Microsoft Works

pollyanna24

Just bought a laptop, Packard Bell for £400. It doesn't have any kind of spreadsheet or word processor on it. Thought the cheapo version (i.e. not word, excel) came standard on computers?

Sweetchuck

Excel and Word are part of Microsoft Office, not Microsoft Works. Office very rarely comes bundled with new systems as it's one of Microsoft's biggest money-spinners.

I think you can download very basic versions from Microsoft, but you could also try going for Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org, I think) which is an open-source version which performs every bit as well as Microsoft Office. The best bit is that it's totally free.

chuckles1066

Sweetchuck wrote:

Excel and Word are part of Microsoft Office, not Microsoft Works. Office very rarely comes bundled with new systems as it's one of Microsoft's biggest money-spinners.

I think you can download very basic versions from Microsoft, but you could also try going for Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org, I think) which is an open-source version which performs every bit as well as Microsoft Office. The best bit is that it's totally free.

I think you may find Works has slimmed down (reduced functionality) versions of Word and Excel.

For example, I believe the Excel version in Works is limited to one worksheet per workbook.

You can always download a beta version of Office 2007 from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b07a3387-01cf-4bc3-821a-0bb10e7a59fa&DisplayLang=en

I think it expires in about February 2007 but it's fully functional.

BertieMeldrew

I think the OpenOffice route is the way to go... as is the case with much Open Source software.

The world currently seems to have a fixation with Microsoft... hence Bill G's billions! I have been using OpenOffice stuff for some time now and it is perfectly acceptable... and fully compatible with MS stuff.

John_Gray

If you want to stick with Microsoft, it will depend on what programs you need to use.

Works Suite 2006 includes Word 2002, Works 8, Money 2006 Standard, Digital Image Standard 2006, Encarta Encyclopedia Standard, and Streets & Trips Essentials (£79 from Amazon).

Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition includes Word 2003, Excel 2003, Outlook 2003, and PowerPoint 2003 (£73 from Amazon, and can be installed on up to three of your computers).

John