Tags: Linux, Microsoft

Sun preparing to launch next version of StarOffice

While Microsoft just launched their upgraded collaboration utilities and acquired Groove Networks to expand their network, Sun is busy working on their StarOffice application, which they plan to release in a totally new version 8 in the coming months. Their plan is to ship StarOffice 8 by the end of August of the current year. Some of the expected features of this upcoming version include support for languages like Russian, Polish, and Dutch versions within one year of the launch of the application.

Sun’s rival to the Microsoft’s Office suit of applications is already available with support in 11 languages. Adding these new languages will give the company more punch to take the software giant heads on. A beta version of this version 8 is already out which Sun launched during the LinuxWorld event in Boston last month.

The update would also come with an enhanced interface to improve the usability of the application along with better interoperability with the latest versions of Microsoft Office. Michael Bemmer, director of software engineering for StarOffice at Sun said in a statement: “Ease of use is one of our main topics, lowering the training costs for new users and easing the migration”.

This updated release would replace StarOffice 7 as the Sun’s primary office suite product. Sun have sold more than 40 million StarOffice licenses ever since they acquired the original developing company Star Division in 1999. It is primarily based on OpenOffice.org, which is an Open Source Office Productivity Suite.