Where Do I Go Now That Oracle Owns OpenOffice.org?

eldavojohn writes "So I noted that there was better support for my processor in the latest BIOS for my mainboard. After downloading the update, there was a .doc file containing flashing instructions. No matter, I have OpenOffice.org installed on this machine and just opened it up. And, as should be no surprise, there was an Oracle logo splash screen while OpenOffice.org 3.2 started up. At my job, I've had a less than favorable history with Oracle that I'm not going to get into — rather let's just say I never want anything to do with them again. Including installing any of their software on my machine. So I'm facing a dilemma. I've looked into the forked LIbreOffice but that's still in beta and I'm a little wary of depending on that. Has anyone used LibreOffice (it's installing as I type this) extensively? Does it handle complex Powerpoint files okay? Is there some alternative out there that I'm completely overlooking for open source? Can anyone convince me that there's no reason to fear the Oracle OpenOffice.org? Will it remain the de facto standard? Will it eventually lock me into a commitment with Oracle? If you get by without one of these heavyweight monster editors, what do you use and how do you handle doc, ppt, (etc.) extensions?"

Comments

Microsoft Office

[Anonymous Coward]

If you don't want to deal with Oracle. Then buy Microsoft Office. You never said you didn't want to deal with Microsoft too.

Re:Microsoft Office

[Yvan256]

And if you don't want to deal with Microsoft either, you can buy a Mac mini and iWork!

Close your eyes while logo is displayed

[Anonymous Coward]

LibreOffice has the spanish word "libre" in it. I can't use that either because I strongly condemn the actions during the Spanish Inquisition.

Java, OpenOffice, MySQL are all GPL or better and no one can change that.

Re:Don't be launching VirtualBox either.

[TheRaven64]

and throw it in a barrel of quicklime

There was a bit of dust on my screen next to the l, so that looked like you said he threw it in a barrel of quicktime. Somehow, the sentence still seemed plausible, it just looked like you'd confused CEOs...

Oracle Logo ?

[denisbergeron]

Your problem is the Oracle Logo... go to gnome-look.org and find a new splash screen that suit you.

Re:Write to the manufacturer

[Spad]

Then get them to email the PDF to you, but make sure they include a message to let you know what it is, something like:

"Here's the file you were after, hope it helps"

Re:LibreOffice relies heavily on Java,

[Spad]

they may as well close down java.com and close up their database business while they are at it, nobody would trust working with oracle owned properties for anything of any consequence

Give them time, they seem to be working on it full time at the moment.

Re:Be Patient

[oldspewey]

I think the real question here is: if Microsoft were to somehow buy LibreOffice, how many heads would simultaneously explode around the world?

Re:Write to the manufacturer

[acnicklas]

....I've just churned your asses...

Sounds kinky.

Re:Write to the manufacturer

[dominious]

EXEC 4:

Guys, we are all right here at the water cooler btw. Why are we texting on /. and not talking to each other instead?

Re:Write to the manufacturer

[ultranova]

There may exist some such people, but I submit to you that they're removing themselves from the gene pool because anyone who's that completely rigid about such a ridiculous thing has almost no chance of producing offspring that will survive to adulthood.

"Use .doc format or your children won't see adulthood."

Isn't that going a bit far, even for Microsoft?

Re:Write to the manufacturer

[PseudonymousBraveguy]

but apparently you've got a ways to go yet in the subtlety and satire department.

Actually we are pretty famous for our complete lack of humor.