Any openoffice 2 / ms office 2003 pro conflicts 2

[iemproductions]

hello,

i have a client that wants to switch to openoffice. i've looked on openoffice.org to see if i could find out whether or not there are any conflicts, having both of these packages installed on the same computer that has windows xp pro? i didn't see anything, but i'd like to make sure.

thank you.

 

[TonyGroves]

The only conflicts would be with file associations. OO allows you to change the associations for doc/xls/ppt files at install time, and if you later decide to uninstall OO (I can't imagine why you would, but it's not impossible), the associations might need to be re-done manually.

 

[iemproductions]

hi tony,

i did read that during the installation you can select whether you want openoffice to be the default software that opens ms word documents.

i figured that if that option isn't selected, ms word docs will open as they always have in ms word by default and if you open, openoffice and then open a word doc, that's fine.

as i can't predict what someone else will do (in terms of whether they would keep openoffice installed or not, i figured i would get as much help as possible up front so that i don't give out bad advice.

i had also checked the star office site to see if there was any mention there, but i didn't see any. i also checked to see what the differences were between the 2. i did see a list, but it doesn't seem like the additional features would be useful for a 2 person office. do you think that is a fair assessment?

thanks

 

[TonyGroves]

I find that both OO and MSO function identically for the vast majority of users; I've installed it about 20 times over the past two years and as far as I can see not one of those users has had any trouble with it. The only issues that crop up now and again are with users mailing OO-format files to people who are still using MSO, and with having uninformed outsiders (usually salesmen) telling them that they "need" Word or Excel to read MSO files. When I tell them the only real difference between OO and MSO is 500 euro per head, that usually settles the matter.

 

[spthomas]

I would agree with Tony. I've switched my entire company to OO about 3 versions ago. Version 2.0 is as close to 100% compatible with MSO as I can tell. The ONLY thing I know of that might cause compatibility issues is macros. And I had machines with both on them for weeks during conversion, and the only problem was the file associations, but now we have OO open all MSO fils and open and save in MSO format exclusively, and there have been zero issues in 4 years.

=Steve=

 

[iemproductions]

thank you tony. i have pasted your message in my openoffice document, so that i can make sure that i include something about emailing openoffice docs.

 

[iemproductions]

steve,

macros shouldn't be a problem, as my client hasn't created any, at least none that i am aware of.

i am really happy to hear that you have had this software running smoothly for so many years. thank you.

 

[firefytr]

I've had no conflicts with my OO and MS Office 2002/2003/2007 on a Win XP Pro system.

Regards,
Zack Barresse

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. What is a Microsoft MVP? Professional Office Developers Association
- Leonardo da Vinci

 

[iemproductions]

thank you firefytr. i'm happy to hear that you have also used openoffice with office 2007. thanks again.