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openoffice.org package

Official OpenOffice vs. Ubuntu OpenOffice

Asked by nmschaller

Why is there a special Ubuntu version of OpenOffice? Is there any page hinting me on the differences or the advantages of Ubuntu OpenOffice?

I have read that Ubuntu OpenOffice might not be updated as often as the official release - is that true?

Then the number of crash reports on Ubuntu OpenOffice on this project page got my attention - are there really many crashes or is it just that the internet allows collecting these reports all one place that makes them seem occur often?

The better support for proprietary files would be interesting for me. How stable is the new beta already?

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Federico Vera (fedevera) said : 		#1

Hi! the primary reason for an Ubuntu OOo (OpenOffice.org) version is integration, the main things changed are the startup window, themes, colors, default folders, etc.

The number of crashes is not an issue, Ubuntu is used by many people, that inform bugs via Launchpad so there's a big chance they report their bugs this way and not through "official channels" (nonetheless the important and confirmed bugs are reported upstream).

The Ubuntu version of OOo is not updated as often as gets out for stability/maintenance reasons, seeing as there's a new Ubuntu version every 6 months it doesn't make much sense to waste time in it.

The beta version is stable enough (actually is a Release Candidate) to be used, but no so stable to be comfortably installed in a production pc, OOo version 3.2 will (apparently) be available in Ubuntu Lucid Linx (april).

hope it helps!

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Tony Pursell (ajpursell) said : 		#2

I believe Ubuntu uses the Go-OO derivative for may of the reasons given by Frederico. See

http://go-oo.org/

This can have the drawback that Go-OO lags a little behind OO.o when it comes to new versions. I seem to remember that at least one new Ubuntu version did not get the latest OO.o version, released a few days before the new OO.o version deadline, because of this. But generally it is a much better strategy for Ubuntu.

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Tony Pursell (ajpursell) said : 		#3

(Sorry, I made a couple of mistakes in what I wrote. I should proof read before hitting 'Add Answer'. This is the corrected version)

I believe Ubuntu uses the Go-OO derivative for many of the reasons given by Frederico. See

http://go-oo.org/

This can have the drawback that Go-OO lags a little behind OO.o when it comes to new versions. I seem to remember that at least one new Ubuntu version did not get the latest OO.o version, released a few days before the new Ubuntu version deadline, because of this. But generally it is a much better strategy for Ubuntu.

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nmschaller (nmschaller) said : 		#4

Thanks a lot. I have actually considered to take the Go-OO derivate for the features it brings, such as better compatibility with Word and Excel files.

I'm a newbie to Ubuntu: How can I install the beta via Synaptic?

When it comes to learning functions I understand I can basically turn to the official OpenOffice.org tutorials and books?

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Federico Vera (fedevera) said : 		#5

Hi! Yo can install the Go-OO packages for ubuntu installing the package 'openoffice.org'[1] from synaptic. This is a 'dummy' package that installs and appends to you current OOo installation all the Go-OO features.
You can still use OpenOffice tutorials and books, Go-OO es so easy to use, that you won't even notice it's there (which by the way is the idea =P)

Hope it helps!

[1]http://go-oo.org/download/

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nmschaller (nmschaller) said : 		#6

Thank you. I'll try that.