Microsoft Office Programmes

[taichiperson]

Yet another question - I can't seem to get past Microsoft's selling spiel. I'd like to pick and choose my Office progs. I'd like Word, Excel and Publisher - I've rarely or never used the others ie One Note and Powerpoint. Do I have to buy the whole kit and caboodle?

[SlackAlice]

For Word and Excel why not use Open Office, its free as well. Not sure about Publisher

[Jackdaw33]

Agree with Slack. Why pay for something you can get for nowt?

[taichiperson]

I suppose largely because I'm used to them and it gets harder to adapt to new systems as one gets older. In particular I've tried free publisher programmes in the past and found them very creaky and quirky. I had Publisher many years ago and found it very easy to use.. But I may just give the free ones a go anyway, thanks.

[Jackdaw33]

I cannot honestly tell the difference between Microsoft Word and its Open Office equivalent, and I'm no spring chicken

[HansUrbancka]

@Jackdaw33.....I know what you are saying about word processing programmes and I agree with you. Free ones are as good as purchased item.

However, you cannot be a spring chicken if you are a jackdaw.☺☺☺

Hans.

[Jackdaw33]

LOL!

[Buenchico]

As others have said, OpenOffice Writer and Calc are every bit as good as Word and Excel:
https://www.openoffice.org/

(It can help to get them to automatically save in Microsoft formats though, so that people you email files to can access them in Microsoft Office programs. Easy instructions here: http://helpdeskgeek.com/office-tips/set-openof%EF%AC%81ce-org-to-save-in-microsoft-of%EF%AC%81ce-format-by-default/ )

For DTP, Scribus is superb
https://www.scribus.net/
but, because it offers so much, it's got quite a steep learning curve.

Serif PagePlus SE is far more intuitive. It's now been retired from the Serif website but you can still download it from here:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/Serif-PagePlus-SE.shtml
(After clicking 'Download', click on 'Softpedia Mirror (US)')
If you need an activation key for it, use this one:
PLX7U-SER01-11922-28148-12864