Moving all of your apps and information in the cloud has been adopted by a great number of people. However, there are also a large number who still prefer having a desktop application. Pretty much everyone like free.
I am typically use Google Docs for my word processing and spreadsheets, but do on occasion tinker with OpenOffice. I tend to use OpenOffice if I am on my netbook and not connected to the internet. I can use the word processor to write and not be tempted to go on Twitter or use Stumbleupon to find random sites.
At first, I didn’t realize you could use extensions; once I found that out, I was hooked. One of my favorites was covered in a previous post about OpenOffice extensions. It allows you to import, export and update documents you create in OpenOffice with Google Docs and other cloud office apps.
Below are several more extensions to help you tailor this opensource app to the way you use it.
1. MultiCloud File Manager
If you use an cloud storage provider like Amazon S3 or Mobile Me (among others), this is a must have. Access and save your files offsite incase of a hard drive disaster. Here is a link to their quick walk through video http://goo.gl/SV8h.
2. CropOOo
If you use Draw or Impress, you know cropping isn’t always the easiest thing to do. This extension helps cure that dilemma.
3. Compose Special Characters
When using Writer and Calc, you can type a few characters and use a keyboard shortcut to transform normal characters to special characters. This can save you having to look them up or remember the what the unicode value is.
If you already have those values memorized, you can use them with this extension as well.
4. Professional Template Pack II – English
This is a great pack of templates to get you going. It offers event posters, business cards, letters, invoices, projest planning and business correspondences. It is a great starting point to get your document headed in the right direction.
5. History Manager
This extension is not essential, but offers a the convenience of seeing more of your recently used documents. Super handy of you are working on lots of projects simultaneously.
6. Screenwright(R) screenplay formatting template
If you have aspirations of being a screen writer, you will want every advantage you can get. By adding this extension that formats your film script to industry standards, you can concentrate on your work.
7. OpenCards
One way to remember something is through repetition. Using flashcards is a common practice to help memorize things. OpenCards makes it easy to create flashcards as well as rank how you did.
8. Sun PDF Import Extension
Import and modify PDF documents for free, enough said.
9. Web2.0 OpenOffice.org collaboration & document management extension
Collaborating on documents can be a huge time saver. Giving multiple people access to edit a single file not only saves you from having a ton of emails, it also makes it easier to keep track of the most recent version of the document. The community license allows up to 5 users to use this service for free. If you have more collaborators, you will need one of the paid versions.
More info can be found at o3spaces.com
Leave a comment with your “must have” OpenOffice extensions.
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