[Macworld]

Post your comments for OpenOffice 3.0 released, for Mac here

[jmincey]

I think this version includes new filters for MS-Office 2007 as well.
This is a very welcome development for the Mac platform.
Jeff Mincey

[jpp2]

With OpenOffice 3.0 being on Mac native code, is there a reason to download and install NeoOffice now?

Thanks,

[royr386]

It's OS X native too... nice!

[SteveLV702]

will it open all my works microsoft word documents though?

[royr386]

I was able to open a docx document. It had some pictures and tables too, and they seemed to be the same in both Word and Writer. But, hey, it is free so give it a try, it can't hurt...

[bferriot]

Keep in mind the 3.0 version is for Intel processors only. No PPC 3.0 version available, only 2.4.1

[wheat]

Dear Peter:
Please do a full review that includes a comparison to NeoOffice as well as comments about the pros and cons of giving up Microsoft Office or iWorks.
And, for jpp2, there are two reasons to support NeoOffice, and to make a monetary donation to them. The first is loyalty. They've been providing a native port of OpenOffice for Mac for years and years. The second reason is that NeoOffice has much better integration with Mac OS X features, in addition to a much more Mac-like user interface.
NeoOffice 3 is going beta in November, and it will have all the new features from OpenOffice 3.

[NaOH]

There is a PPC build available hidden away in the OpenOffice.org servers.
For some unmentioned reason, they aren't publishing this fact.
The rc4 version can be found here: ooopackages.good-day.net/pub/OpenOffice.org/MacOSX/3.0.0rc4/
(I suspect the final release hasn't propagated to this mirror yet.)

[xp2mac]

Definitely! NeoOffice 3.0 will release on November 15, 2008. Get it now anyway. It is worth it.

[downunder]

And now you know the reason why Microsoft quickly put back VB into Office 2008.

[dylan214u]

Apple should get behind OpenOffice with ALL it's might after Steve Ballmer's " office 2008 is not a FULL Office program for the Mac" comment he made last week!

[auramac]

Should read "with all its might." No apostrophe needed, "its" is possessive; otherwise, you're (not "your," of course) saying "it is might."
But, yes, I agree. : )

[whitedog]

Microsoft has not put Visual Basic back in Office 2008. They said they would have it ready for the next version of Office, sometime before 2012. But as OpenOffice and NeoOffice are going Mac native now, by the time the next iteration of Office arrives, the need for MS on the Mac may be negligible and the demand hardly more than that. Microsoft made a strategic blunder not developing VB for Office '08. They alienated their hard core Mac users and, as Office replacements mature, regular Mac users will follow their wallets to less expensive alternatives as well.

All along Office for the Mac has been less than whole heartedly supported by Microsoft. This was never more obvious than when they failed to provide the MacBU with the necessary resources to carry VB forward in Office '08. This reticence has enabled the competition to develop viable alternative products. I suspect by 2012 Microsoft's half-baked chickens will be coming home to roost. By then Apple, like their customers, may no longer need Microsoft either.