BRUMM  After a very slow start it is very fast,

it's the better product, I trashed OpenOffice Aqua  
(Version 2.2.5p2)

OPETER  I did try the new OpenOffice 3.0 Auqa (the final version), but it is so slooow, compared to NeoOffice 2.2.5p2 on my Mac mini C2D 1,83 GHz with 4 GB RAM (!), that there is no chance, that i will switch from NeoOffice to OO.org 3.0.

I mean, the responsivenes of opening up a Word document (DOC), the scrolling of pages... OO.org Auqa is simply unbelivalbe slow.

Respect to developers, but I am staying with NeoOffice.  
(Version 2.2.5p2)

MSWFUJOWDFFYC  This is such a good program and getting better all the time. It took a while to hit its stride, but now it seems to be mature enough that they're adding lots of interesting features to the suite instead of simply trying to make it work properly. There really is no reason not to keep a copy lying around, whether or not you have another productivity suite.

If you don't have any office software already, this is the place to start. NeoOffice is free, it runs great, it's very compatible, and it's learning new Mac-native tricks with every patch. It's far easier to install and use than OpenOffice for X11, more mature and stable than OpenOffice Aqua, and more feature-rich than most of the other independent word-processor products.

And even if you have Microsoft Office or iWork (or something else), it's still worth keeping an eye on, and maybe keeping it around for some of the things your regular suite can't do (or can't do as well or as easily). Sort of like keeping two browsers around. You can (legally) hand it out to people if you're getting complaints about these new-fangled docx, xlsx and pptx files you're sending people, or to give your students or your friends/relatives who are on a budget.  
(Version 2.2.3 patch 6)

SPARTAN  Best word processor imho, plus it is open and free. Very fast with an Intel CPU, and pretty good on a PPC. Reliable and really easy to use. 5/5

Many thanks for this OS X port.  
(Version 2.2.5p5)

QUICKBEN  Now that Open Office is out for MacOS, I think I'll switch to it--not. The guys at Neo have been plugging along for a while and have a great program. No reason at all to switch that I can think of. Plus, I sent them a donation for their fine work, so I'm an investor. :)  
(Version 2.2.5p2)

SAMPLER  OS X 10.4.11 PB G4

I've used the Writer, Spreadsheet, and Data Base modules, and all have been solid. I find Writer very fast, even with relatively large documents (~5 MB, footnotes, illustrations, many tables). Conversion to and from rtf has been excellent. The only difficult that I encountered was that the page numbers in the Table of Contents (created in Word, saved as rtf)did not transfer. However I let Writer re-index the document and it created all of the TOC except where the TOC Bookmark was missing in the original.

In contrast, OpenOffice RC3 for Aqua crashed as I was closing three open windows of small documents.  
(Version 2.2.5p1)

RATTUS  I'm a student currently trying to wean myself off MS Office by running NeoOffice and the Aqua beta of OpenOffice.

I must say, I'm pleased with Neo: it seems more stable (both MS and Open have wigged out on me) and the little touches like nice menu and file icons are cool.

I hope NeoOffice keeps updating once OpenOffice Aqua comes out of beta. I think it will be a similar situation as it is with Firefox and Camino. The multiplatform version is great but the mac-specific version is nicer :-)  
(Version 2.2.3 patch 3)

OPETER  NeoOffice website is down (I think because they cannot pay for the domain and webspace, thats why they are asking for donation).

In the meantime, here is a website, where you can download NeoOffice:

ftp://ftp.uio.no/pub/neooffice/

Please consider to donate some money to the team of NeoOffice.  
(Version 3.0 patch 7)

EIRESURG  Excellent software. Don't buy Office or whatever they have for Mac. This is opensource and offers software that basically does what Excel, Word and Powerpoint do. In fact, you can make xls, ppt and doc files that you can transfer and use on Microsoft-based computers. Great stuff!

My ONLY criticism is that it is slow to load. That is why I give it a 4/5.  
(Version 3.0 patch 4)

RS2RUSS   Despite being a great fan of Claris/AppleWorks/iWorks, this is my preferred DTP package now, simply because almost everyone I esned stuff to/ recieve from uses Micro$oft Word and iWorks is not totally compatible.

I have tried OpenOffice several times (even donated once!) but it is too slow (even on my 2.5 GHz CoreDuo MacBookPro, never mind my older machines!). I was reticent about NeoOffice, being based on that pile of molasses, but it seems as fast as iWorks to me and the compatibility is a clincher.

I have deleted M$ bloatware and iWorks from my hard-drive because NeoOffice can do it all - fantastic work guys, donation inbound!  
(Version 2.2.5p7)