Google has taken yet another stab at Microsoft in hopes of luring users away from Microsoft Office. Now Google is offering StarOffice 8, which normally costs $79, as an optional download in the free Google Pack.
What surprises me the most is that Google chose to use StarOffice over the free OpenOffice. Of course I’m not going to complain because StarOffice is actually based on OpenOffice, but it provides some propriety templates and clipart that give it an edge over OpenOffice. And just like OpenOffice, StarOffice is created to run on both Windows and Linux.
Here’s a list of things included with StarOffice 8 that’s not in OpenOffice (from Wikipedia):
- Several font metric compatible Unicode TrueType fonts containing bitmap representations for better appearance at smaller font sizes
- 12 Western fonts (including Andale Sans, Arial Narrow, Arial Black, Broadway, Garamond, Imprint MT Shadow, Kidprint, Palace Script, Sheffield) and 7 Asian language fonts (including support for the Hong Kong Supplementary character set)
- Adabas D database
- StarOffice-only templates and sample documents
- A large clip art gallery
- Sorting functionality for Asian versions
- File filters for additional older wordprocessing formats (including EBCDIC)
- A different spell checker (note that OpenOffice.org does include a spell checker as well) and thesaurus
- StarOffice Configuration Manager
- Macro Converter for converting Microsoft Office VBA-macros to StarBasic
I did notice after installing Google’s version of StarOffice that they had enabled a Google Search Toolbar by default. I’m not sure what kind of deal they worked out with Sun to provide StarOffice at no cost, but I’m not going to pass up a great deal like this. 
One of the more logical things that comes to mind, however, is that Google will integrate this into Google Docs, and thereby make it easy for users to open and save documents from their online Google account. Of course Zoho has already released a tool last year that enabled integration of their online suite of applications with Microsoft Office, but it is obvious at this point that Google pretty much despises Microsoft.
I’ll go ahead and close it up with a screenshot of StarOffice 8 Calc (comparable to Excel) and StarOffice 8 Writer (comparable to Word):
Google Pack Homepage
StarOffice 8 Homepage & Video Tour
Source: CyberNet Forum, Google Operating System & Googling Google
“What surprises me the most is that Google chose to use StarOffice over the free OpenOffice.”
That a bit surprising to me also when I read the article yesterday, but then I thought about it and I think it has to do with the fact that StarOffice is commercial and OpenOffice isn’t. At least that is what I am thinking.
Well, Java updater prompted me today to update my JRE, and, during the installation process, asked me if I wanted to install the Google Toolbar or Google Desktop. Google provides StarOffice for Sun, Sun provides Toolbar/Desktop for Google.
It’s nice that they’re bundling an Office program – just today I had to explain to someone that getting a laptop bundled with Office wasn’t necessary if they wanted to save money, and Google supporting such a thing should mean good publicity. One thing I’ve always thought would be an improvement in most Office style programs would be a different way of setting program defaults, as one can easily do with a web-app. The process of saving your default styles in both Office and OpenOffice is so ridiculous and hard to move between documents and systems that I always have to look at the Help files, and I’m a damn expert.
Not to ruin the moment but that doesn’t make sense – Google are being given a paid product to distribute for free, and in return Sun are distributing Google’s programs for them. Unless your point was that Sun appears to be Google’s bitch then you’re off the mark.
From the sounds of it though Google is winning on both ends. So I’m guessing they must be paying an arm and a leg. I was even thinking that they might have to pay per user that downloads StarOffice because it is disabled on the Google Pack by default.
I hear all the time that Google despises Microsoft, but I can’t figure out why… what has Microsoft ever done to them?
It’s not like Microsoft has even been able to touch Google in any of the areas that Google competes in.
But Google would not mind touching Microsoft in places where it hurts the most.
I think the “don’t be evil” thing is just Google’s way of trying to look like angels to cover up their evilness
Actually, that’s not true. Microsoft is very heavily trying to dip into Google’s most prominent and profitable area…online advertising. When Google announced the DoubleClick acquisition for $3 or $4 billion, Microsoft turned around and bought an advertising firm for over $6 billion. I would say that is quite a competition.
I see everyone writing on free StarOffice 8 BUT I do not see
or find it on Google’s for downloading.
If you have any Help as to how or where I can get this program
Please let me know.
Thanks
Koolarry
@ Larry:
[google.com]+office&topic=&type=
Basically, if you go to pack.google.com and DON’T see StarOffice listed, go to Add/Remove Programs, uninstall the Google Updater and then visit [pack.google.com] again and follow the directions to download.
use my 2.0.0.6. upgrade of Thunderbird, I had no problems before this.
Can you help me?
Eddy
A great offer but I really don’t like how the Google Updater wants to install services on your system (Win). I’ve blocked reg access for this kind of stuff – hence my choice of Portable OO.
Btw, a most excellent blog / news stream! Power on, my son!
I’m not a big fan of the Google Updater either, but after installation of StarOffice you can block the Google Updater from running. That’s what I’ve done.
1 am +2 student so i want star office 8 please send my link