Cool Software 2/21/09: OpenOffice Suite

If you have switched from Windows to Mac, you know how frustrating it can be to go without the Microsoft Office Suite. Or, you don't feel like paying to upgrade your old software (especially in this economy). But, there is a free alternative to Microsoft Office, and, in many ways it is better. OpenOffice is an open-source (meaning anyone can get the code for the software) suite of applications. It's made by Sun Microsystems (the same company that makes the widely used Java platform) and is completely free. It has Writer, a text editor similar to Microsoft Word. Calc, a spreadsheet management tool (similar to Microsoft Excel). Impress, a presentation making software (similar to Microsoft Powerpoint). Draw, a drawing application (similar to MS Paint). Lastly, there is Base, a database managment tool (similar to Microsoft Access). Base, though, can use SGL databases, because it is made by Sun Microsystems, that also makes MySQL, the premier SQL database tool, it is far superior to Microsoft Access. Draw is also better in many ways. It can manipulate images, like Photoshop of the Gimp can. Calc, also has a special Scenario MAnager, somethin Microsoft Excel does not. Overall, if you want a new, easy to use, and powerful office suite, or don't like Microsoft, this software is for you. 10/10

You can learn more and download it here.