14 DAY TRIAL // OpenOffice, the popular freeware Office suite, is now accessible through your browser, as the developers rolled out a web-based version available to only 15,000 beta testers. Since all you need is a browser, there's no download or installation required to access the web-based OpenOffice. The service is compatible with most browsers on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X, so it shouldn't be a problem to use it. This new flavor of OpenOffice is provided by Ulteo, the company that currently hosts the technology and makes it available to the beta testers.
"Now everyone can use OpenOffice.org, from any connected PC, anytime, anywhere", said Florian Effenberger, Marketing Project Co-Lead of OpenOffice.org. "You even can work together on documents online and collaborate with others. This especially is an interesting option for trainers and workgroups."
As I'm sure you know, OpenOffice has always been regarded as the perfect alternative for the famous Microsoft Office, which is currently the best seller in this category. However, some of the users are not willing to pay for an Office technology, so OpenOffice is the main solution. With a web-based version, OpenOffice will surely make another step in the fight against Microsoft Office, but let's wait a while and see if the freeware technology manages to lure an important segment of users.
"This is an interesting development for people who want to try out OpenOffice.org without having to download and install the software. If you're wondering how OpenOffice.org compares to your current office software, this is a convenient way to see OpenOffice.org in action in a browser on your desktop. Take OpenOffice.org for a test drive today!", said John McCreesh, Marketing Project Lead at OpenOffice.org.
If you want to try the new web-based OpenOffice, go over to this link and create an account. Sure, you have to be among the first 15,000 beta testers, so cross your fingers and click the link above.