Best free/open source productivity software

[logand]

Here's the deal: I'm the 'tech person' for a small nonprofit org that is replacing several computers. In tandem with the replacement, we'll be re-loading all the computers with a standard office suite, software, etc. However, when I showed them how much the MS Office 2003 Professional Edition costs ($325 I think), they were shocked. Anyway, the deal is I would like to know what office programs/office suites people would recommend. I already know about OpenOffice, what about others, such as StarOffice? We also need a program that could replace MS Publisher as well.

[RobRich]

OpenOffice.org and StarOffice are essentially the same basic software package from a fundemental standpoint. OpenOffice.org is your best bet for replacing Microsoft Office.

BTW, Abiword is a nice open source replacement for Microsoft Word, but it is only a word processor.

[logand]

Yeah, so far I figured OpenOffice is my best bet. BTW, anyone have a better image program than the Gimp?

[stevemu]

Open office should do what you want , what is it about Gimp you want to improve
only thing i fins is it is a bit less of a user friendly front end than PS but appart from that
does most things once you figure it out

S

[VHockey86]

Gimp lacks simple vector drawing tools though doesn't it?
Although I suppose it's quite possible I simply can't find them.
Regardless, a very nice package for the price.

[elroy]

Just heard on CNN that the city of Los Angeles is considering switching to Open Office. Savings of $5.2 million annually. They have M$ Office on 26,000 machines.

[RobRich]

CNN is a month late, but the news story is correct.

http://www.techimo.com/newsapp/index.pl?photo=13086

[magicfreak32]

My solution would be Limewire/Bittorent, but I supose your office might want a "legal" copy... heh

So I would use Open Office and then use AbiWord for word procesing, since I think Open Office's spell checker sucks.

[logand]

I myself have a fully legal copy of MS Office 2003 Professional, so Limewire/Bittorent wouldn't even be necessary magicfreak32. I've downloaded OpenOffice yesterday, it looks like it will work for their purposes. The only problem is there isn't a good Publisher alternative, does anyone know of a good Publisher replacement?

As for the Gimp, it's not so much that there's something wrong with it, I'm just wondering if someone knows if there is another program that compares with it. BTW, does anyone know how to do text formatting in The Gimp? It's probably just me, but I'm not even seeing a way to use a different font.

[omalleytrading]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

CNN is a month late, but the news story is correct.

http://www.techimo.com/newsapp/index.pl?photo=13086

My bet is that LA is just doing this to get a deal from Micro$oft. The cost of converting that many PCs to a new Office Suite would be more than any savings they would realize for the next 5 years.

In light of what other countries have done by jumping on the Linux bandwagon, my guess is that we'll see Micfo$oft offer them a huge discount, and LA will stick with Office.