OpenOffice vs MS Word vs Google docs: Publishing and Collaboration
The choice of word processor should be based upon document editing, document
handling and collaboration tools. However we also add the cost of ownership and
workflow into the equation in our setting. In the arena of Word processing there are
choices, as OSS applications now have paralleled functionality at a fraction of the cost of
proprietary tools. This session looks at some of the pros and cons.
Open Office (2000) (OOo Writer)
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too much of an MS Word clone
based on the Suns StarOffice program
if use Word easy to navigate Writers interface
Writers interface is tidier
Exchanges files with MS Word easily (OOo Writer imports and exports to Rich
Text Format and MS Word 6.0, 95 and 97/2000/XP formats) OOo to Word better
than Word to OOo.
Appears to have more features
Differences in OOo Writer (compared to MS Word) include:
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Templates tools are in the File menu.
Tables are in the Insert menu, instead of being a main menu item.
Unlike MS Word's label feature, it's a true wizard, with instructions. For some
reason, though, envelopes are under Insert and don't rate a wizard.
Outline and summary tools are under the File menu
Collaboration tools are in the Edit menu.
Improvements in OOo vs Word
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An Index and Table tool that allows customization
Sections whose columns, background, and positioning of footnotes and endnotes
can be set.
Footnote and endnote settings for numbering styles, sequences, positions,
paragraph and character styles, and continuation notices.
The Navigator, a floating palette for moving around a document, not only by
page, but by any object from tables to OLE objects and Notes.
True text frames
Header and footer tool
No corruption of automatic numbering sequences (bulleted lists etc)
Better handling of styles, wider application
Templates – better handling and formatting of templates
Conditional text (not a word feature)
Master documents (collection of a large document form smaller files)
Better Word Art feature (Fontwork)
Collaboration Tools
 No significant collaboration or shared workspace
MS Word
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Is more stable
Handles most common chores well
Is most easily distributable format ( widest business application)
Handles macros very well
Better built in use of Tables and Outlines
Tracking features on review toolbar
Collaboration
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features are now added through MS Office Live
need to utilize tracking features and send and compare versions.. multiple copies,
more work.
Google docs
Google docs can be used offline as well.. and is likely lead the way for other mashups
like the ability to work with Flickr.
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Can keep documents online in a single location
Has enough core features to do 90% of text production – no bloat
Easy to create new doc, save and store online or locally
Easily choose format; Word, rtf, OOo Writer, or PDF
Great revisions tab—can go back to previous versions
Great use of tags, RSS feeds on your documents
Can edit text, tables and images
Collaboration
 and sharing features
 Accessible from multiple access points… no need to carry the laptop
 Multiple authors at the same time
 Easy to share document as collaborator or viewer.
 Easy post to other online blogs or sites
 Add comments directly to source document
The Bandwidth crisis
There is a looming bandwidth crisis in America and one in Quebec as well.
The growth in machines and the blending of applications are driving dramatic growth in
Internet bandwidth that most schools have not seen. The bandwidth required in two years
from now will be considerably different than forecasted for every school board and
private school.
On average per student requires 2.90 kbits per second per student of external bandwidth.
Schools project they will need 9.57 kbits per second per student by 2011 – a three fold
increase (ADS 2006).
With the continued increase is tools and applications being web-driven, it is estimated
that up to 40 kbits per second per student is required in 2011. That is 14 fold increase in
student bandwidth and four-fold increase where planning expects to be.
This does not take into account any other WiFI devices, such as cameras or the amount of
web-based software per school or board, or usage requirements per user.
When boards look at TCO the purchase of OpenOffice may receive greater support since
existing software budget funds for MS Office can be used to address bandwidth issues
instead!
Open Source vs Proprietary Tools
Not surprisingly OSS tools are starting to outperform proprietary tools. AbiWord
(www.abisource.com/) and OOo or StarOffice add to the credibility of OSS programs
with very similar features. Even FREE programs add a cost to overall tasks if they do not
meet the demands of workflow processes and thus time is required to make the process
work. This is not the case with current word processing apps such as OOo Writer.
Issues on the rise
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Importing/ Exporting between OpenOffice and Google docs – need extensions
Importing/Exporting form MS Word 07 (or higher) to OOo Writer (Word is
replacing the original .doc format to .docx format)
Importing/Exporting form MS Word 07 (or higher) to previous versions of MS
Word (Word is replacing the original .doc format to .docx format). You will need
need to add the File Compatibility Pack from Microsoft
(http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100444731033.aspx) in order to read
the new .docm or docx format (called Microsoft Office Open XML standard).
There is pressure on Microsoft to ensure the OOXML standard to be compatible
with the ODF standard which OpenOffice uses so that in future schools can use
OSS software like OOoWriter instead of MS Office Products. (May23)
ZamZar does not handle the .docm format
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On May 22, 2008 Microsoft pledged to convert is popular tools to the OSS format
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=53888;_hbguid=9d45937b-e1de4219-ae52-6d44cb91506a
References:
http://www.linux.com/feature/118986
http://www.taming-openoffice-org.com/newsite/?page_id=23
http://inpics.net/writer.html
http://www.tutorialsforopenoffice.org/tutorial/Microsoft_Word_Files.html
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/80012/openoffice-2.html
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2013991,00.asp
http://www.google.com/google-d-s/whatsnew.html
http://www.open-of-course.org/courses/mod/resource/view.php?id=375
Other choices:
AbiWord
Zoho Office
LiveDocument
InetWord
ThinkFree Office