thatboyChase Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 It seems like alot of people have it and I have an ancient version. I think it is time to convert over to help beta readers and editors rather than sending notepads. Anybody know of a location where I don't have to go through the mire of crap that is on the Microsoft site? I have to download office then when I do it won't fully download and all this office stuff. Anybody have any suggestions? Please and thank you.
Site Administrator Graeme Posted August 3, 2009 Site Administrator Posted August 3, 2009 I didn't think you could download a legal copy -- you have to buy one. I've just upgraded to OpenOffice 3.1.0 and that's what I use for communicating with my beta-readers and editors, AND also for doing beta reading when required. As long as I don't get .docx files, I can read word files. I had a problem with embedded textured backgrounds when I was using version 2, but I haven't checked that with version 3, yet. Not everyone likes OpenOffice, so if you really want to get MS Office 2007, I think you'll need to go out and buy one. Sorry.
thatboyChase Posted August 3, 2009 Author Posted August 3, 2009 Well, for instance David M is doing some work for me and sends me Docx stuff and I cannot open them. That is MS Word right? I figured I could do the trial, but is there a Word only trial?
MikeL Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I use the old MS Word 2002 and find it reliable. My wife uses the Open Office word processor and has no problem reading and revising Word documents. I would certainly try Open Office for free before I would give Microsoft any of my hard earned money.
CarlHoliday Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I have 2007 (bought it at Best Buy when I bought the new laptop), but I still save all my files as Word 97-2003 documents to ensure Word doesn't clog up the works with a bunch of irrelevant code. It's those .docx files that mess it up. When sending files to my editor I just hit F12 to bring up the Save As menu and select Word 97-2003.
Mark Arbour Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I didn't think you could download a legal copy -- you have to buy one. I've just upgraded to OpenOffice 3.1.0 and that's what I use for communicating with my beta-readers and editors, AND also for doing beta reading when required. As long as I don't get .docx files, I can read word files. I had a problem with embedded textured backgrounds when I was using version 2, but I haven't checked that with version 3, yet. Not everyone likes OpenOffice, so if you really want to get MS Office 2007, I think you'll need to go out and buy one. Sorry. I use Open Office too..and love it. Plus it's free.
thatboyChase Posted August 3, 2009 Author Posted August 3, 2009 Carl, when I do that I can't even find that Word thing, do you know of a specific extension to search for it? Or is that an internal issue I need to deal with. Should I just snag open office?
shadowgod Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 microsoft offers a plug in to allow older versions of office to read / edit docx files http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en
thatboyChase Posted August 3, 2009 Author Posted August 3, 2009 Shadowgod got it, thanks. And thanks to the rest of you.
Rilbur Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 Open Office can read, but not save in, docx format. It won't associate itself with the format, however, so you have to manually open the file every time (annoying, yes!)
hh5 Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 Google Docs gives access to writing like in word and its available as long as you have internet connection and its free and universal. just like gmail etc etc
Jay Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 You could also try Open Office. It's free and you can get it at openoffice.org.
colinian Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I have 2007 (bought it at Best Buy when I bought the new laptop), but I still save all my files as Word 97-2003 documents to ensure Word doesn't clog up the works with a bunch of irrelevant code. It's those .docx files that mess it up. When sending files to my editor I just hit F12 to bring up the Save As menu and select Word 97-2003. Actually, the new Word docx format eliminates all of the irrelevant code that's been hidden in .doc files. It's easy to see that's the case by looking at the size of a file I received to edit, a 123 page draft of a novel. It came as .doc format; I opened and saved it as .docx. The original .doc file is 189 KB. The .docx file is 78 KB. The .docx file is 41% as large as the .doc file. An impressive size reduction, IMO. Colin
Hoskins Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I hate Word but use it anyway. It's like eating at Subway. Mediocrity is the default state of affairs.
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