Versions Compared

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.
Comment: Migrated to Confluence 4.0

Work In Progress - not yet a an approved public resource, please refer to the dev list. Keep its it simple and factual!

  1. Is there a release of Apache OpenOffice I can download?
    • The Yes. Apache OpenOffice project will be releasing a new binary soon, which will be called Apache OpenOffice v3.4.
    • Major features of this release include the replacement of all the copyleft or otherwise restrictive code, plus important updates and new features including a native SVG implementation.
    • Developer versions are available although they are not intended for end-user purposes apart from testing
       
    • 3.4 can be downloaded from our website.
       
  2. When is the next release of OpenOffice expected? What features will it have?
    • We are working on an Apache OpenOffice 3.4.1 maintenance release as well as a 3.5 feature release.
    • Rough target for 3.4.1 is the end of July.  No date has been suggested yet for 3.5
    • 3.4.1 will contain critical bug fixes as well as additional language translations.
    •  If you want to be notified as soon as new releases are available for download, you can send an email to ooo-announce-subscribe@incubator.apache.org.
       
  3. What has Oracle given to Apache?
    • Oracle contributed the OpenOffice.org source code to the Apache Software Foundation using the Apache Software Grant Agreement (SGA).
    • This SGA permits the Apache OpenOffice Project Management Committee the ability to re-license the OpenOffice source code under the Apache 2.0 license. 
    • Oracle transferred to  Apache the trademarks and domain names owned by them and associated with the project.
    • Oracle provided assistance to help migrate websites and other services hosted by Oracle to Apache servers.
       
  4. Is OpenOffice still open source? Is it still free software?
    • Yes. Apache OpenOffice is still both open source software and free software.
    • The new license, the Apache License 2.0, is compatible with the GNU GPLv3 and with the GNU LGPLv3 (the previous license), as well as MPLv2, the new Mozilla license.
    • Apache OpenOffice will always be free for download from the official website: http://www.openoffice.org
    Has Sun/Oracle ceased OpenOffice development?
    • Oracle was by far the biggest contributor and the code owner of all the code in OpenOffice.Org. Development of a free Office suite with the size and complexity of OpenOffice.org is something that few organizations can manage effectively and Oracle decided to give it fully to an organization with the tested governance and credibility to keep development.
    • The OpenOffice.org trademarks and domain names now belong to The Apache Software Foundation.
       
  5. Why has the name changed?
    • The Apache OpenOffice project now owns the original voted to change the name from "OpenOffice.org domain and plans to use it for the continuation and future promotion of Apache OpenOffice project.
    • The names of future released code have therefore been changed to match Apache's trademark guidelines.
    • Future releases from the OpenOffice.org domain will be called "Apache OpenOffice".
       
  6. Is Apache OpenOffice a full Apache Project?
    • Not yet. The Apache OpenOffice project is still in incubation and has not yet requested graduation to a TLP.
    • The project will do so once the graduation criteria have all been met, most notably having a release of the code approved by the Apache Software Foundation.
       
    • " to "Apache OpenOffice"
    • This was done after extensive community discussion and comment.  
    • One constraint was that we had to preface the name with "Apache", per Apache branding guidelines.
    • So one alternative was "Apache OpenOffice.org".   Those who voted for the name change to "Apache OpenOffice" generally thought the shorter name was better.
    •  Future releases will be called Apache OpenOffice.  "OpenOffice.org" is used to refer to the pre-Apache releases.
       
  7. What is the status of OpenOffice at Apache?
    • We are a "podling" in the "Apache Incubator". 
    • When new codebases and new communities are brought to Apache they begin in the Incubator. The Incubator Project Management Committee supports new projects in their initial period at Apache. IMPC members are experienced volunteers missioned to help podling members understand how Apache works, technically, procedurally as well as socially. 
    • A project "graduates" from the Incubator when it has demonstrated that it has met various Apache policy requirements and community guidelines. 
    • Being in the Incubator is not a reflection of the completeness or stability of the code.  It is merely a statement that our 12 year old project is new at Apache.
       
  8. Who is developing Apache OpenOffice?
    • Work on Apache OpenOffice is performed by a diverse group of volunteers, from over a dozen countries. 
    • We have participants who are brand new to the project as of last week.  We also have many experienced professional OpenOffice developers, who have been involved with the project for a decade or more. 
    • These volunteers work on coding, testing, documentation, websites, translations, marketing as well as other functions. 
    • If you are interested in helping develop the next great version of Apache OpenOffice please take a look at our Getting Involved page
    Who is building Apache OpenOffice releases
    • The Apache foundation is a non-profit organization so we basically depend on voluntary efforts.
    • Development is done a number of the original developers of OpenOffice.org in addition to developers from other projects derived from the OpenOffice codebase including IBM Symphony and community volunteers.
       
  9. Where can I get updates to the copy of OpenOffice.org that I am running?
    • The latest release of OpenOffice.org is 3.4.  It can be downloaded from http://download.openoffice.org.   If you have that then you have the latest version.
    • If you would like to extend the capabilities of OpenOffice 3.3 you might take a look at the many compatible extensions and templates that are available.
       
  10. I have seen advertisements on eBay and elsewhere offering OpenOffice for sale. Are they from this project?
    • No. Apache never sells software or engages in any other commercial activity.
    • OpenOffice is open source
    • Users are warned that OpenOffice is free software that can be freely downloaded from the http://www.openoffice.org website.
    • Third Internet. While third parties are allowed to redistribute it for a fee or add they their own software to it.
    • Users are warned however that there are some dishonest people who will try to sell unrelated products for huge fees or include adware and malware with it.
    • There have been no updates to OpenOffice.org binaries released for users since Oracle stopped development and there will be no patches to those earlier binary programs released.
    • The project is currently preparing a new version of the code and it will be available through the traditional channels; specifically the openoffice.org website.
    • Once Apache OpenOffice v3.4 is released, the project recommends you replace your OpenOffice.org installation with it.
    • in bundles, or sell "subscriptions" that result in repeated charges to your credit card.
    • Users are warned to only download from the project directly and not from other sitesAgain, there are developer versions available for testing purposes.