[Tadpole]

LibreOffice 4 is out, for Windows, Mac and Linux

https://www.libreoffice.org/

Announcement:
http://blog.documentfoundation.org/2...breoffice-4-0/

[flagpole]

thanks

[cnbcwatcher]

Just downloaded it onto my Macbook Air. So far I like it. I'm glad it doesn't have that bloody ribbon interface. I use M$ Office 2008 on my Macbook Pro though.

[Tadpole]

I think LibreOffice (and OpenOffice) require Java for full functionality, these dependencies could end up scaring people away from both products until Oracle/Sun get sort out Java's security. Java 7 Update 13 appears to fix quite a few things but it's not clear if it fixes everything yet.

[MassiveDynamics]

Originally Posted by Tadpole

I think LibreOffice (and OpenOffice) require Java for full functionality, these dependencies could end up scaring people away from both products until Oracle/Sun get sort out Java's security. Java 7 Update 13 appears to fix quite a few things but it's not clear if it fixes everything yet.

Yes, count me as one of those people

I removed LibreOffice 3 when Calc trashed an XLSX so badly that only Calc could re-open it - Excel, Polaris Office, Numbers all refused.

[noise747]

I got 3..6, I wonder if it is worth bothering to upgrade?

As for java, people worry too much. they don't panic with all the security holes internet Exploder have had over the years.

[MassiveDynamics]

Originally Posted by noise747

I got 3..6, I wonder if it is worth bothering to upgrade?

As for java, people worry too much. they don't panic with all the security holes internet Exploder have had over the years.

I had it installed on a Mac so what is this IE you talk of

[Robertfltn]

Anybody tried installing the Firefox personas? The lighter ones really make it look good but the dark ones obscure the menu colours.

[cnbcwatcher]

Originally Posted by MassiveDynamics

I had it installed on a Mac so what is this IE you talk of

You don't want to know, believe me All I know is that it's a Micro$oft product and should be approached at your peril.

[neo_wales]

Its a great little programme and certainly worth having on your netbook/No2 machine sort of thing.

[barky99]

Originally Posted by Tadpole

I think LibreOffice (and OpenOffice) require Java for full functionality, these dependencies could end up scaring people away from both products until Oracle/Sun get sort out Java's security. Java 7 Update 13 appears to fix quite a few things but it's not clear if it fixes everything yet.

not much in it uses java & what there is there is to be removed sometime soon ... BUT java is really just a security problem when using its browser plugin, so long as that's disabled all should be reasonably OK

[MassiveDynamics]

I know Base needs Java, does anybody know what else it is used for in LibreOffice?

[Esot-eric]

AFAIK it's only Base and the Wizards that still have Java dependancies.

[s2k]

Originally Posted by MassiveDynamics

Yes, count me as one of those people

Me too. Havent bothered with Java at all on my new build and dont really feel like I'm missing out. Office 2010 Starter seems much more elegant under a Vista/7/8 machine too.

I do have a crappy old laptop running Linux that I use for tinkering, so will update it on there if its supported on my distro or whatever.

[lettice]

Thanks for the update, would not have seen this otherwise.
Installed on W7 ok, but had to uninstall 3.5 first.
But, it will not install at all on W8 for two machines I have. It crashes the installer. Tried uninstalling the previous version and it still crashes.

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by Tadpole

I think LibreOffice (and OpenOffice) require Java for full functionality, these dependencies could end up scaring people away from both products until Oracle/Sun get sort out Java's security. Java 7 Update 13 appears to fix quite a few things but it's not clear if it fixes everything yet.

It works perfectly well with Java v8

[noise747]

Originally Posted by MassiveDynamics

I had it installed on a Mac so what is this IE you talk of

just something I heard about and have to disable on my computer.

[noise747]

Originally Posted by Robertfltn

Anybody tried installing the Firefox personas? The lighter ones really make it look good but the dark ones obscure the menu colours.

Why? i prefer it as it is or as it was. Have they been mucking around with crap like that?

[noise747]

Originally Posted by s2k

Me too. Havent bothered with Java at all on my new build and dont really feel like I'm missing out. Office 2010 Starter seems much more elegant under a Vista/7/8 machine too.

I do have a crappy old laptop running Linux that I use for tinkering, so will update it on there if its supported on my distro or whatever.

A lot more money goes into producing Office 2010 and you pay more for it normally.

For most people at home something like Libre will do just fine. I got office 2000 and never updated after that, no point when I can get something that does what I want for free.

[cnbcwatcher]

Originally Posted by noise747

A lot more money goes into producing Office 2010 and you pay more for it normally.

For most people at home something like Libre will do just fine. I got office 2000 and never updated after that, no point when I can get something that does what I want for free.

Office 2000 was good. In fact I reckon the last decent version of MS Office for Windows was 2003. 2007 and 2010 are awful because of that bloody ribbon interface. I'd like to get that ribbon and wrap it around the neck of whoever made it. LibreOffice is just as good and it reads those annoying docx files some people insist on sending me.

[MassiveDynamics]

Originally Posted by noise747

just something I heard about and have to disable on my computer.

Me too

I never touch it now that we have the EU Browser Choice thing which saves me manually downloading Firefox & Chrome.

I only tried LibreOffice for Mac as I have Office 2010 on my PC's and didn't want to fork out for Office 2011 for Mac.

[lettice]

Originally Posted by MassiveDynamics

Me too

I never touch it now that we have the EU Browser Choice thing which saves me manually downloading Firefox & Chrome.

I only tried LibreOffice for Mac as I have Office 2010 on my PC's and didn't want to fork out for Office 2011 for Mac.

I remember that, but it disappeared for the W8 upgrades, it came with IE and no choice. Mind Ive ditched IE and using good old Firefox.

[MassiveDynamics]

Originally Posted by lettice

I remember that, but it disappeared for the W8 upgrades, it came with IE and no choice. Mind Ive ditched IE and using good old Firefox.

I thought it was W7 SP1 that 'forgot' it and now Microsoft are facing big fines from the EU.

I'm sure I got a browser choice screen when I installed W8, it was part of the first Windows Update I did.

EDIT: I tried downloading LibreOffice 4 for Windows and keep getting an error message about a corrupt CAB file part way through the install, I tried using a different mirror site - same result. I am wondering if it is a Virgin Media download issue or my anti-virus.

[cnbcwatcher]

Originally Posted by MassiveDynamics

Me too

I never touch it now that we have the EU Browser Choice thing which saves me manually downloading Firefox & Chrome.

I have to write about that for EU Competition Law and give a presentation on it I'm going to go there with a Mac in my hand and wear my black turtleneck

[MassiveDynamics]

Originally Posted by cnbcwatcher

I have to write about that for EU Competition Law and give a presentation on it I'm going to go there with a Mac in my hand and wear my black turtleneck

RDF only works if you are going bald