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

  1. Is there a release of Apache OpenOffice I can download?
    • Not yet. The Apache OpenOffice project will have a new release soon, which will be called Apache OpenOffice v3.4.  This will be the completion of the earlier OpenOffice.org 3.4 beta, which included many features.   OpenOffice.org 3.3 users, when they upgrade, can look forward to native SVG support, improved ODF 1.2 encryption support, enhanced Asian word count support, new spreadsheet functions, more optimized PDF exports, a new color picker dialog, among the improvements.  Details on these and other enhancements and fixes can be found in the draft of our Apache OpenOffice 3.4 release notes.
    • Developer versions are available although they are not intended for end-user purposes apart from testing
       
  2. What has Oracle given to Apache?
    • Oracle has used Apache's Software Grant Agreement (SGA) process to contribute the OpenOffice.org source code to Apache under the Apache 2.0 license.  They also gave Apache the trademarks and domain names owned by them and associated with the project.
       
  3. 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), a well as MPLv2, the new Mozilla license.
    • Apache OpenOffice will always be free for download from the official website: http://www.openoffice.org
       
  4. Why has the name changed?
    • The Apache OpenOffice Project Management Committee, after extensive community discussion and comment, voted to change the name from "OpenOffice.org" to "Apache OpenOffice".  We had spirited discussions and this was not a unanimous decision.  Those who voted for the name change generally thought the shorter name was better than calling it "Apache OpenOffice.org", which would have been the alternative name.  Future releases will be called Apache OpenOffice.  But we still refer to prior releases as OpenOffice.org,
       
  5. Is Apache OpenOffice a full Apache Project?
    • Not yet. The Apache OpenOffice project is still in incubation and has not yet graduated to a Top Level Project (TLP.)
    • Once a release is approved by the Apache Incubator, the project plans to request graduation. This will require a project vote, an Incubator PMC vote and approval by the Apache Software Foundation Board at a monthly meeting.
       
  6. Who is building Apache OpenOffice releases?
    • In common with other Apache projects, work on Apache OpenOffice is performed by individual volunteers.
    • Development is done a number of the original developers of OpenOffice.org in addition to community volunteers and developers from other projects derived from the OpenOffice codebase including IBM Symphony.
    • Releases are managed by the Apache OpenOffice PPMC.
       
  7. Where can I get updates to the copy of OpenOffice.org that I am running?
    • 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 openoffice.org website.
    • Once Apache OpenOffice v3.4 is released, the project recommends you replace your OpenOffice.org installation with it.
    • Again, there are developer versions available for testing purposes.
       
  8. I have seen adverts on eBay and elsewhere offering OpenOffice for sale. Are they from this project?
    • No. Apache does not sell software or engage in any other commercial activity.
    • OpenOffice is open source software that can be freely downloaded from the Internet.
    • Third parties are allowed to redistribute it for a fee or add 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 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 sites.
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