Old Versions of StarOffice
Date Released: 20 June 2000
File Size: 480.00 MB
Publisher: Sun Microsystems
License: Freeware and Trial
Operation Systems: Linux and Windows
Category: Utilities
Versions: 5.1
Last Updated: June 13, 2025
StarOffice began life as a modest word processor in the mid-1980s and grew into one of the first commercial office suites for Linux and other Unix-like systems. Its journey spans independent innovation, a high-profile acquisition by Sun Microsystems, an open-source transformation, and a lasting impact on today’s free office tools
Star Division, founded in Germany in 1985, launched StarWriter as a standalone word processor. By 1998, it had evolved into StarOffice 5.0, bundling Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, and Base into a cohesive suite. This early incarnation focused on document fidelity, macro scripting, and cross-platform support—features that set it apart from the competition.
In August 1999, Sun Microsystems acquired StarDivision for an estimated $60 million, seeking to bolster its software offerings and strengthen its position in enterprise computing. Sun rebranded the suite as StarOffice, integrated Java-based extensions, and invested heavily in Windows and Linux ports. By offering StarOffice under a modest commercial license, Sun aimed to challenge Microsoft Office’s dominance on both proprietary and open-source desktops.
Take a time machine back to the early 2000s, when Linux desktops sported chunky window borders and command-line prompts ruled. StarOffice for Linux emerged as a commercial powerhouse, promising a full suite of productivity tools that felt right at home on your Red Hat or SUSE box.
Linux users craved an office suite with the polish of Microsoft Office but without the Windows tax. StarOffice answered that call, bringing Writer, Calc, Impress, Base, and Draw to the penguin world. It wasn’t just software; it was a statement that Linux deserved enterprise-grade productivity.
StarOffice for Linux wasn’t perfect—its resource thirst tested early hardware, and edge-case imports required manual fixes. Yet it delivered a professional suite on open-source desktops when alternatives were scarce. For those who braved its installer and waited out the load times, it felt like discovering a hidden gem in your Linux distribution.
