Open Office questions

headintheclouds

I have a friend who is just about to buy a pc and is horrified at the thought of spending £300 on Microsoft Office. He's not familiar with any other software, but I've suggested that Open Office might be a money-saving solution. He's concerned that it will be very different from Microsoft, and not compatible. He really needs word processing and presentation software, is not fussed about e-mail as he uses Hotmail, and doesn't use spreadsheets.

Can anyone explain (concisely) the features of Open Office and whether it is a good alternative?

Would be much appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation.

shutton54321

It is a very good alternative. It does an application for word documents and presentations. Its similar to microsoft office but its under a different name. You get just about same features as microsoft and whats more its free. Tell him to get open office hje wont be dissappointed. Or he could always illegally download microsoft office but i wouldnt know how to do that :rolleyes:

bat999

Hi headintheclouds
I've used Microsoft Office a lot over the years.
Now I've gone over to Linux operating system I have to use Open Office.
It's a dead ringer for MS Office, a clone.
Your friend will have no problems using it.
The two parts I've used are the word processor and the spreadsheet.
They're almost exactly the same as Word and Excel and the files you save in Open Office can be used in MS Office.

headintheclouds

Thanks for the tip, but I think he'd rather be above-board and legal.

Fran

***Boardguide Comment***

Please remember the Forum Rule:

ILLEGAL TOPICS

Please do not discuss illegal issues or those that are grey areas in law on this forum. The Board Guides have been asked to remove any such posts. These include the cross-border sale of tobacco, file-sharing, breaking copy protection, hacks, keygens, trading registration codes, pornography, Russian MP3 download sites or other ways to illegally use software.

pin

Open Office is a legal, open source piece of software, backed by Sun Microsystems.

I have no idea who has suggested it it a "grey" topic or that it is any way illegal.

I am also unaware of any legal actions by Microsoft, or any company, claiming that there is anything illegal about Open Office.

f1charlie

I think the boardguide is referring to this comment:

shutton54321 wrote:

Or he could always illegally download microsoft office but i wouldnt know how to do that :rolleyes:

Charlie

Fran

Sorry I've confused you, I was referring mostly to a post which I deleted.

woo

look at the student teacher edition of office, a lot cheaper than the full blown affair.

f1charlie

Review of Open Office from PC Pro, comparing to MS Office:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/80012/openoffice-2.html

Seems to be a no-brainer really, unless your friend has money to burn!

Charlie

mynamesnotdave

You can get a version of office from Microdirect for around £100
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=5780&GroupID=69
But i would just use open office. Its free!