OOo Installation Procedure [ stage 3 ]

[1] Before you proceed, make sure that you have downloaded the appropriate installation file from step 2 on the previous page. If you have not downloaded the appropriate installation file, please do so now, and save the file to your Desktop or to another location on your hard drive where you will remember where you put it.

[2] The installation process is really pretty simple. There are roughly 20 slide images (screenshots)on this page, but only because we have decided to walk you through every step of the process. Before you proceed with the installation, please take a few moments to read this page and get a feel for how the installation procedure works. The folks at OOo have made it really easy for you to walk through the installation. Please don't feel overwhelmed. There really is only one place where you've got to deviate from the regular installation procedure in order to install only the Writer application instead of the whole Office Suite -- otherwise the installer walks you through every step of the process. Below, you will find some red colored text that will indicate where to deviate from the norm (if you are only installing Writer). You may wish to read this whole page, and then begin the installation process. You shouldn't really have to refer back to this document if you read through it before installing the software.

[3.a] Navigate to the file you just downloaded (on your Desktop or wherever you saved it on your hard drive) and double click on the file to unpack its contents.

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[3.b] If you have a special place where you would like to unpack the files on your hard drive, feel free to specify the appropriate directory and path; otherwise, the default location that the installer defines is probably just fine (as seen below).

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[4] Once you click unpack, you will see something that looks like the image below. It may take several minutes to unpack the software.

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[5] Now the installation process really begins. At this point, you could click on the Next> button to begin.

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[6] Just like with most any other software application you will ever install, you will have to specify that you agree to their licensing terms. Click the radio button (I accept the terms...) and click the Next> button.

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[7] You will be asked to input your information. I like to specify that the application will be available to "Anyone who uses this computer (all users)" in case someone else is logged into the computer and wishes to use OOo.

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[8] If you wish to install ONLY the Writer application, here is where we slightly deviate from the norm. Specify that this is a CUSTOM installation and click Next>. (Note that if you want to install all of the applications in the Office Suite, select COMPLETE instead of CUSTOM and the full install will take place.)

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[9] You will now see a screen that lists all of the features that will be installed (as viewed in the slide below). Proceed to step [10].

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[10] Here's the important part: Next to each item (Writer, Calc, Base, etc.), there is a box with a down-arrow. Do NOT make any changes to OpenOffice.org Writer. You will want to click the down-arrow next to each item that you do not wish to install and select:
X ~ This feature will not be available.

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[11] You can see in the slide below that the only items that have been disabled are Calc, Draw, Impress, Base, and Math. Don't mess with Program Modules, Writer, or Optional Components. You will want to install those items. Clicking Next> would take you to the next screen. Please Note: disabling the items listed above (also listed in the slide below) will only prevent said items from being installed on your computer. This will save you some hard drive space. However, if do not have any of the Microsoft Office tools and you wish to have a spreadsheet or database application (or any of the others...), you may wish to install some or all of the remaining applications. This decision is completely up to you.

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[12] We are assuming that you are installing the Writer application because you do not own Microsoft Word and you wish to access the State 4-H locked .doc files. If you do not already have Word installed on your computer, please feel free to specify that Writer will be your default application for all Microsoft Word Documents and click Next>. If for some reason you already have Word and you do not wish to make Writer your default editor for .doc files, then do not check the box.

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[13] Now that you have configured the installer appropriately, the application(s) will now be installed to your hard drive in your C:\Program Files area in a directory specific to OpenOffice.org applications. You would click the Install button to proceed at this point. If you had any changes to make for any reason, you would click the Back button.

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[14] The actual installation process will take a little while since there are a lot of files that need to be written to your hard drive. Grab some coffee and come back and perhaps by then the little green bar (as seen below) will be closer to the right side.

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[15] How's your coffee doin'? Ready for a refill?

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[16] Yes! The installation has completed. Click Finish to exit the process.

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[17] Now you are ready to open up Writer, if you wish. If you are using a Windows machine, click on the following menus: Start >> All Programs >> OpenOffice.org2.0 >> OpenOffice.org Writer

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[18] Initially, the very first time you open up Writer, you will have to go through the set-up process -- as you would with just about any other software application.

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[19] Accept the terms and conditions to access the software. Again, this is the only time you will have to go through this set-up process.

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[20] Now enter your name (it can be a false name if you wish; it does not actually have to be your name) and initials, and then click Next>>.

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[21] If you are connected to the Internet, you can choose to register now if you like, later, or specify that you do not wish to register at all. Then click Finish.

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[22] Sha-Zam!!! When you have completed this process, you will have completed your installation and set-up process for OpenOffice.org's Writer application. You can see from the slide below that this tool looks very much like any other word processing tool, and acts very similarly to Microsoft Word. Isn't it great that this software is free? If you are interested in learning more about open source applications, google that phrase and see what you come up with. Have fun!!!

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[23] Now that wasn't so bad. Way to go! Enjoy using Writer!