Have you tried Pages? (comes with iWork)
If you're having trouble with neooffice chances are you'll have the same issues with open office. OO.org really isn't all that great.
If you want something good for making outlines or taking notes I'd suggest
http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnioutliner/ It may have come with your Mac. It came with my old iMac and my MBP but not my new iMac for some reason...