Is Microsoft Office worth paying for?

[Camsung]

What do you guys think about paying for a word processor like MS Word? Are there any free alternatives that are just as good? I've tried Open Office but it doesn't have a live word counter which I find extremely useful. LibreOffice has one but the program overall isn't as nice as Word.

[wtfxmitchell]

it is worth it

[Skyfire]

Well, it's up to you if you want the features that free software doesn't deliver. I personally use free software because it pretty much gets the job done. I don't use office programs much though.

[EChondo]

LibreOffice.

 

It's the only thing I use.

 

(I know you said LibreOffice in the OP, I just like linking things hehe)

[ttam]

If you only need a Word processor, the Word Pad in Windows is nice (7 & up)

 

Apache Open Office - http://www.openoffice.org

Google Drive has the nice Word processor built in.

KOffice - http://www.koffice.org

Jarte Word Processor (good from what I hear) - http://www.jarte.com

WordGraph - http://www.ssuitesoft.com/wordgraph.htm

 

I personally use my Google Drive for most word docs even though I have a copy of Microsoft Office installed.

[Camsung]

I just like the look of MS Office (especially Office 2013) as it looks awesome compared to free versions like OpenOffice which look horrible. However, I'm interested in knowing the actual software feature differences between LibreOffice/OpenOffice etc. and Microsoft Word. Does it have any features that the free ones don't?

[ComputerNoob]

I use office all the time for schoolwork, so for me it is definatly worth it, well we basicly have to have it. My dad got the full package for extremely cheap from his work.

[ttam]

What features are you looking for mainly? Or is it just the aesthetic reasons.

[Camsung]

I use office all the time for schoolwork, so for me it is definatly worth it, well we basicly have to have it. My dad got the full package for extremely cheap from his work.

How much did it cost

[ComputerNoob]

How much did it cost

He got the office 2010 proffesional plus, which costs i think like 400 dollars or more, for around 100-200 dkr (20-40 bucks) i think. And it also included 5 keys. One hell  of a deal.

[Camsung]

He got the office 2010 proffesional plus, which costs i think like 400 dollars or more, for around 100-200 dkr (20-40 bucks) i think. And it also included 5 keys. One hell  of a deal.

That's actually a lot of money as all I want is MS word Is there a way to buy it separately? I only use Powerpoint and Excel occasionally. 

[tobben]

how about open office? anyone?

[ERSCreeper]

I use Office 2013. I love it. Access

[ttam]

Cheap office is like $139 US. But world by itself is $109 if you buy it seperate.

[Geok]

I don't think its worth it. Unless you're a student, need it, and would like full version of it everywhere with you. Otherwise, I use hotmail.com/live.com. Hosted by microsoft, all the software available through browser, that how I do all my work, and save it on the cloud storage that is also available. 

[ttam]

I would strongly recommend for you to check out Google Docs/Drive and see what the browser based editors can do for you.

[Camsung]

So what's the difference in features between LibreOffice and MS Word

[ttam]

http://lifehacker.com/battle-of-the-office-suites-microsoft-office-and-libre-1147940828

 

http://iloveubuntu.net/libreoffice-40-compared-difference-difference-microsoft-office-2013

 

Good comparison of the two.

[Camsung]

http://lifehacker.com/battle-of-the-office-suites-microsoft-office-and-libre-1147940828

 

http://iloveubuntu.net/libreoffice-40-compared-difference-difference-microsoft-office-2013

 

Good comparison of the two.

thnx

[ttam]

Here is an exert for anyone wondering on the Word processor note;

 

 

"After using both for a couple weeks, I didn't notice any major features missing in either. Writer is a capable word processor that does pretty much everything Word can do and more. In fact, we picked Writer as the best word processor for Windows. If a word processor is all you really need, then Writer will do everything Word can do and more."

 

So that is a plus for LibreOffice right there.

 

Also since you commented about the looks, here is another thing from one of the reviews;

 

 

LibreOffice also supports extensions, which means you can customize the look, features, and feel of the suite to suit your needs.

[Camsung]

Here is an exert for anyone wondering on the Word processor note;

 

 

So that is a plus for LibreOffice right there.

 

Also since you commented about the looks, here is another thing from one of the reviews;

Why is it free if it's better than Word? Just curious.

[ttam]

Why is it free if it's better than Word? Just curious.

It's just one of those things, ya know? Just how you can spend $60 for a game and play it every so often or you can download League of Legends for free and it's the same quality of a game as the $60 game. The joys of the internet is someone out there is a cheap ass and didn't want to pay for Office so they did the right thing and made their own version to compete

[solosdk]

Or you can just download it for free... Why pay for overpriced software

[Samdb]

I managed to get a copy of Office Business from my Mum as she worked in schools so it had to be provided in order for her to work. If you can't get a copy of Business from a friend or relative it's not worth it.

[Keystone Nyan Cat]

Considering its 70$ for a 2013s physical copy for Students and Home users where I am, definitely yes!