Adiós MSOffice, Hola OpenOffice

Compré hace meses una nueva computadora y traía la versión 2007 del Office de Microsoft. Hace días se acabó el período de prueba, y si quería seguir usándolo tenía que pagar 1600 pesos, un descuento de 400 pesos del precio comercial de 2000 pesos (200 dólares). Demasiado dinero para un profesor universitario. El monopolio del señor Gates mantiene a millones atados a comprarle al precio que él ponga. Como solución de emergencia pensé en desinstalar el Office 2007 y poner una versión anterior. Pero casualmente encontré una solución: usar el OpenOffice, el paquete office realizado usando software libre. Lo mejor de todo es que lee a la perfección mis archivos realizados con el Office de Microsoft. El OpenOffice 2.4 en Español tiene procesador de palabras, hoja de cálculo, programas para presentaciones, base datos, y dibujo. Intuitivo, facil de usar y... gratis. La prensa especializada solo tiene alabanzas para el OpenOffice:

• PC Pro Magazine delivers its verdict on Version 2: Our pick of the low-cost office suites has had a much-needed overhaul, and now battles Microsoft in terms of features, not just price.

OpenOffice.org 2 earns in Issue 135, Jan 06. The magazine's reviewer concludes: OpenOffice certainly doesn't lack features compared to the market leader, and most of its ease-of-use issues stem from people's familiarity with Microsoft Office rather than an inherent problem with the program itself. As such, you should certainly try OpenOffice's offering before donating another UKP100 or more to Microsoft's coffers. After all, it's free.

• OpenOffice is great alternative to Microsoft by Andy Ihnatko, September 22, 2005 Chicago Sun-Times ...you won't use it because you hate Microsoft or because you don't like tying your whole office's (or your government's) ability to function to the proprietary whims of one single company. Maybe you won't even use it just because it'll cost you $0 to Microsoft Office's $365. You'll use it because OpenOffice 2.0 is an attractive and compelling suite of office apps in its own right.
• Openoffice.org 09.06.05 PCMag.com Unlike the slow, clunky original version, version 2.0 of this free productivity suite is surprisingly slick and highly compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. It even offers features not found in its expensive Microsoft counterpart.
• Openoffice.org 2 - a new, improved version that gives Microsoft a run for its money By Cliff Joseph, 22 Jul 2005 Personal Computer World ...there's no doubt version 2 is more than powerful enough for most home and business users and can certainly give Microsoft a run for its money, especially since it's free.

La verdad yo no sé porqué gobiernos locales, estatales y el federal gastan millones de pesos pagándole licencias de software a Microsoft. Qué decir de universidades, ONGs, pequeñas empresas... No me cansaré de decirlo: OpenOffice no es el futuro, es el presente, y el que sí un gran futuro es el movimiento mundial de software libre.