bother you Mizar  ...  we don't bite.   ;) ;D ;D

10 minutes late  ???  there's almost always at least 1 moderator here 24/7  ;D ;D ;D ;D

No we won't bite, but we have a penguin in the freezer .....er........watch out he got loose
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/airIam2worship/7.gif)

oooppps looks like he's melting

 :o :o :o :o

are freeware safe.  i do not have any office in my Computer (i just bought it). so if these are free i wanted to download.  also, is there a C+++ free program i can download.  i just wanted to learn a bit programing (i have a friend who can help me use it). is the java free better than C+++.

anyway, i wanted to download open office later if it is safe.

I don't know about any that are C+++ but yes the Open Office is completely free and is free from all spyware/adware. There are no attachments of that sort whatsoever with it.

thank you Pastor Roger. i will download it and try it.

God bless you and your family

so far the OpenOffice Freeware are great!!!! i guess i do not have to install the Office i bought.  ;)

Hello Blad,

I've been using Open Office now for over 3 years and feel it is much safer than Microsoft Office. It's a real winner as far as I'm concerned, and you can't beat the price: FREE!

I've never had a problem of any kind with downloads. Open Office probably represents the flagship of the open source (FREE) software market. If you use an official download site, I would consider it completely safe. I must add that it's first class and actually performs better than Microsoft Office in many areas.

http://www.openoffice.org/

The above is the home site for Open Office.

Time to upgrade, everybody - OpenOffice 2.0.3 is here (http://download.openoffice.org/2.0.3/).

Hello Mizar,

Thanks for the update information. I really appreciate it. I'm very surprised that there is a new version out so soon. If it gets much better, they'll put Microsoft Office out of business.

Love In Christ,
Tom

One of the new features is a "Check for updates" option on the Help menu. I don't know whether this will be patches or having to download the whole thing again. I hope it's the former.

The more I use it the better I like it!

Hello Mizar,

It would be nice to get smaller updates instead of having to download the whole thing again, but I would have to say that I'm so happy with it that I really don't mind. I think that many of the folks working on it are avoiding the huge file sizes and security problems that has plagued Microsoft. Microsoft could never dream of producing an entire office suite in under 100 megs and one that would be so versatile and safe to use. I read some reviews on 2.01 when it came out, and the governments of whole countries are going to it. It turns out that they get some of the bills paid with documentation and training. The regular help system that comes with it is more than adequate for most people, and if you can already use Microsoft - you can use Open Office with no problem at all. I really think it's easier to use than Microsoft, so I'll never be spending $500 for an office suite ever again. I'll gladly buy some of the Open Office books just to help them out, but I really find that the help materials already with it are excellent.

I can also see churches and charities using this software to reduce their costs. There really isn't a reason any longer to spend big money every 3 to 5 years just to have a good office suite. Most of us know that the Microsoft plan was to get everyone to buy a new suite every 5 years or go without support. Microsoft has the same plan for operating systems, and I expect there already is excellent alternatives that are either free or almost free. The Microsoft monopoly is just about over - Microsoft just doesn't know it yet.   :D

Love In Christ,
Tom

Titus 2:11-14 NASB  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

I'm actively encouraging people to adopt Open Source Software and produced the following information:

Open Source Software

There is a growing trend to move away from commercial software to what is called “Open Source Software” (OSS). Using the power of the Internet, programmers from all over the world are able to collaborate on producing high-quality software which is in the public domain and therefore free to the end-user.

“Open source” indicates that the actual source computer program is not a commercial, copyrighted secret but freely available to anyone.

The biggest advantage to adopting OSS, of course, is the cost. Instead of buying software or buying a licence for several computers, OSS is simply downloaded from the Internet and installed on as many computers as necessary.

A second advantage is that the user is no longer tied to a particular manufacturer who is at liberty to change the software periodically, necessitating expensive upgrades. Instead, any documents produced are to an independent, open standard which is not a commercial secret.

Thirdly, open source promotes software reliability and quality by supporting independent peer review and rapid development of source code.

In the UK the Cabinet Office has published the Government's policy on open source software (http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/documents/oss_policy_version2.pdf). It includes the statement “UK Government will consider OSS solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements. Contracts will be awarded on a value for money basis.“

The Office of Government Commerce has produced its final report on open source software in Government (http://www.ogc.gov.uk/embedded_object.asp?docid=1003914). One of its conclusions is “Open Source software is a viable and credible alternative to proprietary software for infrastructure implementations, and for meeting the requirements of the majority of desktop users.” This report contains many case studies, some cost/savings comparisons and is thoroughly recommended as an authoritative, independent and balanced assessment of OSS.

Much of the Internet is powered by the Linux operating system, Apache server software and MySQL databases - all open source applications.

And if you want more convincing, try OSS Watch (http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/) for its further and higher education perspective, the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/opensource/) and the experiences of the Beaumont Hospital (http://www.netproject.com/docs/Beaumont.pdf) (look for the words "astonishing cost savings!).

Thanks Mizar!

I really appreciate the links and information. Open source software is becoming more available by the minute in just about all categories. People should NOT associate open source software with virus, embedded advertising, limited functions, or any other kind of problem. Just the opposite - open source software is many times cutting edge technology, easily competes with commercial software, and is completely SAFE to download and use.

In fact, open source software is now rated along with the commercial programs by many reputable reviewers. It is interesting to note that the open source software many times wins in the reviews against the commercial software. One can find many examples at places like Softpedia and CNet. The only problem appears to be that many outlets for software don't list them because they aren't paid to list and advertise open source software.

Thanks again for the links and information. I added them to my bookmarks.

Love In Christ,
Tom