Replacing Microsoft Office
I have heard many complaints from friends and family about the cost of Microsoft’s office suite. Some of them cannot do without the actual Microsoft licensed product, but other just need a word processor and a spreadsheet program (word and excel). For those people who are not high powered users I always suggest using open office.
Open office is a FREE (my favorite word) office suite. It will open any Microsoft Office document and allow you to save in the same format as the office suite. I have used the program extensively and have been very impressed with its processing power and ability to do everything that Microsoft’s suite can. It includes a word processor (word), spreadsheet (excel), presentation software (power point), graphics, and database (access). The one really nice feature is that it is all one program so it is very well integrated between the different parts. Overall this is a Saving Freakk 5 star software for useability and price
June 5th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I recommend OpenOffice to many of my clients, as well. One caveat, though: make sure that any file (for example, a word processing document) is saved as the appropriate Microsoft Office extension or someone with Microsoft Office will be unable to open it (.doc for Word, .xls for Excel, .ppt for PowerPoint).
June 5th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
If you work for the state of NC you can get a discounted version (for as long as you work for them) for $15. I have Onenote, Excel, Word, etc. and paid $15 (full version).