A new version of the OpenOffice (open source) 3.0.1 package has been released and can now be downloaded in Osor.eu; an EU open source portal. 

This is the first Finnish project published in the Osor.eu portal. That open source package for central and local government agencies was published by the Ministry of Finance and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. On 6 March 2009, the Government endorsed a position paper to boost the development of the IT society and eServices. The use of open source code will contribute to implementing this goal set by the Finnish Government.

OpenOffice 3.0.1 package, more precisely, enables the citizens and the authorities to transfer documents using non commercial software. OpenOffice is an open source software programme that supports the creation of documents according to the international Open Document Format (ODF) standard. That package comprises a ready-to-use software programme in Finnish and a wide variety of additional elements, instructions issued by the Ministry of Justice and manuals on the use of the programme as well as document templates based on SFS document standards. OpenOffice also includes a portable version, which can be used with a memory stick; therefore, the user does not need to install it in a workstation.

Thanks to that OpenOffice package, the authorities in central and local government will easier receive and handle documents in ODF format and the citizens, in their turn, will easier communicate with the authorities, as stipulated in the legislation on electronic services and communication.

Background information:

• Osor, which stands for Open Source Observatory and Repository, is a project under the EU's Interoperable Delivery of European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens (IDABC) programme. The purpose of the project is to enable everyone in Europe to access all software created using public funds.
• Electronic Services and Communication (ODF, ISOC/IEC 26300) is an open document format standard used to store office application documents, such as documents in text, spreadsheet, diagram and graphic format.

Further information:

• Official press release -  Website of the Ministry of Finance
• Official website of Osor.eu - Open Office 3.0.1 package