OpenOffice.org For Mac OS X

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Posted by Hemos on Saturday January 4, 2003 @02:05AM from the making-it-work dept.

Chris Coleman writes "Move over Microsoft, OpenOffice.org is starting to take hold on Mac OS X. To facilitate this, we at Daemon News have put together a CD set that makes it really easy to install and use. We are also donating part of our booth space at Mac World Expo to the OpenOffice.org group to help spread awareness."

6 of 64 comments (clear)

I am so excited! by sharrestom · 2003-01-04 02:56 · Score: 5, Funny

The packaging for OpenOffice looks very professional, very attractive, though I hope the box is really large with lots of manuals. People want to buy a box with heft, you know, lots of weight, like it has big manuals in it. Maybe put a ream of inkjetpaper and a script on the back in big letters that creates a manual. People will like that. I'm going down to my CompUSA to ask that they stock this. It looks like it will cost over $500, with all of that weight, so I'll have to save up. This is bad for Microsoft. Now they will have to spend more money designing a heavier package for Office.
Quartz (Native OSX) version not ready yet. by rf600r · 2003-01-04 03:02 · Score: 5, Informative

So says this page.

"The 1.0 sources build for Quartz (Mac OS X native). OpenOffice.org doesn't work there yet, but the program compiles and links, a large first step towards beginning our Quartz and Aqua tracks. If you're a developer, find out how to build and help us get the Quartz version finished and move onto our Aqua redesign effort! Special thanks to Dan B. and Dan W. for helping to push this along!"
note : not aqua, only X by selderrr · 2003-01-04 03:39 · Score: 5, Insightful

as long as they don't adopt the aqua interface, I doubt that they'll grab any serious marketshare. Mac is all about look & feel. About interface (you know, the lickable one...)

Currently openoffice runs only under X, which is butt-ugly and completely windows oriented. Not exactly what 'switchers' have in mind IMHO.

here is a screenshot that shows the diff between X and aqua (MS Ofifce in background). The price difference not withstanding, MSOffice is hands down the winner here.

--
When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
My god you're ugly. by l-ascorbic · 2003-01-04 03:43 · Score: 5, Informative

Screenshots comparing OpenOffice.org with Office v.X show quite how far it has to go. It simply looks ghastly.
Aqua adoption timeline by selderrr · 2003-01-04 03:44 · Score: 5, Informative

more detailed schedule found here

Still a long way to go, but if they get it aquafied, MS might eventually get hurt. Offcourse, they'll change doc format faster than you can say 'blub'...

--
When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
You're doing a disservice by GlassHeart · 2003-01-04 09:53 · Score: 5, Insightful

by promoting a product that is nowhere near ready for primetime. OpenOffice for Mac OS is at alpha level, suitable really only for developers and very brave and dedicated testers. Putting in a box raises expectations to unreasonable levels, and saying "move over Microsoft" is just downright crazy.
With lies like "amazing product that will soon give Microsoft a run for its money", free software doesn't even need enemies. Please do not promote free software to the general public until it is ready.