Free Microsoft Office Alternatives?

[Chu Gai]

I know there are a few out there like open office but has there been any recent comprehensive review of the alternatives with respect to compatability, stability, etc? Whatever there is it would have to include their version of Access.

 

[Warpdrv]

Google Docs...?

I don't really know much about it, just know they have it.
I still run MS office - as it is plenty powerful for my needs as a business owner....

 

[emorphien]

I've used OpenOffice in the past and can't really recommend it based on my experiences with it. Perhaps it has gotten better but I haven't really tried it again.

Depending on your needs Google Docs is quite useful. I've been using it more and more lately but for real work I do still go back to MS Office myself.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well, as other already said :
Google Docs or Open Office
I'd pick the prior rather than the latter

 

[krzywica]

+1 for Google docs but MS Office is one of the few products M$ actually does well.

 

[10010011]

I have been using Open Office since I discovered M$ Office 2000 is not compatible with Windows-7

Can't really say much about the database part as I mainly use the spreadsheet and word processor.

Those two parts seem to do everything I need and converts back and forth from M$ Office that I use at work just fine.

I have not tried Google Docs because (correct me if I am wrong here) it seems to require an internet connection to work and I do not always have one.

 

[Harmon]

I use and like OpenOffice's word processor and Impress (their version of PowerPoint). No experience with their database software. I have had some minor formatting issues when converting an Impress presentation to PowerPoint, but overall I think it's pretty amazing that it's available for free. Can't justify the cost of buying MS Office.

 

[Warpdrv]

+1 for Google docs but MS Office is one of the few products M$ actually does well.

I agree - it has taken a long time for them to get it right, but its certainly the top of the heap and is the reason its just so expensive, not that its justified, but thats the way MS looks at it...

 

[lsiberian]

I know there are a few out there like open office but has there been any recent comprehensive review of the alternatives with respect to compatability, stability, etc? Whatever there is it would have to include their version of Access.

Open Office is your best bet.

 

[lsiberian]

I agree - it has taken a long time for them to get it right, but its certainly the top of the heap and is the reason its just so expensive, not that its justified, but thats the way MS looks at it...

MS Office has been great since 97 for me. It has improved by bunches. Considering the cost of software engineering these days I'm not surprised at the cost, but few people don't get it discounted through channels.

MS has started getting their act together again. I would not be surprised to see the PC phone pass the i phone in a few years. The MS software paradigm model is much easier to build for and they are the king of development tools right now.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

MS has started getting their act together again. I would not be surprised to see the PC phone pass the i phone in a few years.

You mean like how the Microsoft mp3 player overtook the iPod? I don't think Apple is none to worried about a Microsoft phone.

 

[Warpdrv]

I don't think Apple is none to worried about a Microsoft phone.

I don't think they are worried either, but they are learning along the way with the failed attempts of previous smart phone software, and they will catch up - not sure I see them overtaking orange* here, but people have proven that they want customizable products and pear* has a way of locking the user interface which is un-appealing to the masses. Who knows if MS will follow the ways of android or stay stuck in hell with peach* with a locked down user interface...

And don't think I don't understand the reasons banana* keeps their devices locked down, they are generally more stable and reliable for the masses.

*orange* you glad I didn't say apple... I get tired of saying apple...

 

[10010011]

I would not be surprised to see the PC phone pass the i phone in a few years.

I was not too impressed with my first look as the MS phone.

I run an with online police scanner streaming site and the MS phone could not play any of the three streaming formats I offer.

I-phones and Droids play it just fine with out any extra programs.

Typical myopic MS approach to not support open standards.

 

[Chu Gai]

Thanks for the recommendations. Google's program(s) I think are only accessible through the web so that doesn't work. It would have to be something downloaded to the PC. I do use MS Office and am able to obtain it at student pricing. However, I was looking for an alternative for someone who didn't or chose not to pay even that much (little).

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Thanks for the recommendations. Google's program(s) I think are only accessible through the web so that doesn't work. It would have to be something downloaded to the PC. I do use MS Office and am able to obtain it at student pricing. However, I was looking for an alternative for someone who didn't or chose not to pay even that much (little).

The newest OpenOffice will be your best choice for a complete MS Office replacement. It is also the standard office for Linux installs. I have it for the mac and If I did not have iwork or MS Office already, I would use OpenOffice for sure. Just download it and try it; It's free after all!


Here are 3 screen grabs of. One of OpenOffice, one of Pages, and one of MS Office. All very capable for writing or whatever. Why I have three office suites I don't know

 

[emorphien]

Typical myopic MS approach to not support open standards.

Not like Apple's approach to open standards has been all that great either. Given their first release it hardly seems too different from the first iOS.

I'm curious where it'll be in a year although I'm fairly certain my next phone (in ~6 months time) will be running Android.

 

[Jimmy Harmon]

Chu - Have you checked out OpenOffice yet? I'm quite pleased with it. Hard to beat for the price.

 

[Chu Gai]

I did Jimmy. No problem. It greatly exceeds my needs. Know what I ran across while doing some housecleaning? Word 1.0!