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You may have read on the Brandstar Blog many reviews about the latest version of Microsoft Office (2007). But some people want an alternative, either because the cost of Office can’t be warranted for their purposes or because they just want something that isn’t Microsoft.

A pretty brilliant piece of software called OpenOffice exists and is available free of charge! That’s right FREE! OpenOffice consists of applications much like Microsoft Office does. These being Writer (much like Word), Impress (like Powerpoint), Calc (like Excel), Base (like Access), Draw and Math.

You will notice that there is no equivalent for Microsoft Publisher, so if that is what you are after then you might have to cough up for that! Otherwise Open Office offers a decent package that looks and works much like the more commonly used Microsoft Office.

With so many people using Microsoft Office you need to ensure that choosing an alternative package isn’t going to cause problems sharing files. OpenOffice can open Microsoft Office files and can save as Microsoft Office files.

I could go on and on but if this might be of use then check out the website at www.openoffice.org and download it now! You can download it with or without the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). You need this to run the software so if you don’t have it installed make sure you download the right version.

Personally I still prefer Microsoft Office (especially 2007), there is just a more finished feel to it. There is also one more application missing from OpenOffice, Outlook! And I use Outlook with the calendar function every day of the year so certainly couldn’t do without it!

But for those not doing a great amount with an Office package then this is a great way to save yourself some cash!

Enjoy and let us know what you think