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. While the program can be used quite productively on Mac OS X system, it has lesser amount of integration with the system then NeoOffice. If you are an experienced Mac OS X user or familiar with UNIX systems (e.g. Linux), then you should be able to work with OpenOffice.org 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 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. While the program can be used quite productively on Mac OS X system, it has lesser amount of integration with the system then NeoOffice. If you are an experienced Mac OS X user or familiar with UNIX systems (e.g. Linux), then you should be able to work with OpenOffice.org 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 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: So, which version should I use for Mac OS X?

A: Well, this depends on what you want.

If you are new to Mac OS X, or like to use smoothly working applications like iTunes, Pages, Safari or iPhoto, then we recommend that you try NeoOffice first.

If you are an experienced Mac OS X user or familiar with UNIX and don't mind to tinker a bit, then you could also try OpenOffice.org X11. Remember that you have to have Apple X11 installed, this located in Application -> Utilities folder. If you do not have it, you can install it from your Mac OS X install DVD/CDs or from [xxx Apple's webpages].

Also, this webpage may help you: OpenOffice.org and its Macintosh ports.

Q2: Why there seems to be several parallel efforts?

A: Well shortly: because this is very normal situation in open source, it is a good thing, really. And because of historical and personal choices. You have to keep in mind that in 2003, when NeoOffice started, the world was a very different place than it is now.

The long version: We encourage you to read first the NeoOffice FAQ. Also, read the History of NeoOffice and OpenOffice.org. This mail from Kevin Hendricks also provides some historical details. Lastly, this quote from Patrick may explain some of the licensing situation.

Sometimes there is extra need to communicate things from NeoOffice to OpenOffice.org and vice versa, but this is just a small thing that can be solved and is mostly working very well currently. NeoOffice and OpenOffice.o rg are a JOINT community, both helping each others.

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

A: The NeoOffice forums provide most of the user support for both OpenOffice.org X11 and NeoOffice.

Here's also the OpenOffice.org for Mac OSX support page

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

A: One has to separate the users and the developers. And also new users and experienced users (see Q1).

Different people need different things and not all people want to tinker when they install applications, neither do those people want to do development work. For those people neither OpenOffice.org X11 nor the current OpenOffice.org Cocoa port is as user friendly as NeoOffice.

For those who want to tinker and develop, the OpenOffice.org provides excellent chance to learn to program :)

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: But...

A: People, stop being hostile to projects that are not "your own".

In the end, those who code are the ones that make the decisions, not others. Developers who write code have the freedom to choose the licence/toolkit for their own code, it's their work and their rights.