Sun posts StarOffice 9 beta for Mac
updated 12:25 pm EDT, Mon August 4, 2008
StarOffice 9 beta released
Sun Microsystems has released a beta version of StarOffice 9, the first edition of its office suite to natively support the Mac. StarOffice includes presentation, spreadsheet and word processing software, as well as programs for drawing, databases and HTML editing. The v9 upgrade includes better Microsoft Office filters, support for OOXML files, and a new PDF import option with improved export options to match.
Sun has further included a calendar extension for Thunderbird called Lightning, and a number of other new components, including blog and wiki tools, a presentation console for Impress, and a report builder for databases.
The Mac version of StarOffice runs on Mac OS X 10.4 or later, and requires 500MB of hard drive space along with a 1024x768 display. The download is free, but the beta is currently set to expire on August 17th. The final version of v9 is due to be available in the fall.
13 Days?!
08/04, 02:02pm reply
Why even bother offering a beta of a productivity suite that is going to expire in 13 days? By the time some people hear about it there will only be a few days left.
On a side note, why have the devs working on StarOffice & OpenOffice been dragging their feet for years on a well made OS X native version? Thousands of us hate MS Office, but it seems no one is willing to take them on with something better.
Apple Master 007
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
Yup
08/04, 02:07pm reply
A 13 day trial period makes little sense.
The devs can drag their feet all they want since they ask nothing in return.
cgc
Mac Elite
Joined: Mar 2003
NeoOffice
08/04, 02:16pm reply
NeoOffice is a reasonably polished and fully native version of Open Office. Bringing various benefits such as native font handling etc.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Not dragging, really
08/04, 03:34pm reply
Aside from the aforementioned NeoOffice (which is quite actively developed), the native version of OpenOffice itself is coming along nicely. Both are free, unlike StarOffice.
blacksmith_tb
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2008
Re: dragging
08/04, 03:44pm reply
On a side note, why have the devs working on StarOffice & OpenOffice been dragging their feet for years on a well made OS X native version? Thousands of us hate MS Office, but it seems no one is willing to take them on with something better.
Well, it's open source, so why don't you get at it then.
I always love the people complaining about how long it takes for people to build free software, most of which are probably working on their own time.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
30 Day beta
08/04, 03:56pm reply
The beta period is from July 17 to August 17 so that is 30 days. Macnn is just slow to print the beta news.
wingdo
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
open office
08/04, 11:06pm reply
Open office is much better than neooffice. It just doesn't seem to be as slow and painful to use (although it would be nice if one of these groups could actually decide "Hey, let's make a good UI that people can use" rather than "Hey, let's make a UI just like Office's UI, so people will feel 'comfortable'").
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Open office
08/05, 01:23pm reply
Even the X11 version of OpenOffice spanks NeoOffice in terms of usability. There's now a native Aqua version and it seems quite usable (I've been using the X11 version for a year or so with no problems).
If you want a more than basic office suite then OpenOffice is a bargain (free!) and a genuine alternative to MS.
Clive
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001