December 13, 2006 9:55 AM PST
OpenOffice gets pre-load, update notification
Programmers released OpenOffice.org 2.1 on Tuesday. The version that a feature for Linux machines called Quickstarter, which preloads the office suite into memory so it launches faster when a user chooses to run it. (The typical penalty with such approaches is that the preloading process adds more time to the computer start-up process and consumes some resources while the computer is running.)
In addition, the new version includes an improved notification system that alerts users to new versions of the software. Other changes include better HTML export from the Calc spreadsheet software and improved support for Microsoft Access in the Base personal database program, according to project organizers.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
