Text Size

Native Mac OpenOffice version coming

updated 12:15 pm EDT, Tue August 29, 2006

Native Mac OpenOffice

Mac users will soon see a working native Mac OS X version of the free multiplatform and multilingual office suite, OpenOffice. Since its original introduction on the Mac platform, the open-source OpenOffice project has been using the traditional X11 windowing system for compatibility with Mac OS X. Apple's own X11 implementation of the window system provides a standard toolkit and protocol for graphical user interfaces (GUI) for non-native Mac applications to run on Mac OS X. Though this has worked well functionally, some users have considered the appearance to be disappointing. Recently, OpenOffice announced that the new "Aqua"-based Mac native version (that does not use X11) is progressing well. The lead develper Eric B., has announced plans to demonstrate a working beta at Apple Expo in Paris, which takes place from September 12-16th. The current progress of the development can be followed via Eric B's blog or the project wiki. The current timeline released by OpenOffice.org, however, does not show the expected launch date of the Mac native version. Included is a screen shot of a recent native Mac build.

 
Previous Comments

another one?

08/29, 12:40pm reply

evertime you turn around these days we got a new word processor.

gooser

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2006

0

Neo Office?

08/29, 12:40pm reply

What about Neo Office? They have an OSX native version of OpenOffice.org which is quite nice. I have been using it for a while now:

http://www.planamesa.com/neojava/en/index.php

ValkRaider

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

Ah and it still looks....

08/29, 01:10pm reply

...like A$$

shawnce

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2000

0

worse...

08/29, 01:13pm reply

...it still looks like a slightly broken office 2005 app.

adrian_milliner

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2005

0

Broken...?

08/29, 01:24pm reply

...I suppose there are some who wish to spend hundreds for what seems similar or perhaps extended functionality, but I have found NeoOffice to work wonderfully for my needs...

bobolicious

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2002

0

NeoOffice is already...

08/29, 01:26pm reply

..working, dl'ed it some days ago, and it seems to be running great. And it's running on Intel also..

Marook

Forum Regular

Joined: May 1999

0

neo office

08/29, 01:28pm reply

Neo office is fine, and I use it occasionally. However, it requires Java, and thus is slower to boot.

This is good news. A free alternative to MS Office is great, especially considering it has a growing mindshare and acceptance.

gudin

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2000

0

Sweet!

08/29, 02:04pm reply

We need all the Office alternatives we can get! The only problem with MS Office is it's made by Microsoft. Pretty good product (especially Excel), but I'd rather not give that two-bit company any of my money.

madgunde

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2002

0

NeoOffice != Java

08/29, 02:11pm reply

On my Intel MacBook Pro I have MS Office in Rosetta, OpenOffice.org in X11, and NeoOffice. They all take forever to open.

NeoOffice opens and runs faster than MSOffice in Rosetta.

ValkRaider

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

Sweet!

08/29, 02:13pm reply

We need all the Office alternatives we can get! The only problem with MS Office is it's made by Microsoft. Pretty good product (especially Excel), but I'd rather not give them any of my money.

madgunde

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2002

0

Popular News