Open Office business suite of productivity software has been updated from version 2.0 to 2.0.1 just eight weeks into the run. The minor update is primarily to fix a few things and add some nice improvements. It now allows an IT manager to control whether users have access to all componants by permitting custom modifications to the configuration menu, and allows you to either resume in a document at the cursor position where you left off (great for authors and the default) or at the start of the document (great for readers). Most significant of all, it now has a new mail merge feature!
They have added better support for bullets when opening Microsoft product’s files, added improved drag and drop OLE behavior in the Impress/Draw componants, and now allow you to configure your default font size.
As you know I am likely going to review Prentice Halls book, Point and Click for Open Office right here in a few days. I like it a lot thus far. When I review a book, I actually read it. I am about 2/3rds of the way through it … and I don’t know how carefully I will read the two chapters on Thunderbird and Firefox to be honest, so probably in a couple of days. My first take at this point is that it is a good book, especially if you are switching from Word, or giving the program to your mother, friend, spouse, etc. hoping that they will actually use it. For heavier users of Office products, it is too light to be honest. Still, a book like this is a good starting point for most people.
If you want to buy a copy please use my link so I get a few pennies for my trouble 🙂
