IBM should get some credit for offering a new product based on Open Office. The plug-in architecture in Eclipse also allows a whole lot of potential for plug-in functionality.

Now IBM is also putting 50-55 full time developers on the OpenOffice.org project. They do see it as an opportunity to getting the Linux Desktop into the enterprise. They are using it internally. The Lotus Symphony project - in Eclipse - also allows them to integrate it with the Lotus Notes 8.0 platform.

It may not be for everyone - but IBM is putting money and resources behind Linux and open source projects.