I got no responses to this thread in the enterprise section and thought I would try it here; after all it is a software issue of sorts.

I've been using OOo lately for my personal needs, but I am still using MS Office 2003 for my small business. I like OOo a lot and find it to be superior to MS office in some regards but what I really need is a productivity suite that offers the same integration as MS office. In particular I need an email client that integrates with my database and spreadsheet software and I need all of those programs and the word processor as well to integrate with a desktop publishing program. OOo is not there yet in that regard (it doesn't even have an email client or a publishing application) and the database program it comes with is pretty dreadful. Can somebody point me to a productivity suite that will give me the integrated functionality I need in order to do business? If I can get that I can rid myself of Microsoft forever.

The email client you're looking for specifically is evolution. Try explaining in more granular detail what kind of integration you're looking for and we might be able to make some suggestions.

For instance, in Windows how is your email integrated into your database and spreadsheets? The default install of office doesn't have the kind of integration you're describing at least in the way I'm reading it.

yeah.. what exactly are you trying to do..... Mail merge ?

Mail merge is about the only thing I can think of that would use the spreasdsheet + email or the database + email..

a clearer explaniation of your actual goals rather than 'integration' would be a good idea in order to get useful assistance.

Sorry for the delay in response. For example:

A client sends meeting information which automatically updates my calendar. I then go to the file menu, which gives me the option to export calendar information. I can then choose which type of file to export to. I always choose Excel, and from there I can send data to access (or a real database like SQL server), word, publisher, or whatever else I please. MS office applications also directly integrate with Adobe's superb (although expensive) applications. What it comes down to is a complete set of apps designed to work together. Publishing software in particular is a necessity for me and openoffice lacks a desktop publishing app entirely.

Don't think I'm knocking OOo for a second; I think it's excellent for the most part. I'm simply describing the integrated functionality I require in order to switch my business machinery over to Linux. I'm kind of in a quandary right now with a need to set up some additional workstations and I do NOT want to have to purchase M$ Office 2007 with it's completely stupid new menu system. Is there something out there, or do I have to wait for OOo to become full-featured?