Apache OpenOffice 3.4 Makes Official Debut; LibreOffice Makes its Case

As expected, the first version of OpenOffice under new management — the Apache Software Foundation — has been released. Apache OpenOffice 3.4, which had been in incubation since Oracle donated the code to the ASF mid last year, offers improved performance and a number of new features and enhancements and is available on Windows, MacIntosh and Linux and in 15 languages as of yesterday.

The list of new bells and whistles — such as improved ODF support, including new ODF 1.2 encryption option, new spreadsheet functions, an enhanced pivot table support in Calc and enhanced graphics — is welcome news. But for the Apache Software Foundation — and for long term supporters of the open source Office suite — this next stage of development , free from vendor control — offers its best chance to date to attract more users and backers.