Why spend so much money for Microsoft Office when you can get the basic functions of Office in OpenOffice?
When buying a computer, the software that normally comes with the package is Microsoft Office. But there are some computers that do not come with the software. What are we to do when our computers don’t come with the latest version of Office?
OpenOffice is an open-source software application suite that is made available for a number of different computer operating systems.
The biggest pro of OpenOffice is the fact that it is, wait for it…FREE! OpenOffice is distributed as free software and can be downloaded right onto your computer in a matter of minutes.
I have used Microsoft Office ever since I can remember and I always thought to myself that Office comes with every computer that you buy. It was not until I entered college when I realized that Microsoft Office was not cheap. It was really expensive.
During my sophomore year, I began taking a class which required the use of the newest version of Office 2007. I was still using Office XP, which was released in conjunction with Windows XP.
Realizing how expensive the software was, I tried to get it illegally by downloading a copy of Microsoft Office 2007. Being naive about the whole situation, my computer got a virus and my whole system crashed.
About a year ago I purchased a netbook that I could take to class instead of using my clunky and heavy laptop that I use at home. The netbook came with a trial of Microsoft Office and after the trial ended it gave you the option to renew the product for a price. Knowing the OpenOffice is readily available for free download, I ignored Microsoft’s product and went with OpenOffice.
All I needed for the use of school is Word and PowerPoint (to view lessons for certain classes) and OpenOffice allows me to use their product without making me spend a couple hundred of dollars.
Do I think OpenOffice is better than Microsoft’s Office? Of course not. It is just that the needs of both products may seem similar but are in fact different. Using applications like Word and PowerPoint for my school needs are essential and I don’t need the access of Excel or Outlook.
If I am at work and needing a spreadsheet, I would definitely take Microsoft over OpenOffice because Microsoft offers more options for customization and detailed work. OpenOffice grants you the same basic functions but does not allow you to explore the entire application of Microsoft Office. It allows for the use of simple Word documents and PowerPoint slides.
So to recap, is it worth buying the latest version of Microsoft Office when I can get the basic functions of Office in OpenOffice? It all depends on what your needs are for the products. Students mainly need the basic functions of Word and PowerPoint. People who hold down jobs may need the full product of Microsoft Office. Either way both are excellent products that serve different needs for different people.
