OpenOffice.org Training Services

Archive page. In 2004 and 2005 this address was the website of the OpenOffice.org Southern Africa community. The page is kept for reference and describes that period, not current software. Forms, e-mail addresses and phone numbers have been removed. openoffice.org.za is now an independent publication and is not the OpenOffice project.

As with any application, the best way to increase efficient use of OpenOffice.org is to ensure that users have sufficient training. This section provides some information regarding training providers and materials for use by training organisations and end users.

Training Material

OpenOffice.org training material in the form of books and workbooks for can be obtained from a number of sources including Amazon.com and Kalahari.net. Titles of interest include:

• OOoSwitch: 501 - Amazon
• OpenOffice.org for Dummies - Kalahari - Amazon
• SAMS Teach Yourself OpenOffice.org - Kalahari - Amazon
• OpenOffice.org Writer: The Free Alternative to Microsoft Word - Kalahari - Amazon
• OpenOffice.org Macros Explained - Kalahari - Amazon
• OpenOffice.org 1.1 Resource Kit - Kalahari - Amazon

If you are looking for, or offer formalised training material, please contact Craig Adams or visit the Education project under "Local Projects" above.

Sample Material

We have four introductory training presentations available in Macromedia Flash format kindly provided by Digital Distribution.

• OpenOffice.org Writer First Steps (OpenOffice.org 1.0)
• OpenOffice.org - Getting to know Writer, Part 1 (OpenOffice.org 1.1)
• OpenOffice.org Calc First Steps (OpenOffice.org 1.0)
• OpenOffice.org Impress First Steps (OpenOffice.org 1.0)

We also have the free edition of Solveig Haugland's OpenOffice.org Essentials training manual.

Certification

Whilst there are currently no official certifications available specifically for OpenOffice.org, the suite can be used to qualify for the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). All ICDL centres in South Africa have access to Open Source training materials and examinations, which incorporate components of OpenOffice.org into the curriculum.

Sun Microsystems offers formalised training and certification for StarOffice. Due to the fact that StarOffice is based upon OpenOffice.org, Sun's training and certification is relevant to the OpenOffice.org user.