Occasionally, I get rather irate tweets from the OpenOfficeGuy Twitter account about the overall usability (or lack thereof) of OpenOffice.org. Three weeks ago, I was sent a tweet opining about one user’s issue with using OOo for Macintosh and how their version froze and other problems.
This user is, undoubtedly, not alone. However, with the recent release of Version 3.1.1, perhaps clearing up some of those bugs. There is, of course, one other question to be asked:
If you have a Mac, what version are yourunning? The answer, in the end, may clear up some confusion as to their OOo installation.
First, and most importantly, if you own a Mac and are looking to use OpenOffice as you productivity suite, it’s important that you visit the OpenOffice for Mac OS page. At the moment, OOo is available for older versions of Mac OS (X11) and new versions (Aqua). Please note that the X11 edition is suited primarily for Macs running Mac OS 10.3 or earlier.
For the rest of Mac Users, when visiting the Aqua page, it is equally critical that you choose the right format. Most of you will be selecting the Intel edition, as Apple made the switch in 2006 from their PowerPC format. Obviously, those who still own the PowerPC Mac will opt for that version of Aqua.
Nonetheless, OpenOffice Aqua must be the version you are running on your Mac. Downloading and installing the OOo version directly from the main site is the Windows edition, and will likely be unusable to you.
Oh, and I must remind you that TOG Solutions, while a supporter of OpenOffice.org, to which we provide training, and other open-source software, is in no way, shape or form affiliated with the OpenOffice Project.
