TOG Solutions

After months of working on the bugs and issues from versions 3.0 and 3.1, OpenOffice.org is almost ready to release version 3.2 to the public. If you are brave enough, feel free to go ahead and download the beta version right now, though, even as OOo says, they can’t guarantee stability.

For the rest of us, the stable version of 3.2 will be upon us in December. Starting now and until the release, our OpenOffice Wednesdays will break down the changes that you may find useful for each component of the suite.

Here’s how we’ve got it schedule so far:

• Part One: Writer
• Part Two: Calc
• Part Three: Impress/Draw
• Part Four: Base
• Part Five: Math

Depending upon the exact release date, some of these may be subject to change. Also, there are plenty of other features and enhancements that we will mention along the way. If we have time, we may even be able to dedicate and entire Wednesday to some of the new global changes.

But, for now, here are a couple that will be available on the new version of OpenOffice.org:

1. Password-protected Microsoft Office XML Files
   Though OOo 3.0 featured the addition of the ability to read MS Office 2007 files, the issue arose that any files that were password-protected were not part of that feature. Version 3.2 goes ahead and fixes that problem so now all Office 2007 files can be used in OpenOffice.
2. New ODF Version
   Like many other productivity suites, OpenOffice has been evolving its OpenDocument Format (ODF) since its inception nine years ago. With Version 3.2, OOo will introduce to users to ODF 1.2, bringing with it some additional features that include digital signature support, RDF-based metadata and additional accessibility features.

Next week: Countdown to OpenOffice 3.2 continues with new Writer features and enhancements.