*** Productivity Software ***
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* = free $ =
relative cost
# = often free with new PC @ = Sometimes free or special price with purchase of a new PC m = Mac Microsoft
Officetm
$$$@m
Open
Office
*m
Libre
Office
*m
Microsoft
Workstm
$#
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Productivity software ***
Productivity software, covers word processing, data handling record keeping etc. The most popular are office suites. The most popular seems to be Microsoft Office (latest is MS Office 2010). It comes in several flavors, Home and Student, Professional, Enterprise and others. The price will range from $150 for the Home and up to $600 for the Enterprise. The main difference is what is in each package. (See the MS link on the left.) What you want is dependent on your needs. The most popular free office suite is Open Office (2011) from OpenOffice.org. It is produced by a consortium of programmers under what is known as "Open-Source" software, and is completely free. They also invite user/programmers to participate in its future. The source code is usually available for programmers to help out. Open Office contains the various applications similar to the Microsoft version, and in most cases the documents created are compatible. A graphics program is also part of Open Office. Each contain a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software. The higher levels of MS Office also contain data base and publishing packages. The Open Office version has all of this, though the data base package is a bit different. I have used both, and my personal preference is MS Office Professional. Often a major retail store will provide a version for a reduced price, sometimes free, with the purchase of a new PC. A list of available office suites can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_suite. When you buy a new machine (Windows PC), a package called Microsoft Works is often included. This will provide the average home user what they may need; Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, Calendar, Address Book, Dictionary and a PowerPoint presentation Viewer. Some versions may include the actual version of Microsoft Word. Samples and templates are included for each program. So, if you are in the need, have a look to see if it meets your needs. It is also available for purchase. |