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Users are brainwashed into thinking they need MS Office. Yeah some do
but many absolutely do not. I put together a (better than average) system for a client and I placed
OpenOffice2 on the system because I’m not being sarcastic here... I know what
type of documents they create so I knew the special word processing feature
they require is word-wrap. :-) I also make sure there are other useful open source and free NON-Spyware
items which mimic and exceed the trial-ware that normally comes bundled on the
low end systems. And I take the extra time to make sure the common codecs are
installed so they don’t run into problems trying to play videos etc. All
in all I put a bit of effort into making sure the hardware and software equates
to a really nice system within their price range. His secretary called me wailing about the fact MS Office wasn’t
installed. I explained that OpenOffice is just as capable and more capable in many
areas. She insisted they need MS Office. She wouldn’t even try
OpenOffice. I looked up the best price I could find online and offered to install MS
office for them when if came in. In a disturbed tone she said her computer at home came with MS Office
as though I was ripping them off. I explained that if her computer came with MS Office she paid for it as
an additional cost hidden in the price of the computer. She acted pissed and said her friend has a copy of MS Office she can
install for free. I had to bite my tongue. I run into this all the time with MS products where there is a nearly equivalent
or better free and/or open source alternative. Had I known of these 2 articles at the time I could have pointer her to
them though it’s likely she wouldn’t even read them and even if she
did, I seriously doubt (no matter how convincing the articles are) that she would
even consider anything other than MS Office. http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/replaceframewithwriter.html The following is about an old version of OOo but nevertheless
it’s a good read. http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/openofficewriter.html Anyone else know of any good Open Office articles? |