Previous by Date | Next by Date | Date Index
Previous by Thread | Next by Thread
| Thread Index
| LM_NET
Archive
| |
In a message dated 1/6/05 2:46:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, tdoyle@MUHSD.K12.CA.US writes: Is anyone using Open Office as an alternative to MS Office? I've used it in my computers for awhile now since there is no site license covering the library. So far as compatibility, it works fine for the most part, although I have seen some interesting results from MS templates. The same computers also have Claris4 and MS Works, and I've noticed students prefer using them over Open Office, mostly because they are more familiar. We had a program to give computers to students and Open Office was included with no reported problems. Problems I've found: no clipart or templates, copying from web pages often makes for unreadable documents unless the user knows to select "Plain text" in the pasting operation (I believe this has something to do with tables in web pages and how Open Office interprets them), graphics copied into documents are often only visible as an outline except through Print Preview, and weak presentation software (as of 1.0.0). I often have to coach users on which application to use (ie, use text, not html), and explain that the picture really is there even though you can't see it. Another caveat- Open Office must be set to save in MS format in preferences for each application or it will save in its proprietary Star/Open Office format that will be unusable elsewhere. Yes, it is a viable alternative provided the user doesn't want frills, or things like MS Access or Publisher as these are not supported. Hope this helps. E. Williams University City HS Philadelphia, PA 19104 -------------------------------------------------------------------- All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/ LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------