I use OpenOffice.org for both my spreadsheets (Calc) and my writing (Writer). I have played some with the other parts (Impress, Database and Draw) but haven’t done much with them yet.
Bruce Byfield has done an article on comparing OpenOffice.org Writer (OO.o) to Microsoft Word 2003 (MSWord).
At the end of each category, I give my verdict about which program has the best combination of features and usability. While hardly surprising, the results offer a concrete example of how open source tools are not only equalling but starting to surpass proprietary ones.
Categories he uses to compare:
- Styles
- Templates
- Outlining
- Bulleted and numbered lists
- Tables
- Headers and footers
- Indexes and tables of content
- Cross-references
- Conditional text
- Master documents
- Drawing tools
- Unique features
Another article, appearing on the Softpedia site, compares the two but geared more for office use.
Personally, I prefer OO.o to MSWord any time. I find OO.o to make more sense, for one. Like, turning things on and off with a single click. The customizing of toolbars, in my opinion, is much easier than in MSWord.
I’ve used MSWord for several years. Prior to that, I used WordPerfect but it seemed that most folks where leaning away from that program in favor of MSWord. When we got our desktop a few years ago, it came with MSOffice.
As for the other parts of OO.o, I find the spreadsheet to be much easier to use. The toolbars are similar to Writer, making switching between the two a breeze. I used Excel and Lotus in the past, as well as the spreadsheet in MS Works. I prefer Calc.
As a writer, I want my writing to go smooth. I don’t want to get frustrated with formatting errors within the document. I want my word processor to do what I tell it to with little to no fuss. And if I need help, I don’t want to sift through the help menu. I want to find it, learn it, get on with it.