Alternatives to MS Office?

[JoLin]

After 4 years, I had to re-image my laptop yesterday and restore it to the way it was originally. I had ordered it from Dell with MS Office pre-installed. After the reset, when I opened Office it asked me for the 25-character authentication key, which I can't find. 2 calls to Dell provided no help. They don't have it. Microsoft doen't either as it was an OEM install by Dell. Grrr.

Sooo, I know there are other Word and Excel equivalents out there these days. My needs aren't extreme, but they need to read/write to the MS document formats. Someone recommended Open Office. Anyone have experience with it? Any others?

I just don't want to pay for a new version of Office if I can help it. Thanks.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Open office is pretty much your best option for alternatives, I have used it for years now, with no major complaints, takes a bit of getting used to, but not difficult to use at all.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

I used OpenOffice a few years ago. It was OK, but not good.

maybe worth just getting a home office version of the latest MS Office as they tend to be less expensive than some of their previous versions.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Open office is pretty much your best option for alternatives, I have used it for years now, with no major complaints, takes a bit of getting used to, but not difficult to use at all.

Same here, been using Open Office for a few years now and find it works great.

 

[matt167]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Used MS office for years, but rather than buy the newest version ( at the time ). I got Open Office for free and used it until a couple years ago. Now I use Libreoffice which is based on open office, but now a few versions out, it's just a bit different. I use Libreoffice now only because that is all that bundles with most Linux distributions and it's just easier to keep the same program between both operating systems ( Win 7 pro and Open Suse Linux 12.1 )

IMO, unless you need special functions that MS office can do. Open/Libreoffice will do everything you want and you'll only lack clippy.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

and you'll only lack clippy.

Been a few versions since you have used office - huh?

 

[matt167]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Been a few versions since you have used office - huh?

Yep, I think the last version I used was 2003. Used '97 for a long time.. I knew Clippy was gone, wanted to see how fast someone would pick up on it.. Clippy and the space flight simulator easter egg in powerpoint 97 made for some pretty entertaining study halls thru high school.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Libreoffice is just as good as MS office and compatible and free. I have crossed back and forth with hundreds of PP,Excel and MS word files without issue. Librecad is AWESOME for 2d drawing and works with DXF files. And while your at it change your MS os to ubuntu/linux it includes libreoffice and tons of free software.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Libreoffice is just as good as MS office and compatible and free. I have crossed back and forth with hundreds of PP,Excel and MS word files without issue. Librecad is AWESOME for 2d drawing and works with DXF files. And while your at it change your MS os to ubuntu/linux it includes libreoffice and tons of free software.

As the employee of a MS partner I grudgingly agree I tested out Libre Office with unbunto and was impressed with its functionality.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Thanks for the feedback and input, guys. I appreciate it. I'll check out both Open and Libre, but sounds like either would probably work for me.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Google docs! It will easily handle all the common tasks, and once you get over the fact google knows everything about you anyway, its REALLY nice having it in the cloud.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Google docs! It will easily handle all the common tasks, and once you get over the fact google knows everything about you anyway, its REALLY nice having it in the cloud.

Might as well just give them your SSN too and get it over with.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Might as well just give them your SSN too and get it over with.

While we are talking alternatives here is one for privacy.....Firefox browser, DuckDuckGo search engine, Abine anti-tracker

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

I refuse to put anything on the clouds.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

You can also download MS office reader for free from MS.....also Power Point reader if needed......there are hacks to open on demand like if you recieve in a e-mail ....best way to say open on demand is how the hacks work.....otherwise you get open with screen ....then you choose ....a painWhoops should have said MS WORD READER....not office reader same thing free then google the hack

 

[JoLin]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

I'm leery of the cloud, too, though practically speaking my life is already an open book anyway where the internet is concerned. When the laptop started acting up I was looking at a Chromebook as a cheap alternative but couldn't bring myself to make that leap.

Just wanted you all to know that I dl'd Open Office from the Apache website yesterday. It has the same look and feel as MS Office and I've built a spreadsheet and text doc with zero learning curve and no issues. I'm sure I'd find differences if I were using advanced features, but my needs are pretty simple these days. Seems just fine for home use.

Thanks again.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Alternatives to MS Office?

Just wanted you all to know that I dl'd Open Office from the Apache website yesterday.
Seems just fine for home use.

Don't underestimate it. Goes way beyond home use. It is a very powerful full blown professional office suite. Many businesses use it.