Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD

Subject: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: clueless don
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 11:52 AM

Sorry for the cryptic title, but we're limited to only a certain number of characters!

We are contemplating finally upgrading our computer (the current one is a 100mhz Pentium running Windows 3.1). We might go with a Windows machine, and we would like the answer to the following question: Are there any *non-Microsoft* word processors that will

1. read Microsoft Word documents
2. produce documents that can be read by Microsoft Word
?

Of course, I am aware that if we want to be able to read and write Word documents, one obvious possibility is to get Microsort Word itself. But we want to know what the non-Microsoft options are. For example, would WordPerfect for Windows do it?

Any help appreciated!

Don

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 11:56 AM

Try the free Open Office

There are probably some limitations but it's worth a go.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Paul Burke
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 11:59 AM

Open Office. It's free, rather big to download if you haven't got broadband. Often on the CDs or DVDs given away with computer magazines.
Get it here

It's a bit slow to start, and some of the clicks are rather different from Orifice, but it works well generally.

It's also got an Excel compatible spreadsheet, and other bitsies.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:00 PM

"the current one is a 100mhz Pentium running Windows 3.1"

I don't think it's right to even call that a computer any more.... :-)

Office 2003 is easy enough to find for free.... why sweat junk-ware solutions?

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:01 PM

Wordperfect will also do it -- damned good program!

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: MMario
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:05 PM

Office 2003 for free, legally? Some people do have that constraint, Clinton.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:07 PM

That's their problem, not mine MMario....

Seems silly not to avail oneself of what the internet has to offer....

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: treewind
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:10 PM

Open Office is not junk-ware.
The recently released Version 2.0 also has greatly improved compatibility with MS Office, both in file reading and user interface. (allegedly - I very rarely use the MS product so can't verify)

Open Office does some useful things that MS Office doesn't, like exporting to PDF very nicely.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: s&r
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:12 PM

Lotus smartsuite has it all. Cheap at the computer fairs, given away on some mags: much more user friendly and reliable

Stu

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:16 PM

I've been using Open Office at home rather than pay for MS Office.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: hesperis
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:29 PM

Another vote for Open Office. I use it all the time even when I have MS Office available.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 04:15 PM

There IS this one...Suite 602.

It used to be free, but now is $40...not bad! But try Open Office first.

I know a couple of other programs that can open and read Word, but it sounds like you need a complete suite.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 05:17 PM

Didn't mean "junk-ware" to refer directly to Open Office...

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 06:46 PM

Open office is more compatible with up to date versions of word than old versions of waod are.
That said. not everything works when converted back.
The "Presentation" section of Open Office does some stuff which is much better looking than the Microslop equivalent, but you lse it completely if you convert it back into something microscruff will show.
Quack
GtD.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 07:20 PM

Not a totally non-Microsoft solution, but there are some things you can use to limp along without Office:

Office Download Center includes several "viewers" to let people without Microsoft Office view and print Office files, and to allow those with Office to import obsolete Office file versions. These programs do not allow you to create documents, but may be handy for those who don't have the programs when there's a need to look at one.

All downloads here are free, but a few of them (updates and Service Packs) are available only to those with Office installed.

Microsoft Word Viewer allows you to open, view, and print any version Word document.

Microsoft Excel Viewer allows you to open, view, and print any version Excel Workbooks Excel 97 and later.

Microsoft Power Point Viewer allows users without Powerpoint to view and print most Powerpoint presentations.

For completeness: Microsoft Office File Converter Pack allows users with current or recent Office installed to convert old/obsolete forms of Office files.

Any "functionally useful" Office type program should allow you to import/export/save-as at least a few other formats. This sometimes requires installing a "converter package" that may not install in a default setup; but exchanging documents/files in common formats shouldn't be a real problem with any good program.

Open Office has received good reviews, although there are some "sometimes annoying" things being reported as missing that can be better done in the commercial programs, even if Wordperfect is all you have. It depends entirely on how "hard you want to ride the horse" whether it's suitable for your use.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 07:45 PM

I love WordPerfect!!!! (Have been working at home with it for years, including formatting newsletters, flyers, etc., sending and receiving Word-formatted documents, etc.) I hate Word!!!! (Now I work at the university.)

~ Becky in Tucson
(sorry, needed to vent a bit, it's been a bad computer week)

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 08:14 PM

Becky -

Having used both, and living with one who has done extensive professional WP using both, the concensus is clear, that those who went to all the trouble to learn WPft (and have forgotten how difficult and clumsy it really is) seem to love it, until they learn to use Word. Then there's no contest. Even Word requires a bit of study, but you're comparing something you've learned a lot about to something you need to learn a LITTLE about to use it effectively.

I can remember when I thought that *Smartware WP was a miracle, but Word's better.

*They folded back in about 1985, I think.

