Microsoft has dominated the office software market with Microsoft Office, but their software package can be expensive for personal use. Did you know that there are cheaper or free alternatives?

 

Open Office is a freeware alternative that is a good resource for folks who don't need to deal with MS Office documents very often. And Microsoft makes it easier, actually, because you can download free viewers for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other MS Office programs from Microsoft. These programs won't allow you to edit or change the documents you are looking at, but there won't be any formatting problems.

 

If someone does want MS Office, though, there are very inexpensive versions for personal use. MS Office 2003, with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is technically discontinued. It is sometimes still available for $150 for three licenses ($50 each); my company sells a single pack for $65 when available.

 

The current version, MS Office 2007, includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote—it does not include Outlook, and substitutes their Personal Information Manager. The single packs are available through my company for $65; the 3-pack can be purchased almost anywhere for $150 ($50 per license). At times the three-pack can be gotten for even less, when it is on sale.