OpenOffice.org is a free open source software suite. After in April 2010 Oracle bought Sun Microsystems and is also in possession of OpenOffice.org, on June 1, 2011, Oracle officially announced its decision to donate the OpenOffice.org project to the Apache Software Foundation. In September 2010, some of the former developers of OpenOffice.org created the LibreOffice project that practically became OpenOffice’s follower. Since 2012, the official name of the program is Apache OpenOffice, where development has been slowing down since 2014.
OpenOffice.org is a direct competitor of the majority Microsoft Office suite. It has a similar interface and implements most of the commercial software functionality.
OpenOffice.org uses OpenDocument file formats, standardized by OASIS, as well as a set of proprietary formats, older, but very close to OpenDocument. With small exceptions, OpenOffice.org can also read and write documents in Microsoft Office formats. The project has an active community dealing with document translation, as well as other aspects related to this application. Being a free source project, collaborators will always be welcome.
Apache OpenOffice is a free alternative to the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Publisher, Excel). Apache OpenOffice is compatible with major office suites and is free of charge. It includes several modules:
Writer – a word processor that can be used when writing a letter to produce an entire book. Besides the facilities described above, Writer has other features. One of them is the Navigator, a non-existent tool in MS Office. The Navigator tool displays all objects in the document and allows them to jump quickly. The navigator can also manage the chapters in the document by moving them or changing them.
Calculate – The tool you can calculate, analyze, and present your data. There is also the possibility of synchronizing with a database. The DataPilot tool allows you to connect to a database on the internet and retrieve information there. A utility that makes Calc worthwhile is the Scenario Manager. Scenarios are sets of cells that receive their own name and can receive certain values to see the effect on the other cells or diagrams.
Impress – with which you can create multimedia presentations. The layout of elements can be done manually or with pre-defined layouts, similar to those in PowerPoint. A great emphasis is put on drawing and inserting 2D and 3D elements, Impress providing a wide range of drawing tools. There is also a custom animation system and animated transition between slides, very similar to PowerPoint.
Draw – allowing you to create dynamic 3D charts or illustrations. Because Draw is perfectly integrated into the OpenOffice.org suite, the contents of a Draw document can be used in any other document, such as Writer, without requiring import, just copy & paste.
Base – a database manipulation program. Base also integrates with other components, for example, Writer provides a list of contacts when attaching the document to an email and in Calc creates common data lists for analysis or as a basis for a chart or chart.
Math – The program creates mathematical equations through a graphical interface. Usually, Math integrates with other components (such as Writer or Calc) by typing the formulas in line with the text, but can also run separately. Mathematical formulas can be written either using the buttons on the Selection window or menu items or by directly entering the source code of the next equation in the specially designed area.
Apache OpenOffice Locations are available in 27 languages, many of which are constantly added by the community. Apache OpenOffice runs on Solaris, Linux (including PPC Linux) and Windows. Written in C ++ and documented APIs licensed under the LGPL and SISSL open-source protocols, Apache OpenOffice allows any knowledgeable developer to benefit from the source.