OpenOffice 3.0 - the only option for masochistic Linux users • Channel Register

OpenOffice 3.0 - the only option for masochistic Linux users

And linear optimizing Mactards

By Ted Dziuba • Get more from this author

Posted in Software & Security, 4th November 2008 12:02 GMT

Free whitepaper – Managing desktop software for fun and profit

How Much is .6 Better Than Version 2.4?

One of the gripes about OpenOffice is that it doesn't feel as crisp as Microsoft Office. The interface and the icons were likely designed by somebody who writes code for a living, not somebody who designs interfaces and icons for a living. 3.0 is a step in the right direction here, with much more inviting icons. For example, the slide type menu in Impress 2.4:

OpenOffice Impress icons (version 2.4)

vs. 3.0:

OpenOffice Impress icons (version 3.0)

Though the UI isn't yet perfect, you'll find small improvements like this littered about OpenOffice 3.0. However, there was one area that will cause a bit of confusion if you're used to the way things ought to be. Version 3.0's Save menu makes file system navigation tedious:

OpenOffice Save menu (with commentary)

I'm glad that OpenOffice decided to dump GNOME's default save-as menu for their own harder-to-use menu. I was getting bored of being able to intuitively save files wherever I wanted.

Next page: The Calc spreadsheet charts still kind of look like ass