ms/open office

[bucketmouth64]

I would like to buy MS Office or Open Office programs. The Open office is cheaper and it claims to do practically everything MS office does. Wondering if any of you have Open office and would recommend to buy. Any drawbacks? If I go MS Office route the 2003 version is most popular. Would it be better to get the 2003 or go with the 2007 version?

[MN Mike]

You can get Open Office for free, just download it from the web at their site.

I would recommend MS Office 2007 though, get the Students / Home version if you fit the criteria and you only need Word, Excel and Power Point, costs around $100 and you can install it on 3 computers. If you need Publisher and Access you'll have to look at the more costly versions.

I know a few people that started out with Open Office but ended up buying MS Office because Open Office couldn't do the same functions. For most though, compatiblity was the issue, sending files between the 2 programs is a pain.

If your going to keep the files to yourself, Open Office should treat you pretty good.

Mike

[pulsar_nx]

MS is easier to use. The few times that I've tried to use open office I ran into snags. Another free route is Google docs, it's all done online though. So that may be a problem.

[Ralph Wiggum]

If you know any college students, they can usually get MS Office for next to nothing from the school's IT department.

[Sandmannd]

I've used Open Office and it works fine. You can't beet the price as it's free.

I prefer to use MS Office, but there is a price to use Microsoft Products. To me it's worth it, you can do a little more with them and it's what I'm familiar with.

[opsirc]

You can get Open Office for free, just download it from the web at their site.

I would recommend MS Office 2007 though, get the Students / Home version if you fit the criteria and you only need Word, Excel and Power Point, costs around $100 and you can install it on 3 computers. If you need Publisher and Access you'll have to look at the more costly versions.

I know a few people that started out with Open Office but ended up buying MS Office because Open Office couldn't do the same functions. For most though, compatiblity was the issue, sending files between the 2 programs is a pain.

defenitly go with the 07 version, make things easyier in the long run.

If your going to keep the files to yourself, Open Office should treat you pretty good.

Mike

[pulsar_nx]

At times MS offers office to students an online download from their web site at an increased discount.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

You can find MS Office on [YouNeedAuthorization], but it might be pirated.

[bucketmouth64]

I think I'll try the open office for now just because I'm unemployed. Taking some classes on word, excel, so I wanted a program that looks similar which open office does. If and when I want to buy the MS version I'll look into an auction site. Thanks for the info!