OpenOffice and MS Word-10: A Publisher's Comparisons

Since its inception, the Windows operating system has risen to major dominance, and with that a certain arrogance. Because of this dominance, the .doc format is the word file those in the writing/publishing profession use. Despite Microsoft introducing more modern versions, .doc is still the version of choice. That said, earlier this year I purchased Word-10, an upgrade from Word-7. Frankly, Word-10 has some nice, easy-to-use features. To keep up with OpenOffice/Libre, MS has attempted to add features found in that word processing program. It is a good start, but some of these offerings are weak.

1.      An add-on to OpenOffice connects to the Internet to check a word in a dictionary, thesaurus, on the Internet, or encyclopedia. The program is easily customizable. In place of the dictionary/thesaurus in the initial program, I substituted Roget’s. The definitions and alternative words are much more comprehensive, although it has some weak points I can live with.

a.       MS Word-10 offers a nice dictionary (Encarta), abbreviated, but okay.

b.      The MS Word thesaurus is less than abbreviated and really worthless.

2.      The grammar check in OpenOffice is sorely wanting.

a.       Grammar check in Word has come a long ways and in Word-10 is quite good. It still has some interesting suggestions, but hey, one needs a chuckle now and then.

3.      The OpenOffice add-on allows you to connect to whichever search engine you like, again by a simple customization if you don’t like what is already there.

a.       MS Word-10 only connects to Bing. Given a couple more years, it may be up to the level of Google and Yahoo. Word does provide an opportunity to add your favorite search engine, but darn if I can get it to accept anything other than Bing, which makes this a Bong. (I apologize, but the devil made me say that.)

4.      OpenOffice allows the user to define where backup copies are stored. Backups are for peace of mind, therefore typically stored on hard drives other than where the original is located.

a.       MS Word (all versions) make a backup copy and plop it right next to the original. Lose one lose all.

b.      The only way around this is to use a cloud computer or purchase a hard drive specially programed to make backups.

5.      PDF is offered in OpenOffice and Word. In the publishing industry, most POD (print on demand) processes use a PDF from which to build the publication. And here is where Word and yours truly recently butt heads. I now share with you the correspondence between MS Word technicians and myself in an attempt to resolve the issue that I may continue using Word-10 in the final editing step.

10.5.2011 (To MS)

After exporting a manuscript in PDF/A for printing, I find that the .PNG photos are saved with a black background instead of being transparent as designed. I am not having this issue with the OpenOffice PDF conversion. Am I missing where to setup PDF in Word to accept the .PNG as saved?

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10.5.2011  (From MS)

It would be much easier to convert your PNGs to JPGs, no? PNGs are notorious for this issue everywhere.

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10.5.2011  (To MS)

No, a JPG will not produce the same effect. It will insert the background which was deliberately removed. And no, PNG is not notorious for this issue everywhere. In ten years, this is the first program this has happened in. After discussing this with our SysAdmin, the problem appears to be a setting in MS Word's PDF program, or if you will, a bug. It would be much more convenient to save directly from Word, but as it stands, the document must be moved to another word processor for a useable PDF conversion.

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10.6.2011  (From MS)

The PDF function in Word is only a rudimentary offering and it does not handle PNG graphics well. It will not for example handle transparency in PNG format. A simple answer is to install and use PrimoPDF. The free version will handle such graphics well, and retain transparency.

A more expensive solution is to use Adobe Acrobat

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10.6.2011

Thank you for your explanation. There are a number of improvements I like about Word-10, however the ability to produce a PDF is extremely important as book printers and electronic distributions require them. In this, Word-10 is not an acceptable software. Which raises the question, if you know this PDF is "a rudimentary offering", why was a less desirable program included in the distribution over the one you recommend?

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It should come as no surprise, MS has not replied. Maybe someday. The PrimoPDF has been installed and so far, produces the expected results. It works from the printer option which is convenient.