Microsoft office help needed

mintymoneysaver

I have a Dell computer which came with Microsoft Office basic edition 2003 installed.I have now discovered this means I don't have powerpoint or publisher, the 2 which I would actually use most often! Can you buy an update which just includes these two or is there any way I can get hold of them? Obviously I only want to do this legitimately , but wondered how it was possible to get round this in the cheapest way possible.
Thanks...

Browntoa

this does EXACTLY the same job as the Microsoft products for free, except Publisher

http://www.openoffice.org/

and is able to save in the same format so you can swap between this and a real Office set up

What’s in OpenOffice.org?

WRITER is OpenOffice.org’s word processor: use it for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book with embedded illustrations, cross-references, tables of contents, indexes, bibliographies... Auto-complete, auto-format, and real-time spelling check make light work of the hardest task. Writer is powerful enough to tackle desktop publishing tasks such as creating multi-column newsletters, brochures – the only limit is your imagination.
Use CALC to bring your numbers under control. This powerful spreadsheet has all the tools you need to calculate, analyse, summarise, and present your data in numerical reports or sizzling graphics. A fully-integrated help system makes entering complex formulas a breeze. Sophisticated decision-making tools are just a few mouse clicks away. Pull in external data using the Data Pilot, and sort it, filter it, and produce subtotals and statistical analyses. Use previews to select from thirteen categories of 2-D and 3-D charts including line, area, column, pie, XY, stock and net with dozens of variants.
IMPRESS is the fastest, most powerful way to create effective multimedia presentations. Your presentations will truly stand out with special effects, animation and high-impact drawing tools.
DRAW will produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations and special effects.
New to Version 2, BASE enables you to manipulate database data seamlessly within OpenOffice.org. Create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports, either using your own database or Base’s own built-in HSQL database engine.

mintymoneysaver

So ( to a non computer expert like me) does that mean I could make a powwerpoint style presentation, save it on my USB PEN and then play it properly on powerpoint on another computer?
If so that's fantastic and just what I needed!

sco0ter

With Office 2007 coming out in a a while why not just download the beta2 of it and then if you like it you can save your money and buy this when it comes out.. I have been using this every day for over 2 weeks now and never had a bug or problem...

It expires 1st Feb 2007 although it will keep working just with reduced functions..(dont have a clue what)

For Microsoft Office 2007 Beta 2 system products including Word 2007, Excel 2007, PowerPoint® 2007, Outlook® 2007, Access 2007, Publisher 2007, OneNote® 2007, Groove® 2007, InfoPath® 2007, SharePoint Designer® 2007, Visio® 2007, and Project 2007 you will need:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 2 or later or Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (or higher) required
PC: Processor with at least 500 MHz or higher having RAM with a minimum 256 MB and a DVD drive.
Disk Space: 2 GB necessary for install — a portion of this disk space will be freed after installation if the original download package is removed from the hard drive.
Monitor resolution: minimum 800x600, 1024x768 or higher recommended
Internet access: Broadband connection, 128k bps or greater, for Download products and activation of Download products.
Internet Explorer 6.0 with Service Packs
For running Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Beta-2 with Business Contact Manager, a PC is recommend with a processor 1 GHz and 512 KB of RAM or higher.


Not all components have to be installed.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/beta/getthebeta.mspx

Dead_Eye_Jones

mintymoneysaver wrote:

So ( to a non computer expert like me) does that mean I could make a powerpoint style presentation, save it on my USB PEN and then play it properly on powerpoint on another computer?
If so that's fantastic and just what I needed!

In theory Yes! In practise I was unable to open a OpenOffice file in powerpoint at all. Opening a PP file in OO did work but much formatting was lost. This may be down to the versions I was using. Id be interested to hear other people's experiences.

OO is a great product though, once compatability is nailed is will be a viable alternative. I still use my old Office 2000 and am most happy with it.

Browntoa

you need to remember to save in Powerpoint Compatable mode