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Small business owners and freelancers typically have a need for word processing, spreadsheet, or presentation software -- and sometimes all three. Commercial software collections like Microsoft Office and Apple iWork are useful but pricey. Fortunately, OpenOffice.org is a great, and free, alternative.

Once you begin using OO.o, you'll find there's lots of things this handy suite of apps can do besides just create a letter. Let's have a look at how to make OpenOffice work for you.

• Make cool letterhead with this detailed tutorial from LXer. Sure, you can use a ready-made template, but adding a unique look to your stationery is a great way to brand your business with whateer artwork you choose or create.

• If you want to do a mass mailing to clients or potential customers, OpenOffice.org makes it easy with its mail merge and label functions.

• Need business cards? OpenOffice has a business card template built right into it's word processing app. All you need is some card stock and a printer.

• When you're ready to add more functionality to OpenOffice, you'll find a whole host of extensions that let you do everything from create educational flash cards to manage clip art.

• If you still can't decide whether to make the switch to OpenOffice, be sure to read what power user Solveig Haugland has to say. She offers dozens of reasons why OpenOffice is the best word processing suite available and also how to tweak the settings to make the apps work best for you. If you're a long-time MS Office user making the switch, CNet's Dennis O'Reilly has some great tips for a smooth transition.

• If you're already using OpenOffice, be sure you have the latest version: OpenOffice.org 2.4. It features improvements to the chart module, adds 3D slide transitions to Impress, enhances PDF functionality, and more.

Tell us about how you use OpenOffice.org in your home office.

• openoffice.org
• home office
• home business