StarOffice 9 final release

After brief period of beta testing, Sun says it has released the final version of StarOffice 9, its work suite aimed directly at competing with Microsoft Office. Unlike the Microsoft software, StarOffice is open-source, being based on OpenOffice 3.0; StarOffice 9 is also the first version of Sun's program to be coded natively for the Mac, and allows users to read Microsoft's Open XML format, though not save in it.

Sun states that while there are currently no plans to add Open XML writes, the feature may be added with enough public pressure. The software meanwhile features database, spreadsheet, illustration, presentation and word processing components, with support for PDF import and export, as well as extensions and specific enterprise tools such as digital signatures. The suite costs $35 for the general public, or $25 for each individual business user.

by MacNN Staff