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OpenOffice for Mac OS X Now in Alpha

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

June 5, 2007, 3:02 PM

The OpenOffice.org development team on Tuesday released the first alpha test version of OpenOffice Aqua, which is built specifically for Apple's Mac OS X operating system. The previous Mac port of OpenOffice required the use of the X11 system, making the software slow and difficult to run.

Although the release is six years in the making, developers warn that the early alpha is still very buggy, and "it may crash and destroy your data." A number of features are still not functional, including printing, PDF export, copy and paste, and multi-monitor support. In addition, OpenOffice Aqua will crash after quitting.

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By 33Nick

posted Jun 5, 2007 - 5:51 PM

I wonder what's the point?

NeoOffice works pretty well if you can stand the whole X11 things. Aren't they also working on bypassing X11?

Score: 0

By webfrasse

edited Jun 5, 2007 - 10:00 PM

NeoOffice does NOT require X11.

/Mikael

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jun 7, 2007 - 10:48 AM

Score: 0

By DudeBoyz

posted Jun 5, 2007 - 7:01 PM

NeoOffice, to my knowledge, does not need X11 at all. I believe on my 24" iMac, X11 is NOT installed, but NeoOffice is.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jun 7, 2007 - 10:49 AM

Score: 0

By zridling

posted Jun 5, 2007 - 6:56 PM

The point will be OASIS OpenDocument (ODF) format and the interoperability it brings to Mac users, thus more freedom from Microsoft.

Score: 0

By Galway

posted Jun 5, 2007 - 4:01 PM

"A number of features are still not functional, including printing"

If they are going to take on microsoft they are going the right way about it, 6 years in the making, and can crash and lose your data. Is this the paperless office ive heard about ?

Score: 0

By DudeBoyz

posted Jun 5, 2007 - 3:30 PM

MAN - that took a LONG time.

NeoOffice has 'em whipped so far. Still, I'm glad they are FINALLY getting off their tail and trying to make it work without X11