OpenOffice 3.0 on Ubuntu - can do?

You can install the Deb package alongside the 2.4 version to see what you think of it. Have a look at this howto

http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/10/14/install-openofficeorg-30-in-ubuntu-804-and-810/

or you could install it using the PPA archives. This will update 2.4 to version 3.0 using ubuntu debs

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=6420851&postcount=6

As for why it wasn't in Intrepid in the first place. It was a decision based on stability issues at the time.

You could probably use the debian packages for OpenOffice.org 3.0 without problem - if you do experience problems then you can always remove it.
I'd certainly recommend removing the Ubuntu package first.
When a distribution such as Ubuntu is being prepared there are a huge number of dependencies to consider. This means that package versions to be included in a specific distribution will be frozen months before the distribution is released and means that the distributions will carry software somewhat behind the versions which may be available from the individual project sites.
OpenOffice.org only have to worry about their own package, Debian/Ubuntu have to worry about thousands.

Grant Galbraith wrote:
> Your question #56110 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/56110
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Grant Galbraith proposed the following answer:
> You can install the Deb package alongside the 2.4 version to see what
> you think of it. Have a look at this howto
>
> http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/10/14/install-openofficeorg-30-in-
> ubuntu-804-and-810/
>
>
> or you could install it using the PPA archives. This will update 2.4 to version 3.0 using ubuntu debs
>
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=6420851&postcount=6
>
>
> As for why it wasn't in Intrepid in the first place. It was a decision
> based on stability issues at the time.
>
Wow! Am I ever impressed with the rapidity and relevance of your
answer. Is it always like this?

Thanks much,
Bob B. (Ancient main-frame programmer, worked with the PC since it
first came out, relatively new to Linux but enjoying it compared to
you-know-who, still coping at age 73.)

You could use this package archive:
https://launchpad.net/~openoffice-pkgs/+archive

You have to add in in the Third-party software at System > Administration > Software Sources.
It doesn't mean necessarily that it will work on Ubuntu, but it will definitely contain updates that will help out :)

I think it's safe to say that the launchpad PPA repos work with Ubuntu. That's what they are created for.