Looking for Word Processing Software
 

When I bought this PC (Win XP) I didn't bother with the bundled software as I didn't require most of what it had to offer despite the inclusion of Word Processing S/W. I now realise that it would probably have been worthwhile for this feature alone. I'm presently considering Microsoft Works v7 but in all honesty the price seems a little on the steep side. Firstly Ladies and Gents, do you have any comments on this particular suite of Software, and secondly is there any good basic stuff available at a reasonable price?
Your comments and suggestions most humbly solicited.
Ta, P A

StarOffice is worth a look - $80 instead of $300 ish.

Check Google for reviews . . .

There are various alternatives, some free, some low cost.

Free http://www.software602.com/products/pcs/ (don't know much about it) Probably fine if you are just using for yourself and not exchanging many files for business.

There is other free stuff, but nothing comes to mind now.

Low cost http://wwws.sun.com/software/star/st...6.0/index.html
Sun Microsystems MS office alternative -- about USD 75. Gets good reviews in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere, but some more elaborate formatting does not transfer well (now at least) between, say, MS Excel and the StarOffice version. So, they say, if you need good compatibility with MS office, use MS Office. I'd guess though, that StarOffice would provide greater compatibility with MS Office than MS Works.

I like the Corel suites also, but you have the same compatibility issue.

Myself, I use MS Office 2000 just because I am exchanging so many files with other MS Office uses.

It is difficult to advise without knowing about your circumstances. For example, is your line of work likely to require you to use word processing as part of the job? Do you take work between home and office that involves word processing? Etc.

MS Office seems to be pretty much the industry standard in the UK. Look at the job ads and you will see Word and Excel quoted commonly as essential or desirable experience, as well as specialist software such as Sage. So, if you are looking for a job, or likely to be looking in the near future, it might help to get MS Office.

Sorry to be so vague - just trying to look at the bigger picture.

I can recommend Lotus Wordpro. I'm not if it's still being sold though.
Vastly easier to use than Word.

Thanks everyone - a bit pressed for time at the moment so will look at your suggestions a little later.

FJJP.......sorry about that, a few more details would not have been amiss ! I just want the software for home use, pretty basic stuff really such as letters, reports, projects etc. Does this alter your suggestions in any way ?
Thanks again, everyone. Must go....

'Openoffice.org'.

It's the free (!) version of Sun's 'Star Office'.

Compatible with Office 97 file formats and not much difference beteen it & Star Office apart from mostly font & dictionary add-ons.

Available for download from www.openoffice.org or is often found on computer magazine disks. Windows and Linux versions available.

18W
 

Lotus Office Suite is still sold (ex. Lotus division of IBM) and most chain computer stores. It often comes free (or the $1.- type deal)with new hardware.;)

Star Office 5.2 was free - somebody is sure to have a CD or the download file.:)

Star Office (now Open Office) always worked OK, but a bit of an unpleasant interface for my liking. We use 602 on a machine here at work- very compatable with Word, but we find it a tad unreliable opening Excel 97 and above docs.