OpenOffice Writer: a Microsoft Word Alternative for Linux

OpenOffice Writer is, by far, the most popular word processor for Linux. OpenOffice Writer is part of a suite of applications that includes a spreadsheet, database, drawing program and presentation program. For many people, OpenOffice, along with programs from Mozilla (Thunderbird and Firefox), are what make transitioning from Windows to Linux a possibility.

OpenOffice Writer has the lofty aim of being as compatible as possible with the second-most-recent version of Microsoft Word. Up until recently, Microsoft Word 2003 was the most up-to-date version from Microsoft, which meant OpenOffice was spending its time trying to gain perfect compatibility with Microsoft Word 2000. Now that Office 2007 is upon us, Office 2003 will be the next goal.

Among Linux word processors, OpenOffice Writer has the distinction of being the most compatible with Microsoft Word, by far. OpenOffice is based on code from Star Office, a commercial Linux office suite. Because of this, the software is able to move between different file formats with great ease.

In addition to writing its own format, OpenOffice is able to write and read Microsoft Word's everpresent .doc format, as well as plain text, rich text, html, OpenDocument, Star Writer, Palm Document, and can export to a variety of formats as well.

For writers needing a high level of compatibility, OpenOffice Writer is by far the best choice for Linux users. But a word of warning: compatibility is a tricky thing, and something fairly easily broken by Microsoft. Microsoft, as a commercial enterprise, has no real incentive (other than avoiding lawsuits by the Department of Justice and the European Economic Union), to play "nice" with other companies. As far as Microsoft is concerned, any person not using Office is a lost sale.