LibreOffice 3.4.4 is available for download as an improved version of the award-winning open source office suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The Document Foundation has just announced this release, which brings fixes, localization work, and updated features for users of LibreOffice.
The Document Foundation has just announced the availability of LibreOffice 3.4.4, an improved version of the award-winning office suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux. LibreOffice recently won the InfoWorld BOSSIE 2011 Award for Best Open Source Program, as well as the Open World Forum's Most Popular Software Experience Award.
LibreOffice 3.4.4 is available for immediate download from the following link: Download LibreOffice for Free.
LibreOffice 3.4.4 bug fixes and maintenance update
LibreOffice 3.4.4 is here to address some of the most significant bugs reported by users in previous versions. The fixes include issues found in the Calc, Impress, Writer, SDK libraries, and in the core libraries of LibreOffice.
These fixes concern several parts of the office suite. Writer is used for text documents, Calc for spreadsheets, and Impress for presentations. The mention of SDK libraries and core libraries also indicates that this release includes corrections below the user interface, in components used by LibreOffice itself.
LibreOffice 3.4.4 is quite identical to Release Candidate 2, but users should upgrade even if they have installed the latest development version.
Localization and language support in LibreOffice 3.4.4
"Thanks to the contribution of Michael Bauer, a volunteer who has taken over the long-abandoned Scottish Gaelic translation and produced a complete localization of the user interface, LibreOffice 3.4.4 adds yet another native language version. 105."
"This demonstrates the unparalleled value of copyleft licenses for end-user software, with LibreOffice now being the most significant office suite for preserving cultural heritage worldwide, especially when the number of native speakers is not appealing enough for major companies to allocate localization resources." - said Andras Timar, localization manager for LibreOffice at SUSE.
This localization work means that the LibreOffice user interface can be used in another native language version. For users, a localized interface makes menus, commands, and dialog boxes easier to understand when working with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Java note for Linux users
Please note that there are known issues with the LibreOffice 3.4.4 office suite when using GCJ (GNU Compiler for Java) Java. Instead, Linux users should install and use OpenJDK.
This note applies to Linux users who rely on Java with LibreOffice 3.4.4. The article specifically mentions known issues with GCJ Java and indicates OpenJDK as the Java option to use instead.
What's New in LibreOffice 3.4.4
What's New in LibreOffice 3.4.4:
- Ability to work with and import SVG files;
- Import filter for Lotus Word Pro documents;
- Import filter for Microsoft Works documents;
- Easily format title pages and numbering in LibreOffice Writer;
- Enhanced Navigator tool in LibreOffice Writer;
- Improved ergonomics for managing cells and sheets in LibreOffice Calc;
- Support for PDF import;
- Slideshow presentation console;
- Better report builder;
- Comes with many great extensions.
The SVG import feature helps users work with vector image files inside the office suite. The import filters for Lotus Word Pro and Microsoft Works documents are useful when opening documents created with those applications.
In LibreOffice Writer, the formatting of title pages and numbering is designed for text documents that need structured pages, such as reports or long documents. The enhanced Navigator tool helps users move through document elements more easily.
In LibreOffice Calc, the improved ergonomics for managing cells and sheets relate to spreadsheet work. This is useful when organizing data across several sheets or changing cells during daily spreadsheet editing.
Support for PDF import allows users to bring PDF content into LibreOffice. The slideshow presentation console is related to presentation work in Impress. The better report builder is useful for creating reports, and the extensions mentioned in this release can add extra capabilities to the office suite.
LibreOffice 3.4.4 feature summary
| Area | Feature or update mentioned | Use in LibreOffice 3.4.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Writer | Title pages, numbering, enhanced Navigator | Helps create and manage structured text documents. |
| Calc | Improved ergonomics for cells and sheets | Helps manage spreadsheet cells and worksheets. |
| Impress | Slideshow presentation console | Supports presentation delivery. |
| File import | SVG, PDF, Lotus Word Pro, Microsoft Works | Helps open or import several document and file formats. |
| Reports | Better report builder | Helps create reports within the office suite. |
| Extensions | Many great extensions | Adds extra capabilities to LibreOffice. |
Production use and next maintenance release
LibreOffice 3.4.4 can be safely deployed for production use in all enterprises. LibreOffice has also won the BOSSIE award from InfoWorld 2011 as the best Open Source software and the Open World Forum Experiment award for the most popular software.
As usual, LibreOffice 3.4.4 also contains non-critical issues, which will be addressed in the next maintenance release. LibreOffice 3.4.5 will be available for download in February 2012.
FAQ about LibreOffice 3.4.4
What is LibreOffice 3.4.4?
LibreOffice 3.4.4 is an improved version of the LibreOffice open source office suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It includes bug fixes and the features mentioned in this release.
Where can LibreOffice 3.4.4 be downloaded?
LibreOffice 3.4.4 is available for immediate download from the link already provided in this article: Download LibreOffice for Free.
Which LibreOffice components are mentioned in the fixes?
The article mentions fixes in Calc, Impress, Writer, SDK libraries, and the core libraries of LibreOffice.
Does LibreOffice 3.4.4 support PDF import?
Yes. Support for PDF import is listed among the new features in LibreOffice 3.4.4.
What should Linux users know about Java with LibreOffice 3.4.4?
The article notes known issues when using GCJ Java with LibreOffice 3.4.4. Linux users should install and use OpenJDK instead.
Conclusion
LibreOffice 3.4.4 is a maintenance and feature update for the LibreOffice office suite on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It keeps the existing focus on Writer, Calc, Impress, import filters, PDF import, localization, extensions, and bug fixes while providing an official download option for users who want this version.
