I have supported Microsoft Office over the years primarily for the simple fact that their products remained consistent yet progressive and they made attempts to streamline software acquisitions by creating volume licensing programs, adding software that made sense, etc. Sure there have been products like Corel WordPerfect Office which have given Microsoft a “run” to at least provide a good product, but somehow Microsoft always won my attention. I have changed my mind.

Sun Microsystems has launched a head-on attack against Microsoft’s giant customer base by introducing their own software application suite, called OpenOffice.org. Although this is a new discovery for me, OpenOffice.org is not new to the market by any means. You may ask how could anyone take on the massive Microsoft Office marketing army? Because this one is 100% FREE. Yes, I mean that. All Sun asks for is a donation to provide funding for future product enhancements, and even the donation is optional. Sun’s office suite contains applications that addresses each of the popular needs of the average business consumer: Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Math (scientific formulas), Impress (presentations), Draw (flowcharts and drawings), and Base (databases). The only application that I would like to have seen in their suite is an email program, but when you get right down to it you realize there are plenty of “free” email programs out there in the market.

Why would you pay $500 for Microsoft Office when OpenOffice.org is free? So what are you waiting for? It just makes business cents (pun-intended) to make this migration today! And no, this isn’t an advertisement, but merely a “beacon” to help you find your independence from Microsoft. Good luck and see you on the other side!