Microsoft Office 2007 Word vs OpenOffice 3 Writer by Vlatko Lukarov

Microsoft Word 2007 Word processing tool which inherited 26 years of development from Microsoft Word processing tool which inherited 26 years of development from Microsoft Piece of software developed to create, read, write and save information in textual format Piece of software developed to create, read, write and save information in textual format First released in 1983 First released in 1983 Can be sold as Standalone application, or incorporated in Microsoft Office Software package. Can be sold as Standalone application, or incorporated in Microsoft Office Software package.

Microsoft Word 2007 No real competition for many successive years, so it pretty much paved the way how a text processing tool should look like and the functionalities provided; No real competition for many successive years, so it pretty much paved the way how a text processing tool should look like and the functionalities provided; Not necessarily the best one, but more like the most widespread solution; Not necessarily the best one, but more like the most widespread solution; Pricey (The cheapest “Student Edition” is around 150$) Pricey (The cheapest “Student Edition” is around 150$)

OpenOffice Writer Originally developed as proprietary software but later on was purchased by Sun Microsystems Originally developed as proprietary software but later on was purchased by Sun Microsystems The code goes public in 2000, with the intention to build open source community around the software solution The code goes public in 2000, with the intention to build open source community around the software solution Although still has small portion of the market, the possibilities for future development are enormous Although still has small portion of the market, the possibilities for future development are enormous

Microsoft Word 2007

OpenOffice Writer

Word vs. Writer Input: keyboard Input: keyboard Process: Text Editing Process: Text Editing Output: *.doc/*.docx Output: *.doc/*.docx (default settings) Powerful functionality formatting Powerful functionality formatting Multiple file types supported: *.doc, *.docx, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.psw, *.pwd, *.htm/l, Multiple file types supported: *.doc, *.docx, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.psw, *.pwd, *.htm/l, Input: keyboard Input: keyboard Process: Text Editing Process: Text Editing Output: *.odt Output: *.odt (default settings) Powerful functionality formatting Powerful functionality formatting Even more file types supported: *.doc, *.docx, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.psw, *.pwd, *.pdf, *.odt, *.ott Even more file types supported: *.doc, *.docx, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.psw, *.pwd, *.pdf, *.odt, *.ott Exporting macromedia flash files, HTML, and supports many other word processors Exporting macromedia flash files, HTML, and supports many other word processors

Word vs. Writer Writer is much more flexible than Word Writer is much more flexible than Word – Supports both MS file types and many more Word has to install manually a plug-in to be able to open Writer’s files Word has to install manually a plug-in to be able to open Writer’s files Differences and similarities in the GUI of both text processing solutions Differences and similarities in the GUI of both text processing solutions

Word vs. Writer Since Word has a long tradition of being the most widespread software, it pretty much defined how a text processing software should look like Since Word has a long tradition of being the most widespread software, it pretty much defined how a text processing software should look like However, having this pride in mind, the developers launched a new design of the Interface, which is a nice eye candy, but the users are lost while looking for a certain function However, having this pride in mind, the developers launched a new design of the Interface, which is a nice eye candy, but the users are lost while looking for a certain function Many toolbars, glass buttons, ribbons, many gadgets to ease the access of use Many toolbars, glass buttons, ribbons, many gadgets to ease the access of use

Word vs. Writer Writer as younger solution follows more classical User Interface, which is present in the Word 2003 edition. Writer as younger solution follows more classical User Interface, which is present in the Word 2003 edition. Simple look and design, without many toolbars displaying, gives natural and neat text processor, without overburdening the workspace Simple look and design, without many toolbars displaying, gives natural and neat text processor, without overburdening the workspace

Word vs. Writer One of the very strong advantages of Writer is its portability One of the very strong advantages of Writer is its portability It can be run on a vast selection of platforms: It can be run on a vast selection of platforms: – Windows, any Linux Distribution, MacOS, Solaris (of course) Word is available only for Windows and MacOS Word is available only for Windows and MacOS

Word vs. Writer Another positive side is the small usage of resources by the Writer, since the structure of the solution is just another instance of the base OpenOffice package, while Word has to be loaded as a separate program. Another positive side is the small usage of resources by the Writer, since the structure of the solution is just another instance of the base OpenOffice package, while Word has to be loaded as a separate program. Small installation, and quick load time of both solutions Small installation, and quick load time of both solutions

Word vs. Writer Word has enormous experience, better customer service (after all it is for money) Word has enormous experience, better customer service (after all it is for money) Writer tends to freeze from time to time, but it has excellent recovery utility, so literally a single character is not lost, while Word has partial recovery of unsaved files Writer tends to freeze from time to time, but it has excellent recovery utility, so literally a single character is not lost, while Word has partial recovery of unsaved files

Word vs. Writer No winner in this comparison No winner in this comparison Both solutions so far serve do the job, Word as an older brother paves the way of how text processing tools should develop Both solutions so far serve do the job, Word as an older brother paves the way of how text processing tools should develop Writer is great for those who cannot afford to buy Word, for the enthusiasts to try out something different than Microsoft Solutions Writer is great for those who cannot afford to buy Word, for the enthusiasts to try out something different than Microsoft Solutions Excellent for future developers to train their skills while editing the code and the functionality of the software Excellent for future developers to train their skills while editing the code and the functionality of the software

Thank you