No Microsoft Office

[northboy]

I am looking for an alternative to the above to write out a CV.
always thought Microsoft office was free with windows8,but obviously not.

[gen2]

I use the free 'OpenOffice.org' and can open and save all the usual formats.

[Buenchico]

Microsoft Office costs mega-bucks!

The most popular free alternative is Apache OpenOffice (which is used by many schools, police forces and other public bodies wishing to avoid adding to Bill Gates' fortune):
http://www.openoffice.org/

However LibreOffice also has an increasing number of fans. It's based upon the source code for Lotus software, which used to be the main commercial rival to Microsoft Office. When the company behind it withdrew from the commercial market, they placed the source code in the public domain:
https://www.libreoffice.org/

The other big freebie is Kingsoft Office Suite Free 2013, which has an excellent review in the current issue of 'Computer Act!ve' magazine:
http://www.ksosoft.com/product/office-free.html
(NB: If you download that suite of programs, take care to de-select any offers of additional unwanted software).

If you only want a word processor (rather than a full office suite), Abiword might be best for you:
http://www.abisource.com/

Whichever program you choose, take care when using the 'Save' option, as most programs automatically save in their own format, rather than in Microsoft Word format. (If you use the wrong format, people who receive your CV won't be able to view it in Microsoft Word). The trick is to select 'Save As' (rather than just 'Save') and select the Microsoft Word format. Alternatively, in OpenOffice, you can change the default 'Save' format to Microsoft Word:
http://voices.yahoo.com/how-set-openoffice-writer-save-as-microsoft-11017880.html

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS:
The only one of the above programs which I've tried is OpenOffice (which I've got on my netbook). I find it easy to use and, most importantly, the people I work for have no problems reading my reports when viewed by them in Microsoft Word.

[Connemmara]

On the advice of some OPs here I downloaded Abiword - very successfully and couldn't believe it is very very like Microsoft - I have typed professionally and for me it was the nearest to Microsoft Word - also have Open Office - but Abi done the business - do take care regarding saving a document it's a bit different to Micro - good luck.

[northboy]

thanks chris

[craft1948]

I'm on Windows 7 and thanks to Chuck I bought a copy of MS Office from Amazon for £37....................

[Alston]

I find Open Office excellent for Personal files which are then stored on my computer. However, it is not always possible for recipients of my E/mails to open attached documents which have been prepared by using Open Office.

Al.

[galeck1947]

You might like to try Kingsoft Office Suite which is free and will work with Windows 8