Hi, I've only recently heard of your OpenOffice suite - received on a sample CD from a series about 'Your PC at Home' (UK) and I was interested to view and evaluate it to compare with the currently installed MS Office suite (which if I recall correctly is a 1997 version).
Before installing however, I would like clarification about any possible issues that may arise from installing your 'OpenOffice 1.1' on the same pc, and if both OpenOffice & MS Office (Word & Excel etc) can be used side-by-side without any problems.
"Without any problems" means different things to different people. Yes, the programs can and do co-exist on numerous platforms with a variety of operating systems including all versions of Microsoft's Windows.
Before you begin installation, you must decide which Office Suite you want to be primary to open text, spreadsheet, and presentation files. That is, when you click on the filename in windows explorer or other file manager, which application shall be used. One of the early screens in the installation for OOo asks you to indicate exactly this decision.
If you fill in the check boxes, then OOo will be primary. It won't have "eaten your files" and other colorful descriptions that appear on this list from time to time, but neither will MSO be launched automatically to open the file in this manner. It really isn't too important as long as you realize that a .doc file can be opened with equal facility from within either MSWord or Writer. Likewise the other file types. It's just the designation of the default application that alarms people because they aren't thinking about what they are doing.
Would either of the programs be 'affected' in any way if I upgrade MS office to a later version?
Well, MSO will take on whatever new features the upgrade would provide, but I doubt that's what you mean. As for what effects MSO will have on other applications, you'll have to ask Redmond. I don't suggest holding your breath while awaiting an answer. I can safely say that if you embrace OOo as a solution rather than a new set of problems, you will be excited by how easily you can do what you want. You may also have to get special shoes to enable you to walk with all the extra weight that will be in your wallet.
Also, if I later decided to remove OpenOffice whether any 'common files' would be affected.
As you appear to clinging to Microsoft's apron like a frightened toddler, I expect the different operations to perform similar tasks will be a big turnoff for you. That's unfortunate because I found many of these "new" operations to be preferable after a very short adaptation period. For example, I was never able to get Master Documents to work to my satisfaction in Word97 after several years of trying. After a couple of stumbles while changing gears to OOo, I am happy to report that Master Documents are now a thing of joy.
I hope you can understand my concerns and explain any issues in not-too-technical terms (I am quite happy working with pc's and probably understand more about them than I realise but lack confidence at times when reading technical stuff!).
The secret to happiness is to know what you want to do then acquire the tools to do it. Using the Home Depot approach to tool buying ( "Gosh, that is a really neat tool. I wonder if I buy it I can build that house I've been dreaming of.") will empty your bank account and fill your garage, but little else. One big difference here: It costs nothing, zero, zip, zilch, nada to try out a decidedly competitive product which is on the fast track to becoming a champion.
What? Me? Biased? Only against throwing away money for bug infested, poorly supported programs that open gaping security holes in my computer. I also object to being expected to pay for "upgrades" which are really little more than fixes for all those bugs.
Many thanks in anticipation of a helpful reply.
Don't know if I've been helpful, but I do hope I've opened you up to the idea of taking a step that offers the potential for much reward and little penalty.
M
Doug
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