I just installed release candidate 1.1 of OpenOffice.org. All I can say is - wow.
The first thing you notice is the speed. The startup time has been dramatically reduced (and I haven't got the 'quick start' program loaded). The whole package is much more snappy and responsive.
There are a ton of fantastic new features, too many to list here. The new 1.1 features page has all the details.
Some of the more notable are: exporting files directly to PDF, and exporting slideshows to SWF (Flash); export to DocBook and XML; Macro recorder; and improved filters for Office files.
Some of my pet peeves have been adressed: the main one was that in 1.0 it was not possible to have a 'blank' instance open, and that once you closed the last file, all instances would close. You would then pay the startup cost if you wanted to load another, so closing then opening files was not practical. Now you can close the last file and you are left with a blank window, from where you can still set options and other things. This, combined with the performance improvements, makes a huge usability difference.
If you don't already run it, OpenOffice is now a serious contenter. Check it out!
OO - new meaning
I am hoping 1.1 is so good that the second 'O' can stand for orifice ie. it gets the nerd-girls primed when I use it so sexy in front of them.
DLS