Home and educational computer users and company IT groups that are considering widespread deployment of OpenOffice.org will use this succinct reference to make more efficient use of the suite. The three major platforms are covered in detail: Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X making this the essential starter's guide to acquiring and using the suite. Each component—Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Data Source tools, Web, and the Formula tool—is treated to a thorough yet concise collection of how-to topics providing everything needed to become proficient OpenOffice users.

OpenOffice.org is a full-featured office and desktop productivity suite of applications, including components for word processing, spreadsheets, slide show presentations and vector drawing. It also includes database connection, HTML editing, mathematical equation editing, and advanced scripting capabilities. As an open source program, OpenOffice.org can be downloaded and shared without charge from the project Web site. Its source code is available for any person or group to examine, study or modify for their own purposes or to share back with the project.

OpenOffice.org is moving from a position of viable competitor to Microsoft Office and WordPerfect Office, to the new default choice in many markets. Non-profits, university students, small businesses and governments make up the early adopters and today's core userbase. Meanwhile, OpenOffice.org is moving rapidly into the mainstream for computer users in all sectors of the market and in every country.