Comments on: The Real Threat to Microsoft Office: Maybe Not Web Apps

By: James

James — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:46:39 +0000

I’ve downloaded every version of OpenOffice, usually five to ten times, and will continue to do so, but I never use it for real work. That goes to MS Office.

I keep track of OpenOffice in hopes that it will one day be good enough to replace Ms Office, but so far it just isn’t good enough.

Three million downloads sounds good, but I doubt if more than a quarter of those who download OpenOffice actually use it to replace MS Office.

By: markfiend

markfiend — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:16:43 +0000

What home user has the money to upgrade from the software their computer came with? Office Home and Student 2007 for a hundred quid versus OpenOffice for free? It’s a no-brainer.

And I rather think that open source software is a safer bet than “warez” sites.

By: Hierophant

Hierophant — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:05:49 +0000

Downloads are improper indicators of market acceptance. How many of those downloads result in active usage of the software? How many are abandoned. It is less likely that someone who pays money for a product is going to abandon it immediately which makes software purchases a better indicator of marketshare.

A case in point, I am one of the 3 million people who downloaded the software. However I continue to use Microsoft Office 2007 simply because the new version of OpenOffice.org simply does not compete. Most office workers have no need for a Database Application. This is why Microsoft Access was removed from many Office configurations. However they do have need of an application like OneNote, which was added to different configurations. They also have need for an application that integrates email, calendars, and todo lists ala Outlook or Evolution.

Even though OpenOffice.org has made strides it still feels behind just opening the applications and using them. It makes me feel like I am still using Office 2000 in all honesty. I realize Sun has different ideas on User Interfaces but you would think those ideas would improve over the last decade following the trends displayed in MacOS, Vista and even Linux distributions.

If OpenOffice.org is meant to be an Office killer than it needs to be distributed differently. I should be able to create an account on the site and pick the applications I want for download. Where are the counterpoints to Onenote, Vizio, Outlook, Accounting, and Publisher? All things that have more bearing on using Office Applications in an actual office. I could build these using the spreadsheet and database applications. I could find other applications that provide the same capabilities or I can spend money on Microsoft Office and get everything in one package without a lot of hassle and get support included. When you add in the costs of commercial support, Microsoft Office still comes out less expensive.

Like I said, its great that they are improving. However they have a long way to go still before providing the tools that a small business needs to do business from a single office suite.

By: Spheroid

Spheroid — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:42:40 +0000

I personally tell all my friends when they’re looking to buy a computer to not buy MS Office and download OO. I’m looking to buy a computer now and will do the same myself. It gets the job done. I hate the ribbons in MS Office as well. MS likes to make things more difficult over time, instead of easier.

By: pembo13

pembo13 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:44:06 +0000

Linux users really download OpenOffice from the website. Hence the 80% Windows users and low numbers. Most Linux users get OO.org from software repos.

By: Josh Catone

Josh Catone — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:39:47 +0000

@Johnathan: Because most mainstream users associate open source alternatives with Linux and alternative operating systems. That the largest percentage of users of OpenOffice.org use Windows indicates (to me at least) that they’ve done a good job to change that perception and have perhaps targeted mainstream users quite well.

I could be wrong, but that’s how I read it.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:15:45 +0000

How would it be worrisome that windows users account for 80% of downloads when windows marketshare is 90%+? That just means that windows users are downloading it at a lower rate than those using other operating systems…

By: mangiaphoto

mangiaphoto — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:58:48 +0000

OO is good. I’m using it but MS is an institution and OO will never reach 40% of marketplace…

By: artemesia

artemesia — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:32:29 +0000

I used to teach MS Office in law firms where they really use esp. the word processing in depth. When MSOffice 2007 came out I installed it on my laptop. I HATE the ribbons! I know what the program’s capabilities are but what a pain in the neck to have to constantly look in Help just to find where they’ve hidden everything! When I bought a new desktop computer last year I installed Open Office and haven’t looked back. Granted, I’m no longer formatting pleadings and heavily numbered contracts but for my personal use OO is great! I made a 15-year career out of MS’s lame programming and I choose not to subject myself to it any longer, especially since there is a free alternative that is certainly as good, or better, for moderate use.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:51:15 +0000

The high number of OO downloads can just as easily be attributed to the practice of bundling Open Office with Java updates. If a Java user does not uncheck a box during the update process, OO is included in the installation. I think the increase in numbers has to be taken with a grain of salt. Even this article contributes to the marketing effort behind Open Office.