The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group The StarOffice Literature Major Keary |
Sun Microsystems Press, a joint venture with Prentice Hall, publishes titles
that cover both StarOffice and OpenOffice. The source code for StarOffice is
released to the OpenOffice Project, and developments in OpenOffice are taken up
in StarOffice. It works very well. Some code is used under licence - the Adabas
module and some filters - and cannot be used in OpenOffice, but the differences
are offset by having available a free package that measures up in all respects
to expensive products from other vendors.
StarOffice Companion
Even though StarOffice comes with a hard-copy manual of high quality, the
reality is that user manuals can't be expected to cover every nook and cranny of
an application. Sun's StarOffice 6.0 Office Suite Companion contains over a
thousand pages of tutorials and reference material. There are differences
between versions 6.0 and 7.0, but the differences do not substantially affect
the usefulness of this title for StarOffice 7 users.
The book provides excellent tutorials that cater for novices through to advanced
users. Apart from the word processor and spreadsheet modules, there is detailed
information about the presentation program including how to import data from
other modules of the suite, how to set up automatic timing of presentations, and
how to create an HTML version of a presentation.
The draw/image-editing program contains several powerful tools that enable
creation of 3-D images, application of text effects, technical drawing, and
image editing (with a range of effect-filters). A part of the book describes in
detail - using a tutorial style supported by good illustrations - how to use the
various elements of the graphics module.
Another four-chapter part of the book deals with stored data fields, data
sources, and forms. It contains a thorough discussion of database issues as well
as tutorials that are, in their own right, a sound introduction to practical
database technology.
This is a well-presented text with excellent graphics (thanks to the quality of
the paper used). It will take new users - even those with no experience of an
'office suite' - through to advanced topics, and serve as an ongoing reference.
A copy has been placed in the library.
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Haugland and Jones: StarOffice 6.0 Office Suite Companion ISBN 0-13-038473-9 Published by Prentice Hall, 1031 pp., RRP $59.95 incl. GST |
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Using StarOffice
An even larger book, Using StarOffice 6.0, is part of an ongoing StarOffice
series from QUE. Its audience is intermediate-to-advanced users and assumes some
familiarity with 'office suite' packages. Readers need to be aware of some
differences between versions six and seven of StarOffice, but for the purpose of
using the core modules this title is fully relevant.
StarOffice Basic is the language used for recording macros and automating
workflow. Two chapters provide a very good and comprehensive coverage. The StarOffice CD contains a 219-page manual in PDF and which covers the current
version of StarOffice's programming language. There have been some changes, but
for an in-depth coverage the QUE text is an invaluable guide for anyone with a
serious interest in workflow automation.
The discussion of database issues is also detailed, and deals with advanced
topics such as using SQL to design queries.
Apart from explaining how to use the various modules of StarOffice, there is
plenty of practical advice and information about how to get the best results.
That ranges over topics such as design and document layout considerations,
transferring information between programs, formulas for spreadsheets, and
working with tables and charts. There are also useful troubleshooting sections
for each module.
This is a remarkably detailed guide-cum-reference that should satisfy the needs
of novices through to power users. Even though the `user level' is classified as
`intermediate/advanced', its clear language should make it useful for novices.
Users who want to migrate from Microsoft Office will find it especially useful.
Good value.
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Michael Koch: Special Edition Using StarOffice 6.0 ISBN 0-7897-2838-8 Published by QUE, 1152 pp., RRP $84.95 incl. GST |
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Reprinted from the July 2004 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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