* Sun releases StarOffice 8
Linux desktop users looking for better interoperability between Microsoft and open source office apps should check out the recently-launched StarOffice 8 release from Sun.
A popular open source alterative to Microsoft Office (50 million downloads so far, according to Sun), StarOffice is based on the OpenOffice.org free software code base, which includes word processing, presentation, database and spreadsheet applications, similar to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Access and Excel. The latest version of StarOffice provides greater file format compatibility between these Microsoft Office file formats and StarOffice formats.
According to Sun, users can now import Microsoft Word macros written in VBA into StarOffice applications. Several new wizards also automate tasks such as mail merges, macro imports and other functions, the company says. The new software also makes it easier to export files for reading in Microsoft Office and importing files into StarOffice from Microsoft, eliminating the need for format changes and minor tweaks that were required previously when working with documents cross-platform.
Expanded database connectivity and interoperability is another new feature in the product package. According to Sun, StarOffice 8 allows users to more easily set up connects to databases through StarOffice application interfaces. New wizards are used here as well for such tasks as tying an application or document to a database source, or generating a report based on database criteria.
StarOffice runs on all Linux flavors, as well as Sun’s Solaris operating system and Microsoft Windows.
Sun is also partnering with retail software publishers Avanquest Publishing and Encore software publishers, which will distribute StarOffice 8 in U.S., Canadian and ten other countries throughout Europe. StarOffice 8 is available now and costs $100 for a CD, or $70 when downloaded over the Internet. Corporate users can buy large site licenses for $35 per end-user, or $25 per seat if upgrading from older versions of StarOffice.
