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4.1. Introducing the OpenOffice.org Suite
OpenOffice.org is the default office application suite provided with Ubuntu. This is a free, open source office software suite that comprises all the features normally expected in an office suite. It is not just a collection of separate software programmes; it has been designed as a complete office package, in which all applications have a similar look and feel and common tools.
The OpenOffice.org suite is available in more than 30 languages and can run on many operating systems, in- cluding Linux, Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Mac OS X. It is also compatible with all other major office suites, including Microsoft Office, which makes it easy for you to create, open, save and exchange documents with friends and colleagues in Microsoft Office formats.
Another key feature of the OpenOffice.org suite is that all the applications save in the OpenDocument format, which is the new international standard for office documents. This Extensible Markup Language (XML) based format enables you to access your data from any OpenDocument-compliant software.
For more information on the history and development of OpenOffice.org, please visit http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Openoffice.org.
The OpenOffice.org software suite includes the following applications to help you handle your work effectively:
• OpenOffice.org Writer
• OpenOffice.org Calc
• OpenOffice.org Impress
• OpenOffice.org Base
• OpenOffice.org Draw
• OpenOffice.org Math
To access the OpenOffice.org suite:
• On the Applications menu, point to Office and then click the OpenOffice.org application you want.
Figure 4.1. Accessing OpenOffice.org