I downloaded and installed Open Office a while ago. I should mention that I download and install programs all of the time. Usually I use them once or twice, then forget about them.
With Open Office (OO), my experience has been the opposite. I haven’t opened Word since the installation of OO. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Microsoft basher. I use all sorts of their products, and have no beef about them.
However, that being said, Open Office kicks the tail off Microsoft Office. I’ve been using it for about a month and have had nary a problem.
I’ve been meaning to write up a nice comparison of the two systems, but Matt13 beat me to it. I heartily recommend OO (the beta version) to anybody who doesn’t want to shell out the hundred or so bucks to Gates. It’s a very slick program.