It's FREE, so why pay more? (Sun StarOffice 5.2)

Member Name: cjkace

Product:	Sun StarOffice 5.2
Date:	21/05/01 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: FREE, loads of features, cross platform

Disadvantages: Can be difficult to learn if all you've used is Microsoft Office

Many people use there PC's as general purpose machines (for movies, games, writing etc) and therefore a good office package is a must. But which one, and how much do you want to pay?

From reading opinions on DooYoo it seems that most people are using a version of the Microsoft Office suite, which is now in it's XP version. The problem with Microsoft Office is it's price, at £300 plus for the new basic XP package.

There are other office suites available, notably the Lotus Smartsuite package, but there is an equally viable package that's available and it's FREE. That's right FREE - no charge.

StarOffice 5.2 is now developed by Sun, and is a multi-platform full office suite that offers some comapatability with Microsoft Office (ie it will read and save Word 95/97 documents) but unfortunately MO doesn't support StarOffice files. StarOffice 5.2 comprises of :-

Staroffice Writer - word processor with spell checker, thesaurus etc

Staroffice Base - database application

Staroffice Draw - drwaing package with 3D support

Staroffice Calc - spreadsheet application

Staroffice Impress - presentation package (much like Powerpoint)

Staroffice Schedule - organiser

Staroffice Mail - Mail client

Staroffice Discussion - News reader

Installation is quick and easy, although Sun do insist that you register, but that's a small price to pay for a free office suite.

It has to be said that Staroffice is slightly more difficult to use than MO, especially when that is what you are used to using, but perseverance brings it's own rewards. The interface is clean and continued use will soon help you to become familiar with all the buttons and functions. If I was to fully describe all of the features of Staroffice then this opinion would be huge and inevitably boring.

One advantage, besides being free, that StarOffice has over
Microsoft Office is due to it being open source, it's files can be read across a very wide variety of platforms including UNIX and LINUX.

So if you are looking for a powerful office application suite that isn't going to rip the guts out of your bank account what better choice is there? I've been using it for twelve months in various incarnations (started with 5.1) and am very happy with it.

Staroffice homepage - http://www.sun.com/staroffice/

Download size - 75 to 105 Mb - but can be found on many UK magazine coverdisks.

Specifications

Microsoft Windows:
PC with Pentium CPU
Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000
Recommended 64-Mbytes RAM (Minimum 32-Mbytes)
110-Mbytes free hard disk space (170-Mbytes for full installation)
CD-ROM drive
VGA or higher resolution graphic device with at least 256 colors(800x600)

Linux:
PC with Pentium CPU or higher
Linux kernel 2.0.x or higher
Recommended 64-Mbytes RAM (Minimum 32-Mbytes)
180-Mbytes free hard disk space (240-Mbytes for full installation)
X-server with a minimum of 256 colors or grayscale
Installed glibc version 2.1.1 or later
CD-ROM drive
VGA or higher resolution graphic device with at least 256 colors(800x600)

Try it and see. What do you have to lose?

Summary: