Software Advice Please

rheme

Hi

Loaned my dad my very old laptop about a month ago. He is 78, never used a computer before, and is currently getting to grips with the internet and his e-mail account.

Got a call from him the other night saying he enjoys it so much he would like a new laptop. That is on order and should be here in the next day or so.

Although he probably won't use word or excel if anyone sends him an e-mail with an attachment of this type on then he would need the software to open it. Will I have to put the microsoft software on or can I download Open Office (which is free) and would this open Word and Excel documents?

Any advice much appreciated.

mymatebob

Open office will do the trick - although you may need to install an add-on (easily enough done) for some email attachments.

No need at all to buy MS Office

Nex0

It says its compatible with all the leading ones so you shouldn't have any problems with excel or word.

mymatebob

Sorry just realised I was talking about an issue with Thunderbird - so ignore me (unless he is using that as his email client)

rheme

I have opened up a Gmail account for him. So take it that the Open Office is still okay and there will be no issues.

Thanks for your help

mymatebob

He can save any attachments from his Gmail and then open them with Open Office.

nickj_2

no need to use open office , goolge do their own documents - spreadsheets , if you have a gmail account you can access these , they are very easy to use

[Deleted User]

You can install the free viewers that Microsoft have available if installing a full office package is OTT and not going to be used, you can find them:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/downloads/HA010449811033.aspx