Solved Free version of Office

[Frank1]

I have MS Office 2007. I found out that I can now download Office 2010 free. Why should I continue to use 2007 when I can get 2010 free? If I understand it correctly, the free version does not have all the functionality of the paid which would be no problem for me as don't use all of what I have now. Am I understanding it correctly that I can get the 2010 free version?

 

[MilesAhead]

How were you apprised of this free Office? Email? On MS site? If you provided a link to the info it would be helpful.

Also there are totally free office suites that run on Windows as well as Linux. Depends on what features you need.

 

[Frank1]

How were you apprised of this free Office? Email? On MS site? If you provided a link to the info it would be helpful.

Also there are totally free office suites that run on Windows as well as Linux. Depends on what features you need.

Below is the link:
Microsoft improves its free online Office | ZDNet

 

[Mark Phelps]

That's a web-enabled version of Office -- which requires that you use the MS SkyDrive for your work. As far as I know, that does not install Office 2010 to your local PC.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

It's a web app meaning you would be dependent on an internet connection to use it, would be subject to internet traffic delays, and would use up internet bandwidth which could be a problem depending how much bandwidth your ISP allows and how much you would use. I personally feel you would be better off getting an Office 2010 Home and Student 3 license pack while you can (Office 2013 is a rip-off unless you have only one computer). Another alternative would be to get an open sources free Office like program such as LibreOffice or OpenOffice (warning: Java is required with those for some functions). Office 2007 will not reach it's EOL (End of Life) until 10/10/2017 so there is no need to replace Office 2007 until then unless it is to score Office 2010 while it still is available (assuming it still is: I think I got the last sale copy around a year ago because I haven't seen it on sale at a reduced price since then).

 

[z3r010]

I've just tried out the web version at Office - Office.com and it's perfectly fine for your average home user (who cares its web based if you rarely use it).

If you have office 2007 already then keeping that is the better option.

 

[Frank1]

It's a web app meaning you would be dependent on an internet connection to use it, would be subject to internet traffic delays, and would use up internet bandwidth which could be a problem depending how much bandwidth your ISP allows and how much you would use. I personally feel you would be better off getting an Office 2010 Home and Student 3 license pack while you can (Office 2013 is a rip-off unless you have only one computer). Another alternative would be to get an open sources free Office like program such as LibreOffice or OpenOffice (warning: Java is required with those for some functions). Office 2007 will not reach it's EOL (End of Life) until 10/10/2017 so there is no need to replace Office 2007 until then unless it is to score Office 2010 while it still is available (assuming it still is: I think I got the last sale copy around a year ago because I haven't seen it on sale at a reduced price since then).

You have answered my question with all the details. I think I will stay with Office 2007. Thank you and I hope you are enjoying the weather where you are at better than the one I am having.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Thanks! The weather here is peachy!

 

[strollin]

One advantage that using a web app has over using a locally installed program is the fact that your documents can then be accessed on any device that can run a browser. For instance, using either Google Drive or MS Skydrive, I can create, edit and share docs, spreadsheets & presentations among any device I own with a browser. No need to sync or copy files to be able to work on them.

I don't know what a free version of Office 365 brings to the table but I find it very handy to be able to access the same spreadsheet whether I'm using my PC, laptop, netbook, tablet or phone. How about accessing it from a Windows, Mac or Linux machine?