Kirk W Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 With the new computer, I am also reviewing what software I want on it. Does anyone out there use one of the free word processor programs? Do you use MS Office? Why did you pick what you are using? Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 (edited) I started out with Open Office, then switched to LibreOffice when it split off following the Oracle purchase of Sun Microsystems and the Open Office project. Both work very well and are Microsoft compatible in look and feel, doing everything I need. The main drawback (and it's minor) is they save files using the .odf (Open Document Format) extension after Microsoft claimed copyright protection on their extensions (.doc, .docx, etc.) Though you can choose to use one of the Microsoft extensions when you save the file. Edited May 27, 2020 by Lou Schneider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 I've used WordPerfect since it came out more than 40 yr. ago!! It's a powerful program and very easy. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filthy-beast Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 WordPerfect was the best for professional typists and those with good keyboard skills. Then Ray Noorda at Novell bought it and went to war with Gates and lost. Wysiwyg and a mouse slowly took over as it was easier for the non-power users. I use Office365 and the suite of Office tools including Onenote and OneDrive, but it was what I've used at work for years and I get a discount. Some of the open source stuff is really good. I think it really depends on how much you will use it and how often you need to exchange files with Office users. Quote 2020 Platinum F350 6.7L CC DRW, 2021 Riverstone Legacy 37mre 5th wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 I use Open Office for both word processing and spreadsheets. Quote LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sehc Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 I do reports for local utility. I have a Office 365 subscription. I'm happy. My clients are happy. I am always up to date with bells and whistles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt5ash Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Over the years, I've used MS Office, Scientific Word, LibreOffice, Open Office, Word Perfect, and a couple versions of TEX. LibreOffice is just fine, and seems to do general word processing and etc. well. So far, I've found no need to buy a 'pays' office suite when LibreOffice is available. Good Luck --matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Chance Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 After years of using MS Office at both work and home (had a professional multi-license version of Office 2003 for home), I found I could no longer download and install things like compatibility packs for Word when setting up a replacement PC. I searched and read and finally settled on the LibreOffice suite. I don't have a need for the database portion any more, but the writer and calc (spreadsheet) apps work flawlessly and are much more compatible with the different document formats we have from over the years and the different formats friends and family send us. We're running LibreOffice on both of our laptops and are very happy with it. Rob Quote 2012 F350 CC LB DRW 6.7 2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows Full-time since 8/2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted May 29, 2020 Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 I did not like Open Office (openoffice.org) all that much because it had a user Interface very different than my Office 2010 I have five licenses for. I did like Libre Office a bit more but it also involved change. Well, I just gave in and bought the military edition of Office 365 which goes well for five or six seats, I forget and was on sale for $49.99 at the BX. Well I like the new MS office and Word User interface even less than I liked Libre Office several years back. Guess since I am not even fixing and building computers anymore, nor running any companies, Libre Office has all I need. Emails and texts don't usually send Word attachments much except in biz, and texts have replaced most written comm along with antisocial media. When my one year subscription runs out, I am going back to Libre Office. Quote RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted May 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 Looks like I'll give LibreOffice a try. My son the programmer says I should stick with Google documents but I'm not sold on it. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justRich Posted May 29, 2020 Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 LibreOffice gets my vote too. Quote ~Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewilso Posted May 29, 2020 Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 I miss Word Star, no mousing around. Quote Dave W. KE5GOH Stuck in the 70's --- In E. Texas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted May 29, 2020 Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 (edited) 37 minutes ago, dewilso said: I miss Word Star, no mousing around. Keyboard shortcut keys for LibreOffice do about everything you could want: https://help.libreoffice.org/3.3/Writer/Shortcut_Keys_for_Writer Edited May 29, 2020 by Lou Schneider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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