In this era of ever changing business models, and Open Software that’s used for Apps and programs, I think it’s interesting that people are still buying Microsoft Office upgrades. If you have a computer that can connect to the internet – why not use one of the Open Document Format (ODF) programs that are Free? After all, Open Document Format is supported in MS Office 2007 SP2 and it is supported in MS Office 2010. With that being said I think its safe to say there will soon be a new de facto file format in the world of office software.
The new programs have an interface that isn’t as polished as MS Office but they do support Office binary formats (meaning extension that end in doc, ppt and xls), and the Office Open XML formats introduced in Microsoft Office 2007 ( with extensions of docx, pptx and xlsx). In addition to these “mainstream” (and well known) formats – the new Open Source Document Programs support the newer Open Office default format with the newer XML based Open Document Formats including odt, odp, ods, and odg. One of the main things I feel these programs lack is a clipart, theme gallery – but there are about a ba-jillion of those available for free on the web!What am I talking about? Well, have you looked at Google Docs? Google Docs is a free office suite that includes Word Document, Presentation Documents, Spreadsheets and Web Form Creator! To use it you must have an internet connection and a Google (gmail) account. Google Docs supports ODF files, and Office binary files, and even though Google Docs may not be as robust as some desktop software, it does have the advantage of allowing you to share files and collaborate in real time with any one else who has a Google account. So the “downside” to Google docs is that you can’t really use it offline.
IBM Lotus Symphony is another free office suit which is also, compatible with ODF, Office bianary formats, and it can open but 
not save as Office Open XML formats. Lotus Symphony also has the ability to export files as PDFs. The Suite has a tabbed interface for easy switching between multiple documents, and a built in web browser, but does not not have a graphic or database program like OpenOffice and Go-OO. The other slightly negative feature to Symphony is that while it is Freeware, it is not completely open-source.
Another good option for ODF software is Go-OO. This is a branch of the popular free and open source OpenOffice.org software. Like Google Docs, Go-OO is free for all uses weather it’s business or personal. The programs interface isn’t as polished as MS Office but it does support Office binary formats (doc, ppt and xls), and the Office Open XML formats (docx, pptx and xlsx), as well as the ODF XML Formats (odt,odp,ods,odg). Go-OO includes Write which is a word processor, Calc which is the spreadsheet, Impress which is the presentation creator, Draw which is an application for creating graphics charts and diagrams, and Base for creating databases. Go-OO also has the native ability to export your documents as PDF files.
So if you are trying to save some money, maybe you have an old desktop you’re using on a limited basis that needs an upgrade… consider free and open-source softw
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