office stuf

Since I work in the computer industry, in sales, I am often confronted by disappointed people who were hoping that Microsoft Office would be included in their purchase. I know that when most people use any kind of productivity software they are used to thinking in terms of Microsoft, but you do have a choice. Lately in the tech news it has been somewhat interesting as some State governments are expressing concern about using Office™ as it can only save its documents in a proprietary way. Realizing that, long term, the data that is being stored will be much more valuable than the software being used to record it, there has been some backlash to Microsoft, pressuring them to come out and use standardized file formats for their documents. So what does this really mean? Up until now, most people knew that if they were going to work on a project at home, they must have a copy of the program at home in order to do their work, and since Microsoft has done such a good job selling itself to corporate America, as well as to governing bodies around the world, guess what program you would need at home as well. That'’s right; you guessed it, Office™.
Now, if this is still an issue at the place where you work the information I have for you won'’t help you out right now, but what about many of us who don'’t even work in an environment where this is an issue? I'’m here to tell you that there is an alternative, and (would you expect anything else from me) it'’s free! That'’s right, there is software that you can use to get all your productivity done, because most of the time the only thing we need is the end result. What is this amazing product you say? Allow me to introduce you to OpenOffice.
This little gem comes with almost everything you'’ll ever need: word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and image manipulation. Put out by Sun Microsystems, and recently partnered with Google, you'’ll probably hear much more of it in the months to come, but allow me to be one of the first to let you know of it. Good luck, have fun, and save your money!