I have recently loaded ubuntu 7.1 which contains Open Office 2.2. I have downloaded the latest Linux version of Open Office but when I try to import it into ubuntu I get the message that it does not support 'rpm' files.

Can anyone assit as I understand there is a program that can be downloaded to make OO compatible.

Thanks

Alan

first, it is always best to use the package manager to install SW--Synaptic or Adept on Ubuntu.

RPM packages can be installed on Ubuntu using "alien". First, unpack the archive (I typically do this in /opt)--this will create a bunch of files ending in .rpm. Then--in that folder:
delete any non-relevant files--eg things unique to Gnome, if you use KDE
alien -d -i *.rpm

(You may need to first install alien (using the package manager))

Not always.

Repository-based installation methods only allow you to install the particular packages that happen to be in the repository. This obviously means that if the package you want to install is not in the reposiotory then you have to use some other method to install it.

Another issue (particularly with OpenOffice.org) is that the versions found in distro repositories may be different to the official version in any number of unspecified ways, and their releases dates lag behind the official version. I know in particular that the Ubuntu version has a number of bugs that are not in the official release.

Either wait for the new version to make it into the Ubuntu repositories, or download a .deb not a .rpm.