Openoffice.org

[Paula]

Has anyone used this free software? I don't have word on this laptop and was thinking of downloading this software, all the reviews seem okay. Would appreciate any warning of problems it may cause me.

[gerryh]

Hi Paula
I've used it for a number of years.
No problems whatsoever.
It can read and write MS formatted files.
It is fast becoming as popular as the paid for MS products.

Cheers
Gerry

[Beachcomber]

I have used it for several years as well and prefer it to MS Office.

[spanish_lad]

Ooffice is great !

[pilgrim2]

I use it with no problems.

[Enrique]

Hi,
I've not used it , but have worked with other Sun products and find them GREAT

Just noticed SL you're not looking for a job anymore ...you got fixed up

[spanish_lad]

shhh, thats not the subject of this thread

[Enrique]

Hi SL,
Never stops the "girls" from leaving the thread subject

¡Muy bien! on your PM info

[Paula]

Thanks all, I've downloaded and used it briefly, seems a good way to save 50 quid

[pigs-might-fly]

If you just need a good word processor, try Jarte.
It uses Windows built in "Wordpad" rendering engine, so it's very quick to start and uses very few resources. It will do anything a home user wants, including making & saving templates. A paid version is available, but the few extras it offers are, IMO, not worth the money.
To view Office 2007 output you will need to install the Microsoft Office compatibility pack, available from MS. (This is true o earlier Word documents, too).
OOO is very good, (and version 3 will natively read MS Office 2007 output in .docx format), if you need ALL the bells & whistles. I have now un-installed Office 2007 and OOO, as I never create Powerpoint type presentations or spreadsheets. To view such things if others send them I use Excel viewer & Powerpoint viewer, both from the MS official website
Saves a load of space on the disc and, while it may be coincidence, my laptop shuts down & boots up much more quickly.