OT: Microsoft Office FREE

[NMarti]

Yes - I was shocked too but this article (http://bigtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/13/microsoft-office-to-go-online-for-free/)in Fortune seems to make it official. They are even making it available for Firefox users which we have a lot of here. If you don't have it or can't afford their very pricey desktop version this is great news for you. Now you can save up for the next new version of Elements - whenever that may be. :D

[baycruisers]

Yes, it's true. Looks like Google has changed the playing field.

[Danudin]

Yes - I was shocked too but this article (http://bigtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/13/microsoft-office-to-go-online-for-free/)in Fortune seems to make it official. They are even making it available for Firefox users which we have a lot of here. If you don't have it or can't afford their very pricey desktop version this is great news for you. Now you can save up for the next new version of Elements - whenever that may be. :D

Don't care what the article says I am so Gun (Gates) Shy about using Microsoft products and the way they have gouged the general Public I for one won't use them ever again.

Open office does ALL I will ever need and it is given away for nothing except your agreement to help develop the product further.

You may use Microsoft but look out for the hidden agenda (Which is ALWAYS there) with any Gates inspired offer.

My opinion only.
Ron

[vawitt]

Wow - I teach the Office products and my students will skip and dance at having access to the big three at no cost. I'll sure be following this closely. Thanks for the link, Nancy!

[Sepiana]

Nancy,

Thanks for the link! It's really good news. My PC came with the student version installed -- a 3-month trial. When it expired, I didn't feel like spending so much money to convert it to the full version. But now the price is right.:D

[baycruisers]

Wow - I teach the Office products and my students will skip and dance at having access to the big three at no cost. I'll sure be following this closely. Thanks for the link, Nancy!

I see this move is part of the general shift towards web-based computing, of which Photoshop Express is a part. With broadband internet access being so ubiquitous now, it is easier to assume that we'll have access to Office from wherever we choose to work. Whether it will work as a business model, well...

Office is cheaper now than ever. Remember when it cost $400+ to buy Office, compared to $125 for Home & Student version now?

[vawitt]

If you are a student with a valid .edu email, you can get Office 2007 Ultimate Edition (http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx) (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, and more) for $60. I think that offer expires in December..probably just in time for Office 2010 to make an appearance...

[baderms]

If you work for a large company, check to see if they have a hup program. I purchased Office 2007 Ultimate version for $20 USD. :D