When you start up the application, the first thing you will see is the Start Center feature that displays options, such as the various applications, working on your existing documents, installing extensions, or downloading templates. OpenOffice 3 consists of the following applications:
Writer
OpenOffice's word processor application, Writer, offers many features similar to what you will find in Microsoft Word or Corel's WordPerfect. For those of you who use Adobe Acrobat, you can export your documents into PDF (portable document format) files, all without having to use extra software. You can also use Writer's WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor to create web pages.
OpenOffice allows you to view multiple pages simultaneously. You just use the Zoom slider feature that is located at the bottom of the window. Then you can view the previous and next page, along with the content on the current page. It's even better if you use more than one large monitor. For one, you can view colleague's notes, which are located in the margin. You can also see the time and date the colleague entered the notes.
Calc
OpenOffice's spreadsheet application, Calc, also offers some enhancements. It offers features similar to those that you will find in Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3. You can create spreadsheets in the PDF format. Also, your spreadsheet is no longer limited to 256 columns. Instead, not only can you increase the columns, but you can also share your data with other colleagues. As a result, you can incorporate the new data into the spreadsheet. Calc also offers custom error bars. One of the features you will find in Calc that you won't find in Microsoft Excel is that it can set up series for graphing, based on your layout of data. With Calc, you can pop tables into OpenOffice's presentation application, Impress.
Impress
Speaking of Impress, this application offers features similar to what you find in Microsoft PowerPoint. You can export your presentation to Adobe Flash (SWF) files. As a result, you can play it on any computer, as long as it has the Flash player installed on it. Just as with Writer and Calc, you can also create documents in the PDF format. If your colleagues send you a presentation that was created in Microsoft PowerPoint, you can still view it in Impress. Unfortunately, one of the down sides to Impress is that it does not have the pre-defined templates. However, Impress allows you to download templates from the Internet.
Base
OpenOffice's database application, Base, is also similar to Microsoft Access. Not only can you develop and modify databases, you can create reports and forms so that your colleagues or customers will be able to access them. Like Microsoft Access, you can use Base as a front-end tool to various database programs, including ODBC data sources, Access (JET) databases, or PostgreSQL/MySQL. Keep in mind, although Base can be used as the front-end to databases, you don't need to install any of them.
Draw
OpenOffice's Draw, a vector graphics editor application tool, is similar to CorelDRAW. You can take advantage of its features, such as the ability to create flowcharts. It also comes with various line styles. This tool also consists of desktop publishing software that has features similar to those you find in Microsoft Publisher or Scribus.
Math
Do you need to incorporate mathematical formulas into your word documents, reports, or presentations? Then you should consider taking advantage of OpenOffice's Math software application. This software offers features similar to those in Microsoft's Equation Editor. Math works with various fonts. You can also export your information into PDF.
