"Office" help please

charlottesmum_2

I'm almost completely useless when it comes to computers so I thought I'd turn to the experts. Please be gentle with me.

Only got a home pc in July and didn't bother buying the microsoft office package from Dell as brother-in-law said he would sort it out (he works in IT and said he could get it cheaper). However, he's one of these people who is all talk and no action so consequently we still don't have Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc and it's really hindering my formal letter-writing activities (and I can't open all those funnies that come in the form of powerpoint presentations - bummer).

So, could someone please advise me on where to go to buy "Office", and how much it should cost. I don't need anything too fancy - just the basics I think. Also, please don't use any technical language - I'm a girl.

Thanks very much.

gizmos

What you are basically wanted is Microsoft Office - and it is not too cheap a product. There are other products available cheaper that do the same thing but unfortunately Microsoft hs the market share.

You could get it off ebay but you never know what uyou are getting until you get it if you know what I mean

intel

I have sent you a Private Message.

Also Open Office its a free alternative http://www.openoffice.org/

lottie$_2

Have you got school age kids? If so, then you can purchase it on an educational license. and get it much cheaper - my sister got it for about £90 last year from PC world.

johnrp007

Open Office is highly recommended. Similar features to Microsoft Office but free! Have a look at this review: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/80012/openoffice-2.html?searchString=openoffice+openoffice

tigermatt

I recommend OpenOffice if you can't use the advice in post 4 above.

If you really want Office, you could risk it and purchase it from eBay, or you could take a look over at eBuyer. They have a basic version of Office 2003 for just under £125 inc. VAT http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=14912742598&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=76929 Note that this doesn't include Powerpoint. They have a Small Business Edition of Office XP: http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=14912742598&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=65632 £128.07 inc. VAT

These are OEM so you'll need to purchase a piece of hardware with the product otherwise you are required to purchase the product at retail prices. (Much more expensive)

BenL

PC Pro magazine also recommends open office for home use due to the cost of MS Office.

I personally use MS Office on my main machine as we got it cheap on the NHS home use scheme.

My laptop has to use open office due to only having 1 MS Office licence.

Ben

Bob_the_Builder_5

lottie$ is right.

If you are or know anyone who could in any way be described as a student or a teacher, you can get the Student & Teacher Edition of Microsoft Office. The definition of who qualifies is very broad – if you can grab a four-year-old off the street, you qualify.

It consists of a box containing a form and a prepaid envelope. Fill in the form, and get the relevant school/college to rubber stamp it. Put the completed form in the envelope and send it to some obscure PO box address in Amsterdam, and about three weeks later you should receive the CDs.

https://www.dabs.com are showing it at £84.54 inc VAT

scheming_gypsy

intel wrote:

I have sent you a Private Message.

i bet you did

intel

scheming_gypsy wrote:

i bet you did

Im not allowed to discuss giving a genuine CD away, that I looked at again
and is poorly scratched so it doesnt work so im not discussing that.

scheming_gypsy

ooops... me and my mucky mind as usual..

or is it just me that sends that kind of pm's?