But that's sort of personal opinion, I suppose.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: mack/misophist
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:03 PM

For opening the various MS Office formats, OpenOffice does OK. However, Sun's Star Office has a decided edge. If you can claim any sort of academic affiliation, it's a free download from their site.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 10:06 PM

I've used Open Office, Star Office, Microsoft Office, and Word Perfect Office. My first choice is Word Perfect, if for no other reason than the "View Codes" feature. Second choice is Star Office.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 11:38 PM

Rapaire -

The only reason "View Codes" is helpful to WPft users is that they had to learn to use it in WPft. Just look at the format box in the Word toolbar and you have the same information without having to switch views. Learn to use styles on the format toolbar and Word runs circles around WPft. (Either program can use styles, but they're simpler in Word.)

BUT: It's a lot more important how well you KNOW the program you use than it is to have another program - or lots of other programs. If you learn to use ONE program well enough to do what you need to do, there's no big incentive to use something else that you have to do a lot - or even a little bit - of relearning to use for what you need to do.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: mooman
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 07:00 AM

If you run a Mac (like I do at home) then Appleworks will read and convert Word files and can save files also as Word files.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 08:14 AM

All wordprocessing applications will read and convert straightforward documents.

The difficult problem, is when you do something special in one application, that the other doesn't use.

An example, is people who write macro's, will find that it doesn't convert very well and will cost hours to rewrite in the other application.

Clueles Don
My suggestion is that you look in the magazines etc for older versions of MS Office. You can pick up full blown pukka versions for almost peanuts. Normally most people do not need the newer versions, as most of the users only use about 20% at best of the real power of the application.
The other advantage of going the MS route is that it is the most used application, which means there are more people who can help you if you run into any problems in the learning curve, plus there is so much training support materials on the market to help you.
I taught for about 15 years at advanced level, MS apps, Lotus Apps and Word Perfect. So please trust my judgement on this.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 09:47 AM

As an alternative viewpoint, the disadvantage of going any MS Word route is you remain to some degree or other (even if it is only the odd conversion thant won't work) remain locked into proprietry software.

Break free where you can! I must admit I still have Win 2K on my laptop and do have the occasional need for a bit of Win software but I've no regrets in moving onto Linux (Suse 9.2 in my case which cost about £50 I think) for my desktop PC.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 10:00 AM

I agree, JiK. Very much agree. The city here is "standardized" on MS Office, but I think that it's less expensive and more productive to supply whatever software the employee is familiar with than to re-train them. As long as documents can be read and produced in .doc format, spreadsheets in .xls, and presentation in .ppt, why worry about it?

I use WP Office both at home and at work. I can, and have, produced documents in .wpd, .doc, PDF, HTML, and XML from it. Quattro Pro produces in .xls as well as Quattro Pro and Lotus formats and can import those. Presentations does Power Point.

Why waste the money on re-training? (I am going to discontinue Claris Works 4.0, though, now that the last employee who used it is gone.)

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 10:12 AM

No argument there Jon.

However you also have to consider how much knowledge a user has.

I can only conclude from the signature "Clueless" that this person is not that knowledgeable. If that is the case, they should stick with soemthing that many people work with and can give help when needed.

For myself, I can work with any application, but that doesn't mean that I would recommend those products to less knowledgable users.

Another very important thing to remeber is that if you are looking for a job, how many adverts require knowledge of Microsoft products. So if you want more job opportunities get used to MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint.

You must think about the end user at all times and consider what might be best for them.

I don't use the mouse very much. I prefer to use the keyboard to do all my actions.
However for somebody who is learning a product, I would never try to teach them such shortcuts. They need to learn about the product first.
A touch typist with knowledge of all the quick keys from the keyboard will beat anybody hands up for producing documents.
If you don't beleive that, you need to see how quick my wife works, and hardly uses the mouse.
The mouse is a hindrance rather than a help in a lot of cases.
I am fortunate I can use both efficiently.

So I guess what I am trying to say, is find out more about the person, before you take them down a route that is good for you, but in the long run, may not be for the other person.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 10:26 AM

All valid points Villan.

I do however think that Linux is getting better and better in this area, at least with distributions like Suse (not sure I'd be suggesting Debian if the last time I had a play was anything to go by) they are quite manageble, although yes, I don't think it as yet as easy as say Win 2K (I "refused" to go to XP) which is the latest Win I have used.

It's always hard to define... I suppose I could say Pip, my 70 year old mother who has used PCs a few years now but is not particularly "computer savvy" would be quite capable of using Linux for WP etc. In fact her PC is dual boot - problem is she only uses Linux for games, it's really a case of old habits and sticking with the familiar, rather than difficulties though.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 10:40 AM

My oldest student was 86 and he was a star. He had never used a computer in his life. After about six lessons with me, he was using his computer on his own at home, and using word, email, internet confidentally.

Jon
Its still the problem that if you land somebody with a product that is not so well known, and things go wrong, you can turn somebody off IT for life, if nobody can support them.

So I still say, go with what Microsoft, unless you really know what the hell you are doing.

Subject: RE: Tech: non-microsoft software to read WORD
From: clueless don
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 11:57 AM

I am sorry that I waited this long to thank everyone who posted to this thread. You have all given me some very useful information, and I am grateful!

Don