FAQ: OpenOffice

OpenOffice is a free version of Microsoft's $700 Microsoft Office package. OpenOffice includes a close of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and Microsoft's PowerPoint package. OpenOffice is compatible with Microsoft's documents: it can open, edit, and save Microsoft documents. Better yet, OpenOffice can create PDFs.

The open source community has reverse-engineered Microsoft's products. OpenOffice is released by SUN Microsystems, mostly to annoy Microsoft and break Microsoft's monopoly. Microsoft will retaliate by releasing Microsoft Office Lite, a low-cost version. But OpenOffice has the full power of Microsoft Office, and it's a free download.

• Download OpenOffice for free at Openoffice.org (50 MB download). Visit the website, select your language, and download it.