This last month Open Office release version 3.0. Demand was so high that the openoffice.org website was temporarily disabled, testifying to its popularity and growth. All of our patron computers have Open Office, while only a few have Microsoft Office. Most patrons have had few problems with switching over, with the exception of some incompatibility issues with power point projects. We haven’t upgraded since version 2.0, so it was definitely time. We haven’t tested power point projects in the latest Open Office Presentations, but we’re hoping that the issues have long been solved.

When we upgraded Open Office, we also added the latest versions of Gimp (2.6.1) and Inkscape (0.45). Gimp is the open source version of Photoshop and Inkscape a replacement for Adobe Illustrator. We have had a few patrons ask for the ability to edit photos or create artwork for projects. There was no way our library would have been able to buy the licenses for the Adobe products for all of our patron computers. The open source versions were an easy choice. Both programs are gaining in popularity across the net, though few still know about them. We have yet to have patrons try them out. Hopefully soon so we can gauge the feedback.

There is an unfortunate perception that because these programs are free or “cheap” that they are not of the same quality or standard of expensive, commercial programs. Give them a try and see what you think. You might be surprised.