[X Newbies] Ms office/Open office

[Randy B. Singer]

Christopher Hack said:

>Following the discussions on alternatives to Ms Office. I would love to try
>using OpenOffice. However when I have read that the version for OSX requires
>"X11". I also read on a website it is advisable not to start trying to use
>X11 unless you know what you are doing.
>Can anyone explain to me why this is all so complicated, and if there eis
>anyway simply to download it and use it. Thanks. Chris. 


May I suggest an alternate route to running OpenOffice?  It is my 
experience that installing the version of OpenOffice for OS X under X11 
is too difficult for most ordinary users.  However, there are actually 
several different versions of OpenOffice.  In addition to the X11 
version, and the embryonic Aqua version, there is a Java version.

NeoOffice/Java uses Java instead of X11. Java is one of the native 
application formats for OS X.  Nothing else needs to be installed to run 
a Java application under OS X.  Most folks find NeoOffice/Java to be more 
stable that the X11 version.

Unlike the X11 version, NeoOffice/Java uses the regular MacOS X fonts 
and printing services.  You can drop a file on the 
NeoOffice/Java dock icon, and the file will open, unlike with the X11 
version.  Unfortunately, like the X11 version, you still can't cut 
and paste anything but text between other MacOS X applications and Open 
Office. 

NeoOffice/Java has quite a few sophistocated features, like Microsoft 
Office. It is free, and you get a word processor, spreadsheet, and a 
presentation program.  You can also import and 
export Microsoft Office format files.

You can find out about NeoOffice/Java, as well as the latest patches, at: 
http://trinity.neooffice.org/

Download:
http://trinity.neooffice.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&c
id=4

Randy B. Singer
Co-Author of: The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th and 6th editions)

How To Deal With Common OS X 10.3 Panther Problems
http://www.macattorney.com/panther.html