Office Software News
(Open Office, Microsoft, Star Office, etc.)

OpenOffice 1.0, a freeware application released two years ago as an alternative to Microsoft Office, sounds like a software dream on the surface. It offers free office productivity tools that can operate on a multitude of platforms, compatibility with a range of file formats, and the ability to alter the program as developers worldwide -or on-site -release new code. No license hassles, no forced upgrades.

In sharp contrast, Microsoft`s (Nasdaq: MSFT) new licensing structure has won it few fans. Although the August deadline has passed for companies to sign up with the licensing program - which basically leases software to companies for a monthly fee and promises ongoing security updates and upgrades - the desire for alternatives persists, according to analysts. (more)