The beta of the next version of Sun Microsystems' StarOffice office suite will be available for download later this week, the company has said.

Sun is showcasing the software, along with its Sun Java Desktop System Release 3, at the LinuxWorld show in Boston.

The vendor said that StarOffice 8 Beta features enhanced interoperability with Microsoft Office software and an improved "look and feel".

Sun indicated that it wants to remove any barriers for users who want to move away from a Windows environment by reducing migration and training costs. Pricing for StarOffice 8 will be announced in June or July.

The Sun Java Desktop System Release 3, which Sun said is the first complete enterprise Linux desktop environment, will deliver improved device support and interoperability functions, the firm said.

StarOffice 8 Beta will be available for public download from 17 February here.

"Sun encourages open source developers and customers to download the beta version, and general availability is expected by mid-year 2005," the company said.