Writer vs. Word, which one will you use? Two different word processing systems that produce the same end result, one is free, the other is not.
Writer is OpenOffice's open source (free) word processing program, a project of Sun Microsystems. This software can produce anything from basic letters and memo's, to more complicated mail merge, tables, books, indexes and bibliographies. Writer can also do more advanced desktop publishing functions, for example; columns for newsletters, brochures, business cards, and tables used for more complicated layouts.
Writer features several automated programs, auto correct, auto-complete and auto-format plus a spellchecker. There is also a wizard to create letters, memos, web pages, faxes and agendas. The wizard is extremely helpful for people who are not very computer literate.
Writer has most of the same commands that Microsoft Word has, but some are in different places. Some commands that are on the toolbars with Writer, are a menu item in Word and vice versa.
Writer vs. Word
Text boundaries are automatic for Writer and can be turned off, Word's boundaries can be found under Tools, Options, Print and Web Layout, text boundaries.
Non printing characters are on the Standard Toolbar in both Writer and Word.
The Table menus for both are on the Menu bar.
Inserting pictures are the same, both are Insert, picture.
Headers and Footers for Writer are separate items under Insert, Header, or Insert Footer, Word has both under View, Headers and Footers.
Options in Writer that are not in Word
Export as .pdf. .pdf files are used to share information that the Writer does not want changed. Create an ImageMap. ImageMapes are used for the web to make specific locations of an image clickable, in other words, when a pre-programed area is clicked on, the link takes you to a different web page.
OpenOffice's Writer is a complete word processing system. It is integrated with OpenOffice's other software programs including; Basic (a database program), Calc (a spreadsheet program), Draw (a drawing program), Impress (presentation software) and Math (creates mathematical formulas). It is also multiplatform and works with Macs, Linux and Microsoft and others.
Download your free copy of OpenOffice by clicking here
The copyright of the article Writer vs Word in Computer Software is owned by Sharon Koss. Permission to republish Writer vs Word in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I especially like Writer because it's easy to use and its free. Now a days, very few things are free.
Writer can accomplish evetything that you can do with Word, including newsletters, tables, cards and anything else you can dream up. If you need the versatility of Word but cannot afford the software, goto OpenOfice and download your free copy!
Dec 7, 2006 5:19 PM
Albo P. Fossa :
It insisted on coming up at system startup and living in the system tray. Once I disabled that, any one component (e.g., Writer) is very slow to load. That aside, Writer is a very handy tool. I only wish it had the multitude of document templates (like Avery labels) that Word has built-in).
Dec 8, 2006 4:24 PM
Sharon Koss :
I agree with you! Did you know that Avery labels work with Writer just fine? Also, OpenOffice.com has free templates on their web site. You can also search for free templates and you will find that may templates that work with Word, also work with Writer, just not the Microsoft templates.
Dec 18, 2006 12:39 PM
Albo P. Fossa :
I haven't been able to fetch Avery labels into Writer yet, as I did for Word;will try again... (I just now rebuilt my computer for the second time this year!) Instead of downloading OOo, I ordered the latest CD; and will go to Avery site once installed. Thanks.
Jun 4, 2007 8:49 AM
Daniel Escasa :
Correction: that's http://www.openoffice.org. As to its being free (in response to a previous post), the zero cost is only part of the story. The bigger part is that the source code is available and can be modified by anyone, subject to the terms of the license (GPL?). That may not seem to mean much to non-programmers, but it does, because it means that OpenOffice.org (the office software suite) won't die if the sponsors (Sun Microsystems?) and the project team decide to abandon it. Since the source code is available, another sponsor or project team will simply take that source code and continue development.
