Which office?

STEED · 05-07-16, 09:33 AM

I still got MS Office 2003 which is now long in the tooth and I don't want to buy their new version. I have been looking at two free ones and wondering which one is the best one to go for.

Apache OpenOffice
http://www.openoffice.org/why/index.html

Or

LibreOffice 5
http://www.libreoffice.org

Dowly · 05-07-16, 10:11 AM

I've only used Apache, but it has served its purpose just fine.

Skybird · 05-07-16, 11:44 AM

Depends on what you need. if you have diverse and highly professional demands, Open Office. If you can afford a bit more relaxed attitude, I would prefer Libre Office (which I only know under Linux).

Open Office sometimes had me endlessly searching for a function.

Anyhow, for ordinary text editing, both get the job done - with flying colours. Personally, I tend towards Libre Office, but I cannot give you a killer argument for that. I also prefer the bit more colpourful presentation and style (talking about the Linux version, I do not know whether the Windows version is and looks different).

Last Microsoft stuff I tried in these regards, was edition 2010. Never liked their new menu style, and until today see no reason for myself why I would need to fall back to Microsoft, regarding typical office software. I liked the older versions of Word much better.

Rockin Robbins · 05-07-16, 01:30 PM

Both Open Office and Libre Office are branches off the same tree and very similar. I find that Open Office has a higher variety of import filters, which occasionally is important to me. I have them both installed for when I infrequently find a function I need in one but not the other. They both use the open document format (MUCH better than Microsoft's proprietary formats) so changing back and forth is seamless and 100% compatible--just like any two computer programs should play nice with each other.

STEED · 05-08-16, 04:33 AM

I tried Apache few years ago and removed it because their was some sort of issue with it, I trust it is all sorted now. I notice on reading up up on LibreOffice 5 more work and updates have gone into this one unlike Apache and has a higher recommendation. I think the best way is too give them both a try and see which one suites me.

Just one more quick question can both of them open MS office 2003 documents? More in the case of Word 2003.

Sailor Steve · 05-08-16, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Just one more quick question can both of them open MS office 2003 documents? More in the case of Word 2003.

As far as I know, yes. I use Apache and have no problems with it. It will also save in MS formats as well as its own.

d@rk51d3 · 05-08-16, 04:51 AM

I went with Libre for a free suite.

Recently bought Office 13 as the missus is doing a course, and was a requirement.

05-07-16, 09:33 AM	#1
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Which office? I still got MS Office 2003 which is now long in the tooth and I don't want to buy their new version. I have been looking at two free ones and wondering which one is the best one to go for. Apache OpenOffice http://www.openoffice.org/why/index.html Or LibreOffice 5 http://www.libreoffice.org __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

05-07-16, 11:44 AM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 41,218 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Depends on what you need. if you have diverse and highly professional demands, Open Office. If you can afford a bit more relaxed attitude, I would prefer Libre Office (which I only know under Linux). Open Office sometimes had me endlessly searching for a function. Anyhow, for ordinary text editing, both get the job done - with flying colours. Personally, I tend towards Libre Office, but I cannot give you a killer argument for that. I also prefer the bit more colpourful presentation and style (talking about the Linux version, I do not know whether the Windows version is and looks different). Last Microsoft stuff I tried in these regards, was edition 2010. Never liked their new menu style, and until today see no reason for myself why I would need to fall back to Microsoft, regarding typical office software. I liked the older versions of Word much better. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

05-07-16, 01:30 PM	#4
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,899 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Both Open Office and Libre Office are branches off the same tree and very similar. I find that Open Office has a higher variety of import filters, which occasionally is important to me. I have them both installed for when I infrequently find a function I need in one but not the other. They both use the open document format (MUCH better than Microsoft's proprietary formats) so changing back and forth is seamless and 100% compatible--just like any two computer programs should play nice with each other. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

05-08-16, 04:33 AM	#5
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	I tried Apache few years ago and removed it because their was some sort of issue with it, I trust it is all sorted now. I notice on reading up up on LibreOffice 5 more work and updates have gone into this one unlike Apache and has a higher recommendation. I think the best way is too give them both a try and see which one suites me. Just one more quick question can both of them open MS office 2003 documents? More in the case of Word 2003. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

05-07-16, 10:11 AM	#2
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,035 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	I've only used Apache, but it has served its purpose just fine.

05-08-16, 04:51 AM	#7
d@rk51d3 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,926 Downloads: 207 Uploads: 0	I went with Libre for a free suite. Recently bought Office 13 as the missus is doing a course, and was a requirement.