Cheap software needed

davidsonsl

I have recently started an online Psychology course :eek: and am finding my software (windows XP word processor) is not compatable with that of anyone else on the planet!! For my course I need Powerpoint, Excel and latest word package, ideally Microsoft office or XP pro home edition, now I have a student card I thought I would utilise it, can anyone help or does anyone know of any shortcuts? Any help is greatly appreciated as I cannot submit my assignment until I have more software!!!! :mad:

deddogblues

Try http://www.openoffice.org/ for open source office software that is FREE.

username

There's 3 options: -

1) "Acquire" a copy. i.e. download a copy of Microsoft Office from the internet or borrow from a friend. OK, not excatly straight, but it does help if you are a student and cannot afford to buy such things, if you see what I mean. Of course, I do not condone such actions.

2) If you are reasonably well off then you can buy the Office XP student and teacher edition. It costs around £100 and you will probably need to get some forms and send them off and get your teachers to sign them to prove you're a student. Can be obtained from all the usual suspects.

3) Try open office. Download from https://www.openoffice.org. I don't know what the compatability is like with Microsoft applications (which every man and his dog seems to use). Open Office is free, but IMO is not as good as MS office in terms of user interface and performance.

HTH.

davidsonsl

Do you have any idea where I could "borrow a copy" from the internet, not that I would ever do such a thing of course, just so I know!!

Quiet_One

davidsonsl wrote:

I have recently started an online Psychology course :eek: and am finding my software (windows XP word processor) is not compatable with that of anyone else on the planet!! For my course I need Powerpoint, Excel and latest word package, ideally Microsoft office or XP pro home edition, now I have a student card I thought I would utilise it, can anyone help or does anyone know of any shortcuts? Any help is greatly appreciated as I cannot submit my assignment until I have more software!!!! :mad:

Just sent you a message, which should help you!

Savvy_Sue

If you go down the OpenOffice route, you need to set your options so that you save in Word, Excel format etc rather than in the OO option, or MS users won't be able to open 'your' files.

Is the word processor you have Word? If it is, I'm surprised you haven't got everything else as well.

Tim_L

Openoffice is very compatible with Word - you can also get it on most of the magazines with a DVD on the cover, PC Plus etc.

davidsonsl

Thanks for everyones help, I have now managed to aquire a copy.

fishfinny

please help!! I need it too!
desparately need ms office but can't seem to acquire it anywhere!!!

terryr

Try here if you have a student id no http://www.viglen.co.uk/viglen/Products_Services/software/microsoft_student_form.aspx?GUID=21176885600. Hope this helps.

superscotsman

Just because there is a brand new version of software out, that doesn't mean you can't get by with an out-of-date version - especially if you can get it for nothing. Have a look at

http://www.oldversion.com

I recommend their no-strings version of Winzip, which you will find very useful.

If you want free stuff, just feed "free downloads" into google and try the CNet site. It's amazing what you can get for nothing.

You can also try bidding on ebay for out-of-date software. Sometimes the out-of-date stuff is better: because there are fewer bells and whistles it is easier to use.

If you are looking for a good word processing thing, try the free version of Jarte. The free version does not have right-hand justification. But - here's the dodge - when you do get a version of Microsoft Word, the two are compatible, and if you justify on Word, it also justifies on Jarte. You may prefer to continue to use Jarte even if you have Word, because it is easier to use.

If you can, enrol at your local college on a computer repair course. It will save you loads, as practically any computer repair (I am not talking about Macintoshes here) and upgrade can be done with just a screw driver - once you know how. You will also be in the company of computer experts; and you will find that software which will cost you £80 a time, they can get something just as good for nothing. Knowledge may be power, but it is gentle on the wallet.

If you have both a PC and a Macintosh, and you have the Macintosh version of a programme, and you need it for the PC too, before you go out and buy the PC version, put the Macintosh CD into your PC. You could be in for a surprise!