FAQ OpenOffice.org and NeoOffice

What is OpenOffice.org X11 for Mac OS X / Darwin PPC?

OpenOffice.org X11 is a version of OpenOffice.org (OOo for short) that uses the UNIX system, that the Mac OS X is based on. So, the OpenOffice.org X11 behaves like a UNIX program within Mac OS X. The program can be used quite productively on Mac OS X system, if you are an experienced Mac OS X user or familiar with UNIX systems (e.g. Linux). If you know what UNIX means, you should be able to work with OpenOffice.org X11 with relatively little effort.

For developers: OpenOffice.org X11 uses LGPL license and is developed within openoffice.org CVS. You will also have to sign a JCA (read the bottom of the page) to contribute to the effort.

More information about OpenOffice.org X11 in OpenOffice.org Mac porting pages

What is NeoOffice?

NeoOffice is a fork of OpenOffice.org for Mac OS X.

Fork Means NeoOffice is another project, and is not OpenOffice.org. This way, NeoOffice project does not contribute to OpenOffice.org, and does not help to fix any OpenOffice.org bug.

Using Java/Cocoa binding, its look is like native integration with the Mac OS X system. This means, for example, native access to all the fonts in Mac OS X a different way than OpenOffice.org does (OpenOffice.org does use all Apple fonts, but not the same way).

NeoOffice uses GPL license and is built on top of OpenOffice.org X11 by using Java/Cocoa bindings for the User Interface (UI).

Said differently, it means uses a license not compatible with OpenOffice.org, so NeoOffice code cannot be used in OpenOffice.org, and OpenOffice.org developers must entirely rewrite the code for the same features.

More informations in About NeoOffice

Native port status

See : http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/User:Ericb

What is OpenOffice.org Aqua port / Cocoa port?

Starting in October 2005, there has been an effort to revive the direct native port of OpenOffice.org for Mac OS X. Currently (Jan 2006) this effort is at its first stages and it will take a long time, before it will be ready for final release. News about this effort will be published in OpenOffice.org Mac porting pages.

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Q1: Where can I find OpenOffice.org or NeoOffice ?

A: You can download both from respective sites.

Download OpenOffice.org from here (openoffice.org). Note that you have to have Apple X11 installed (see Q6).

Download NeoOffice from here (neooffice.org)

Q2: Why there seems to be several parallel efforts?

A: Because this is a very normal situation in open source. And also because of historical and personal choices.

This mail from Kevin Hendricks provides some historical details.

If you want to really understand the situation, here's some reading for you: History of NeoOffice and OpenOffice.org, Quote from Patrick may explain some of the licensing situation, and finally, you may want to read another FAQ

Q3: Where do I get support for OpenOffice.org X11 ?

A: The support.openoffice.org is the main place for all support related to openoffice.org.

The OpenOffice.org for Mac OSX support page is specifically for Mac OS X users.

Q4: But everybody could use OpenOffice.org X11...?

A: Yes, to use OpenOffice.org, Apple X11 or XDarwin must be installed (see Q1).

Q5: But it would be more efficient, if there would be only one effort...

A: NeoOffice is not taking developers away from OpenOffice.org: no matter what codebase is used, OpenOffice.org will get the important fixes and patches sooner or later. The Java part of NeoOffice is not interesting for OpenOffice.org since OpenOffice.org project wants to use only Cocoa/Carbon. Otherwise people could have started contributing to Java on NeoOffice in the first place.

This situation is similar to the eternal discussion that Linux desktops Gnome and KDE should be merged into one project. The world is better when there are alternatives.

Q6: What is this X11 thing and how do I install it?

A: To be able to use OpenOffice.org X11 for Mac OS X / Darwin PPC, you have to have Apple X11 installed. It allows graphical UNIX programs to be run in Mac OS X.

The X11.app is located in Application -> Utilities folder.

If you do not have X11 installed, Tiger users can install it from the Mac OS X 10.4 install DVD by running the Optional Installs package. You may need to scroll down in the Mac OS X Install DVD file listing to see the package. Once the optional installer is running, select X11 from the Applications list. For more information on how to install X11 see: Apple Support Article 301229. The interesting part begins below the title More custom reinstallation options with Mac OS X 10.4.

Panther users will need to download X11 from Apple's webpages.

Q7: OK. I downloaded OpenOffice.org X11. How do I use it?

The complete installation, either for PowerPC or Intel machines and even more are described (currently) in .pdf format for the following locales :

• English-US

• German

• French

These HowTo's are directly available at : http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/

Other translations are welcome !!

Please contact us on mac@porting mailing list if you are willing to translate thes HowTo's in your locale.

Q8: Where can I compare the features of the different office applications?

To be completed with objectives values