Good free alternative to Microsoft Office?

[XavierRyan]

Is there a good free alternative to Microsoft office, as I cannot be bothered trying to save up and get 2007 or 2010 and I dont want to get one of those bodgy free 2003 downloads on youtube.

I have heard of openoffice which is apparently pretty good.
Would anyone recommend it? Also is there a way that it can be installed without java as i dont want that memory hogging crap on my computer?

thanks