Etc...

OpenOffice.org

Open source is a broad term for software licensing that allows a computer program to be distributed and used for no charge. 

OpenOffice.org is probably the most well-known open-source program.  Designed as an alternative to Microsoft Office, it is a multi-platform office productivity suite that is compatible with many systems, including the latest Microsoft and Mac operating systems, Linux, and Solaris.

Programs available from OpenOffice.org include Writer (a word processing program), Calc (a spreadsheet program similar to Excel) and Impress, and a presentation program (similar to PowerPoint). While these programs offer the benefits of Microsoft-like programs for no cost, perhaps the biggest plus is that this program can open Microsoft files and can be opened by Microsoft programs. This allows people to use OpenOffice.org and not be shut out of a business world dominated by Microsoft Office.

OpenOffice.org is derived from StarOffice, an office suite developed by Sun Microsystems, and is commonly referred to as OpenOffice. This program was released under an open-source license in October 2000 and does not allow users to alter the program’s code. Since then, releases have alternated between “feature” releases and “bug fix” releases. The next, version 3.2, will be a feature release and is scheduled for November 2009. It will include, among new features, a major overhaul of Impress.

To learn more about OpenOffice.org and to download the program, go to www.Openoffice.org.