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Open Source Word Processor

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karrie
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#1Jun 16th, 2010
Does anyone here use an open source word processor?

I find Microsoft 7's decision to sell their Office suite separately maddening, and frankly, to be an ignorant cash grab. I have no inclination to run trials of their word processor and deal with switching over. Open source seems like a better buy to me... lol.

I've run Abiword in the past and didn't mind it, but, had some troubles moving files between profs and me. That's not as much of an concern right now since I'm not currently taking any courses. Has anyone tried any others? How do you like them?
 
petros
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#2

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Open Office. It will even open MS docs and spreads.

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I like it far better than any Microsoft product and it's free.
 
karrie
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#3

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
thanks for weighing in petros. It's the first one that comes up in a search, so I was thinking it was probably one of the more popular,but, that can also just mean it has the most financial backing.
 
Dexter Sinister
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#4

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
I'll second petros' recommendation. I've been using Open Office exclusively for years, works better than anything Microsoft ever sold, and it'll both open and save files in Microsoft's Word, Excel, and Powerpoint formats.
 
karrie
#5

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
thanks Dexter
 
DurkaDurka
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#6

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by karrieView Post

thanks for weighing in petros. It's the first one that comes up in a search, so I was thinking it was probably one of the more popular,but, that can also just mean it has the most financial backing.

Any software developed is going to require funding in some way or sort. Open Office is backed by many large companies; Sun Microsystems, IBM etc, but it is also a massive software package and various people need to be paid. You certainly won't be selling your soul to the devil if you decide to give it a spin.

In my opinion though, both MS Office & Open Office will be going the way of the dinosaur in their current form pretty soon as the need for locally installed productivity apps will be negated by the likes of Google, giving you a web front end to various office apps.
 
karrie
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#7

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
So, to attempt to translate that... you'd work on the net instead of your computer itself?
 
DurkaDurka
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#8

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by karrieView Post

So, to attempt to translate that... you'd work on the net instead of your computer itself?

I mean, the application would be hosted on a remote server with an HTML based interface which you would use to manipulate documents. Similar to how web-mail works. -- for example.
 
AnnaG
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#9

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
We use Star Office on the desktop. My laptop has MS Office built in, though.
 
petros
#10

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurkaView Post

I mean, the application would be hosted on a remote server with an HTML based interface which you would use to manipulate documents. Similar to how web-mail works. -- for example.

I'd never do my financial spread sheets on a web based application.
 
DurkaDurka
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#11

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by petrosView Post

I'd never do my financial spread sheets on a web based application.

I agree, documents of that nature are probably are probably better served with a locally installed office suit, at this point anyways. But your PC could also be hijacked and have data stolen, there is no fool proof security.
 
petros
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#12

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurkaView Post

I agree, documents of that nature are probably are probably better served with a locally installed office suit, at this point anyways. But your PC could also be hijacked and have data stolen, there is no fool proof security.

The PC I use to do sensitive personal or work matters is never connected to the internet. Even updates are installed using a flash drive.

You can't be too safe.
 
karrie
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#13

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by petrosView Post

I'd never do my financial spread sheets on a web based application.

No, but my son's chore sheet would be totally fine. lol. I just need it for household stuff... pantry inventory and the like.
 
DurkaDurka
#14

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by petrosView Post

The PC I use to do sensitive personal or work matters is never connected to the internet. Even updates are installed using a flash drive.

You can't be too safe.

Yeah, that's the best route if you want the utmost security.
 
petros
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#15

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
You'll really like Open Office.

Here is a generic handy template which might save you some time.

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TenPenny
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#16

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
One kicker with web-based applications is that it essentially gives the US gov't full access to anything you do, because most of these services are hosted in the US, or by US companies, and therefore come under US homeland security regulations. If you decide to write a work of fiction about terrorists, you'll probably end up on an FBI watch list.
 
petros
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#17

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by TenPennyView Post

One kicker with web-based applications is that it essentially gives the US gov't full access to anything you do, because most of these services are hosted in the US, or by US companies, and therefore come under US homeland security regulations. If you decide to write a work of fiction about terrorists, you'll probably end up on an FBI watch list.

Every phone call (land & cel), fax, text, and email you send is recorded and held for one year by Homeland Security and CRTC in Canada.

Privacy is long gone. The agencies in North America of today hold more information about an individual than the KGB ever had on Soviet citizens.

Could you imagine being one of the people who have to sort through all the data that the computers flag as suspicious? I'd assume some would be mundane and others very entertaining to say the least.

But this is off track for making a 'to do" list for a young lad.
 
AnnaG
#18

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 16th, 2010
Quote: Originally Posted by TenPennyView Post

One kicker with web-based applications is that it essentially gives the US gov't full access to anything you do, because most of these services are hosted in the US, or by US companies, and therefore come under US homeland security regulations. If you decide to write a work of fiction about terrorists, you'll probably end up on an FBI watch list.

That sounds like a great opportunity to play with their heads.
 
spaminator
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#19

Re: Open Source Word Processor

Jun 21st, 2010
its not open source, but you can still give it a try if you want.

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