There's nothing wrong with software installations except that not all computers will have the software that you need.  So let's say you're travelling, you went into an Internet cafe, and you want to view your Excel spreadsheet but no Microsoft Excel was installed - what do you do?  You may transfer from one cafe to another until you can find a computer that has Microsoft Excel installed on it.  Or you can use Portable Open Office if you like.

Portableapps.com has released Portable OpenOffice.org, a repackaged version of OpenOffice.org designed with portability in mind. It works just like a regular OpenOffice.org installed on your computer does, except it allows you to use it on any Windows computer without installing anything. It has all the features of the OpenOffice.org office suite except for the Data application. It also includes some special enhancements to make it work even better from your portable drive.  It is also compatible with Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, Lotus and other office applications and it complies with the OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) OpenDocument format.

A portable application is a computer program that you can carry around with you on a portable device and use on any Windows computer. When your USB thumbdrive, portable hard drive, iPod or other portable device is plugged in, you have access to your software and personal data just as you would on your own PC. The beauty of it is you can use the application without the need of installing it.  And when you unplug the device, none of your personal data is left behind.

Portable OpenOffice.org will allow you to carry an entire office suite namely:

1.  Word Processor (WRITER) - use it for anything from writing quick letters or business letters, books, brochures, newsletters etc. with embedded illustrations, cross-references, tables of contents, indexes, bibliographies, auto-complete, auto-format, and real-time spelling check make light work of the hardest task.

2.  Spreadsheet (CALC) - this spreadsheet program has all the tools you need to calculate, analyze, summarize, and present your data in numerical reports or creating graphics like 2-D and 3-D charts including line, area, column, pie, XY, stock and other variants.

3.  Presentation (IMPRESS) - use this to create effective multimedia presentations.  You can create your presentations with special effects, animation and high-impact drawing tools.

4.  Drawing package (DRAW) - to produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations and special effects.

5.  Database (BASE) - to manipulate database data.  Create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports, either using your own database or Base's own built-in HSQL database engine.

While the idea of having your entire office suite right under your pocket is cool, the program takes up 144MB of storage space.  Considering that most USB thumbdrives only store 256MB, 144MB will automatically take half of my thumbdrive space.

Rather than offering it as a whole package, I would prefer that Portableapps.com would offer an option to download Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw and Base as individual programs.  Some may just need the word processor; some may need just the spreadsheet or the presentation application.  This will give a user with 256MB thumbdrive more space to store their files.

The move towards offering software application as a service and be accessible online is happening.  Very soon, you can use your favorite application online.  But what if you don't have any access to the Internet?  Portable OpenOffice is the perfect solution.  You can download it for free at: http://portableapps.com/

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