OpenOffice may have started catering to the Mac with only a handful of features, but its most recent beta version may prove to offer more open-sourced office suite love to Mac users. Its latest version, OpenOffice.org 3 beta, now has some improvements in UI as well as added new functions. More info in the full article.

Come September next year, the Apple scene may be seeing the appearance of an OpenOffice office suite that will work natively with Mac OS X. That is, this new build won't require you to install the Unix windowing software called X11, which has been the source of headaches among Mac users.

This information we're picking is based on a presentation by Eric Bachard, who also noted that September 2008 may see OpenOffice v3.0 getting released. As it stands, OpenOffice most recent build is version 2.3.0. Eric is among the the lead developers of the Mac "Aqua" (the name for the MAC OS X GUI) port of OpenOffice.

At the moment, the most hassle-free OpenOffice port we've picked up is Planamesa Software's NeoOffice. This particular build reportedly works more seamlessly with Aqua since it doesn't require the X11 environment , although at the cost of higher memory usage. The latest build for NeoOffice at this point is v2.2.1, and is based on OpenOffice v2.2.1.

IGN has an article up featuring the ins and outs of working with Yellow Dog on the PS3. Most of the article talks about how to get the OS installed into their console, and since we think it's safe to assume that our readership is already well-informed about that process, we'll skip those parts and we'll relay to you their take on the working with YDL's applications on the PS3.

What's interesting about the post they've got is that they claim that's it's all been generated and posted using YDL.

Basic Use - The interface should be similar to the experience you get when using a Windows or Mac system. The E Shelf (the main user bar) appears by default on the top center of the screens and from there you can various applications.

Networking - The PS3's Ethernet port works without any setup, aside from maybe popping in an IP address if you need to. Wireless is a different issue, however. WiFi isn't automatically detected, and while you can go and manually add a wireless adapter, the OS doesn't try to help and choose which brand it is. So if you aren't all that savvy, it's going to end up a guessing game.

Get the rest of the article after the Jump!

Did Microsoft software got too expensive that even the French government couldn't afford it anymore? Not that they really couldn't, but they are soon switching to open-source software because they're thinking Microsoft stuff is a waste of money.

Beginning June 2007, the French government would require members of parliament and their staff to use desktops and servers running on Linux, Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and OpenOffice.org. The latter is currently in version 2.0.4, and in direct competition to Microsoft Office System.

Given the nature of open-source software, it looks like their government would indeed save some money because of the switch. However, some software research groups are advising that it may prove to be costly as well. "There has been some evidence that companies have to spend a good deal on training and support after you deploy the operating system," explains Chris Swenson, Director of Software Industry Analysis for NPD.

The total cost, Swenson added, would be dependent on which flavor of Linux the French are planning to use. "If you buy your software from a Linux vendor, you obviously have to pay for licenses, support, and maintenance. The average company or organization can probably save some money by switching to Linux, but deploying software from an established Linux vendor certainly isn't free," argues Swenson.

OpenOffice is a popular alternative for Microsoft Office, and can run on multiple platforms. It's an open-source project which is compatible with major office suites and is free for downloading and distribution. (Dontcha just love open-source?) Well, if you're already an OpenOffice user, we got some good news for you.

Next month, OS X users will be able to get a "Mac-native" version of OpenOffice. What's the diff, you say? Well, previous versions of OpenOffice required users to install the X11 Windows System. This graphical interface allows Unix-based applications to run on Macs. But now, the new version of OpenOffice won't require this anymore and will become a "true" Mac application - a native.

This updated build will most likely make its first appearance during the OpenOffice.org Convention in Lyon, France, in mid-September and will also grace the Apple Expo in Paris from September 12 to 16.