Sun is planning a revamped version of its open source office suite. Over 17,000 customers registered to download a beta of StarOffice 6.0, which is set to launch Tuesday. Key features include Asian language support, XML as the default file format, and various enhancements for performance and stability.
Sun is pushing the ability of version 6.0 to load only portions of the suite into memory while performing routine tasks, a feature that will lower utilization of system resources. The open source community has also worked to remove bugs and optimize code.
These improvements, Sun claims, will make StarOffice very attractive to businesses looking to cut costs. Additionally, a new interface -- similar to that of Microsoft"s Office 2000 -- allows for a simple transition.
"In the face of decreasing IT budgets, StarOffice 6.0 provides users a high quality, low-cost choice for office productivity software," said Mike Rogers, Sun"s vice president of Webtop Applications Group, in a statement
The final version of StarOffice 6.0 is slated for a retail release in the first half of 2002. In order to promote quick adoption of 6.0, OEMs will ship the suite with new PCs shortly thereafter. A free download will be available for internal use only, and a full boxed package will sell for roughly $40 USD at major software outlets.