Word Processor and Spreadsheet

I need to replace my word processor and spreadsheet. I have a free version of Word 2010 (Beta) now, but I won't be able to use it in 30 days. I don't use a word processor often and I don't need a lot of bells and whistles.
I read somewhere of freeware called "Writer" and "Calc".
If I were to download these programs will they be just as functional as Word and Excel?
Can I attach the "Writer" documents to email? Will the recipients be able to open them? Are these programs easy to use right away or is there a lengthy learning curve? Will I have to uninstall Word 2010 first?

You should look into Google Docs which allow you to read/write MS Word & Excel compatible files.

The Writer & Calc programs you mentioned are probably part of OpenOffice.

Both of the options above will be able to read and write MS Word & Excel compatible files for the most part. However, if you use VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) to create macros those macros won't work with either option.

No, you do not need to uninstall Word prior to using either or both of the above.

If you are familiar with Office, but don't want to pay for it, just use the online versions for free. You'll even get 25 GB of storage space free. If you don't need all the bells and whistles, this would work fine for you.

Thanks for the help. I want to be able to create simple docs and spreadsheets and don't want to pay an arm and leg for it. I'll go for the OpenOffice free download.

I downloaded puppy linux as a live cd linux recovery environment and had a play with Open Office. Open office can't handle my spreadsheet macros but apart from that I was quite impressed. It should meet the OPs requirements nicely.
The pup was very impressive as well given it's very small size..

mjf said:

I downloaded puppy linux as a live cd linux recovery environment and had a play with Open Office. Open office can't handle my spreadsheet macros ...

I didn't even go that far...(I can't see me kicking a VM in gear every time I'll open a DOC or XLS. Simply get a portable Open Office if you don't want a fixed install.

The fun part is that a MS Office user feels right at home in OO

Of course you would have to rewrite all MS Office Macros since the VB dialect used there is not free and thus couldn't have been legally employed by OpenOffice.

-DG

If you are worried about file compatibility with others, why not use the online Live version of Office? It's completely free, and works very well.

office.live.com...just checked it out...incl. document sharing via skydrive...that's neat
But from experience I can tell that a lot of people are still not comfortable to put out all their documents on the internet. Like I said it's a neat gadget but not (yet?) THE solution for everyone. Based on the sensitivity of the data in question, even I would prefer a local solution as a "fixed point" and office live as an addition as I see fit.
Especially since for safety reasons I would always hold a local copy anyways (and even if it only was for the one time when I urgently need something and Murphy happens

-DG