Microsoft Office 2007 Microsoft Office 2007 WordWord

vsvsOpenOffice 3 WriterOpenOffice 3 Writer

byby Vlatko Lukarov Vlatko Lukarov

Microsoft Word 2007

• Word Word processingprocessing tooltool whichwhich inheritedinherited 26 26 years years of development from Microsoftof development from Microsoft

• Piece of software developed to create, read, Piece of software developed to create, read, write and save information in textual formatwrite and save information in textual format

• First released in 1983First released in 1983• Can be sold as Standalone application, or Can be sold as Standalone application, or

incorporated in Microsoft Office Software incorporated in Microsoft Office Software package. package.

Microsoft Word 2007

• No real competition for many successive No real competition for many successive years, so it pretty much paved the way how a years, so it pretty much paved the way how a text processing tool should look like and the text processing tool should look like and the functionalities provided;functionalities provided;

• Not necessarily the best one, but more like Not necessarily the best one, but more like the most widespread solution;the most widespread solution;

• Pricey (The cheapest “Student Edition” is Pricey (The cheapest “Student Edition” is around 150$)around 150$)

OpenOffice Writer

• Originally developed as proprietary software Originally developed as proprietary software but later on was purchased by Sun but later on was purchased by Sun MicrosystemsMicrosystems

• The code goes public in 2000, with the The code goes public in 2000, with the intention to build open source community intention to build open source community around the software solutionaround the software solution

• Although still has small portion of the market, Although still has small portion of the market, the possibilities for future development are the possibilities for future development are enormousenormous

Microsoft Word 2007

OpenOffice Writer

Word vs. Writer• Input: Input: keyboardkeyboard• Process: Text EditingProcess: Text Editing• Output: *.doc/*.docxOutput: *.doc/*.docx

(default settings)(default settings)• Powerful functionality Powerful functionality

formattingformatting• Multiple file types Multiple file types

supported: *.doc, *.docx, supported: *.doc, *.docx, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.psw, *.pwd, *.htm/l, *.psw, *.pwd, *.htm/l,

• Input: keyboardInput: keyboard• Process: Text EditingProcess: Text Editing• Output: *.odtOutput: *.odt

(default settings)(default settings)• Powerful functionality Powerful functionality

formattingformatting• Even more file types Even more file types

supported: *.doc, *.docx, supported: *.doc, *.docx, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.xml, *.dot, *.rtf, *.txt, *.psw, *.pwd, *.pdf, *.odt, *.psw, *.pwd, *.pdf, *.odt, *.ott*.ott

• Exporting macromedia flash Exporting macromedia flash files, HTML, and supports files, HTML, and supports many other word many other word processorsprocessors

Word vs. Writer

• Writer is much more flexible than WordWriter is much more flexible than Word– Supports both MS file types and many moreSupports both MS file types and many more

• Word has to install manually a plug-in to be Word has to install manually a plug-in to be able to open Writer’s filesable to open Writer’s files

• Differences and similarities in the GUI of both Differences and similarities in the GUI of both text processing solutionstext processing solutions

Word vs. Writer

• Since Word has a long tradition of being the most Since Word has a long tradition of being the most widespread software, it pretty much defined how widespread software, it pretty much defined how a text processing software should look likea text processing software should look like

• However, having this pride in mind, the However, having this pride in mind, the developers launched a new design of the developers launched a new design of the Interface, which is a nice eye candy, but the users Interface, which is a nice eye candy, but the users are lost while looking for a certain functionare lost while looking for a certain function

• Many toolbars, glass buttons, ribbons, many Many toolbars, glass buttons, ribbons, many gadgets to ease the access of usegadgets to ease the access of use

Word vs. Writer

• Writer as younger solution follows more Writer as younger solution follows more classical User Interface, which is present in the classical User Interface, which is present in the Word 2003 edition. Word 2003 edition.

• Simple look and design, without many Simple look and design, without many toolbars displaying, gives natural and neat toolbars displaying, gives natural and neat text processor, without overburdening the text processor, without overburdening the workspaceworkspace

Word vs. Writer

• One of the very strong advantages of Writer is One of the very strong advantages of Writer is its portabilityits portability

• It can be run on a vast selection of platforms:It can be run on a vast selection of platforms:– Windows, any Linux Distribution, MacOS, Solaris Windows, any Linux Distribution, MacOS, Solaris

(of course)(of course)

• Word is available only for Windows and Word is available only for Windows and MacOSMacOS

Word vs. Writer

• Another positive side is the small usage of Another positive side is the small usage of resources by the Writer, since the structure of resources by the Writer, since the structure of the solution is just another instance of the the solution is just another instance of the base OpenOffice package, while Word has to base OpenOffice package, while Word has to be loaded as a separate program. be loaded as a separate program.

• Small installation, and quick load time of both Small installation, and quick load time of both solutions solutions

Word vs. Writer

• Word has enormous experience, better Word has enormous experience, better customer service (after all it is for money)customer service (after all it is for money)

• Writer tends to freeze from time to time, but Writer tends to freeze from time to time, but it has excellent recovery utility, so literally a it has excellent recovery utility, so literally a single character is not lost, while Word has single character is not lost, while Word has partial recovery of unsaved filespartial recovery of unsaved files

Word vs. Writer

• No winner in this comparisonNo winner in this comparison• Both solutions so far serve do the job, Word as Both solutions so far serve do the job, Word as

an older brother paves the way of how text an older brother paves the way of how text processing tools should developprocessing tools should develop

• Writer is great for those who cannot afford to Writer is great for those who cannot afford to buy Word, for the enthusiasts to try out buy Word, for the enthusiasts to try out something different than Microsoft Solutionssomething different than Microsoft Solutions

• Excellent for future developers to train their skills Excellent for future developers to train their skills while editing the code and the functionality of while editing the code and the functionality of the softwarethe software

Thank youThank you