OpenOffice.org is pushing for a new reason to make the switch from Microsoft Office…so that you can “Get Legal”! The article talks about a lot of statistics that I found to be very interesting:
- According to Microsoft 35% of the software in the world is thought to be counterfeit or otherwise illegal.
- 86% of users would prefer to try OpenOffice.org 2 rather than buy MS-Office 2007.
- Studies have shown it is ten times cheaper to move to OpenOffice.org 2 than it is to upgrade to MS-Office 2007.
I think that the statistics are good information, however, I do not agree with them using Microsoft Office 2007 as a comparison. They are comparing themselves to a product that has not even been released to the public. Many people don’t even know what to expect from MS-Office 2007 because they have had no hands-on experiences with it. I find it to be very intuitive and easy to find the tools that you are looking for which was Microsoft’s goal in redesigning the user interface.
The campaign that OpenOffice.org has started is very clever because they are actually fighting Microsoft’s fight. Why? Microsoft has been continuously implementing new anti-piracy technology into its products in hopes to stop people from using their software illegally. Now OpenOffice.org is trying to attract those people that are using illegal software! I like their thinking.
OpenOffice.org “Get Legal” Campaign
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Tags: Software
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I used to use Office illegally. Then I found Open Office and never needed to spend money or do illegal stuff again. I also like their thinking.
Open Office is really great and I am sure that Microsoft wouldn’t be doing their redesign if it wasn’t for Open Office catching up and giving them a push.
-Ryan
OOs it’s awesome, i also started to use it because i used to use office illegaly, so Jah lightned my path and show how cheap, fun and functional freesoftware can be.
OOs is a product with very high construction/development quality.
You know I did the same thing as you till I found out about OpenOffice. I use it on my Windows XP desktop and on my Ubuntu notebook and it works great. Also the compatibility with Microsoft Office is very good especially when I need to turn in an assignment via soft copy.
I have never used Microsoft Office illegally. I have been an Office user for years, and now that it has the ribbon, I think I will be an Office user for years to come. Not that OpenOffice.org isn’t good, though. I’ve actually converted a few people from illegal use of Office to OOo. I really don’t think there would be as much pirating of Office if more people knew about OOo. I mean, if they’re pirating, they probably don’t need the advanced functions of Office, anyway, and who chooses to steal when there are better alternatives?
I’ll definitely be a Microsoft Office user for a little while to come as well, all because of the redesigned interface. I think Microsoft put enough time and effort into redesigning the Office Suite so that it puts OpenOffice a little behind. The first response that I always hear when I tell people how nice the new interface is for Microsoft Office is that it can’t make a big difference. Then once they start using it they absolutely love it.