OpenOffice.org Logo

OpenOffice.org is an Open Source and FREE software suite that is designed as an alternative to Microsoft Office.  It has components that are able to read Excel, Word, Powerpoint and more.  It is very easy to install, easy to use and is very reliable.

The sub-programs that are included are: Writer (Word Processor), Calc (Spreadsheets), Impress (Presentations), Draw (Drawing), Base (Databases). All of which have the ability to use their own open formats, or you can create, edit and save documents in many other formats, such as Microsoft Office and many other common formats.

Another exciting feature of OpenOffice.org is that it has the built-in option to export your document to a PDF, or Adobe Acrobat file.  This is a great way to share a document with anyone and have the peace of mind that it won’t be changed in any way.

There is an installable version of the software (main version) and a portable version has also been created. The portable version allows you to run the software without being installed.  This can be beneficial if you want to save a little space on your SSD and run the program off a flash drive, or your built in memory card slot.

The full install version of the application can be downloaded from: http://download.openoffice.org/.

The portable version (for memory card or flash drive install) is available at: http://portableapps.com/apps/office/openoffice_portable.

To put it in the most simple form Cloud Computing is just using applications that are more internet driven.  A great example of this is Google Docs compared to Microsoft Office. Traditional programs (like MS Office) run locally.  You load the program and create a document that is saved on your local computer.  What “Cloud” applications are doing for the world are allowing you to have the file saved online, instead of (or in addition to) locally.

There are a TON of free applications and services out there that I plan on highlighting – ones that are designed for netbooks, or that I have tested as compatible with netbooks.  I plan on highlighting Cloud services alongside desktop applications.   Look for the compatibility rating, on a scale of 1 through 10.