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Open Office

Dear Parents and Guardians, This year we are piloting a new software package. In the best interest of addressing our curriculum needs while remaining fiscally responsible we have decided to adopt "Open Office" Suite as our word processing, spreadsheet and multimedia application package.  This package looks like, and feels like other well known office packages but without the cost. As matter of fact, the cost is zero! Since we use technology as a tool, and teach skills not applications here at Brimfield Elementary School, we decided to integrate this package into our software library. This package interfaces seamlessly with other word processing programs. Using this tool both in and out of school allows our students to download the package at home and have all the resources available to them such as word processing, spreadsheets and multimedia applications. Oh and did I say that it is free? Yes, I did say free.  You can download this package from the following web site: http://www.openoffice.org/ Would you like to obtain additional information? Below I have provided several links that will provide you with additional information as you make your decision to download or not to download OpenOffice.

OpenOffice.org is Four: Testimonials

http://www.openoffice.org/about_us/testimonials.html#2004

OpenOffice.org, StarOffice Gaining Momentum

What are the advantages of using OpenOffice.org? "There's very little risk in trying out OpenOffice.org. It's free, of course, and conversion between OpenOffice.org and Word, Excel and PowerPoint is easy to learn. One can use OpenOffice.org to send files to people who require Microsoft files without them ever knowing the files weren't originally created in Microsoft Office. The advantages are the thousands or millions of dollars you'll save each year on license feesÖ" If you like to read more go to: http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/qna/0,289202,sid39_gci888081,00.html

Opening Up to OpenOffice.org: Finding an Alternative to Microsoft Word

"Because OpenOffice.org is open source, upgrades are also free. You can wait for official releases or upgrade to development releases, as they become available, whichever you prefer. You can also choose between the latest official release and a developer's build, which may be less stable, but has the latest features that are being developed." If you like to read more go to: http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/openofficewriter.html

Big Companies Save Big from Open Source

"Companies with a $1.1 million budget for office software can reduce their costs as much as 20 percent by using OpenOfficeÖ" If you like to read more go to: http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/05/08/HNbigopensource_1.html

Tutorials for OpenOffice

OpenOffice Suite Tutorials http://www.userful.com/support/office-flash Tutorials for OpenOffice http://www.tutorialsforopenoffice.org/category_index/Index.htm