Aqua-Soft ForumsI have had Microsoft Office in the past, but dumped it because I decided to quit with the pirated software. I then went to openoffice, but I recently visited my parents and they had a copy of Corel Office 2002 that they hadn't even opened. Does anyone know of any non-MS office software worth having?
Office Software...
Office XP, pirated of course (like all my other software) 
C'mon guys, I dont like microsoft either, but stealing? Please dont discuss piracy, it just pisses me off. You CAN get MS Office for free, legally, take me for expample. 
I am a beta tester for them, Im currently using Office 2K3 and its REALLY powerful, a great program except for one thing: Resources! same problem as every other version, the latest one uses about 80% CPU just idling, and ive got a 2Ghz P4. 100% when typing too, ouch! Dont get me started on RAM use either.
Open Office is great, its what I was using before, completly free, and good enough for almost everyone. Get some nice open source dictionary files though.
I was just about to get Star Office before I got accepted into the office2k3 program. Its wonderful, it runs on Linux AND Windows, and is only $70. Ive used the linux version, and its pretty fast and powerful. Not a complete hog like Office (oink oink).
How do I become a beta tester?
Microsoft will make an announcement. and Betaplace.com is their official beta website.
Do you know of any other sites where I can sign up to be a beta tester?
Originally posted by contrasutra@Apr 10 2003, 09:23 PMC'mon guys, I dont like microsoft either, but stealing? Please dont discuss piracy, it just pisses me off. You CAN get MS Office for free, legally, take me for expample.
I am also beta testing MS Office 2003 beta 2, however i'm not getting that large resource use problem. When ida it uses 0% cpu and when typing only 1% or 2% on a 1.7 ghz computer. However it is a little bloated on memory usage about 20 MB, but i really like it much better than older MS Offices. 
Yeah, its better than older versions. Ive submitted a bug report to Microsoft, so maybe they'll respond. They've been pretty good about that. On most of the bugs I submit, I get a live person to talk to, thats pretty nice.
I just realized Beta 2 expires in November, that SUCKS! I cant afford $500 for the final version. Im just going to get Star Office, I dont use 90% of the Office2k3 features anyway.
Betasites:
neowin.net
ntfs.org
xbetas.com
slashdot.org
They all post stuff about betas, but by the time it gets to slashdot, its probobly too late.
but I really dislike its interface. Its too fisher-price.
Yeah, I thought XML would do it well. All it is is the same crappy icons, just in higher res. Thats an improvement i guess. At least we can have like 16 pixel icons now. Oooooh, and shadows!...sorta.
And skinning? All it does is change the background to match the VS. And i have grey/brown skins on a lot, and it makes Office look like the "Classic" (no)skin.
Office XP. Outlook 2002 blows big harry stuff though! CANNOT WAIT for the new one, the current outlook is severly pissing me off 
Originally posted by contrasutra@Apr 10 2003, 10:23 PMC'mon guys, I dont like microsoft either, but stealing? Please dont discuss piracy, it just pisses me off. You CAN get MS Office for free, legally, take me for expample.
Open Office is great, its what I was using before, completly free, and good enough for almost everyone. Get some nice open source dictionary files though.
I was just about to get Star Office before I got accepted into the office2k3 program. Its wonderful, it runs on Linux AND Windows, and is only $70. Ive used the linux version, and its pretty fast and powerful. Not a complete hog like Office (oink oink).
Holy sh##! Pardon my language but dang. Microsoft really doesnt know how to write software for their own operating system, if their f***ing word processor idles at 90% cpu usage. A word processor shouldn't take a fraction of that power. Geez, save it for the 3d applications that actually demand that kind of power.
I personally hate most all applications Microsoft creates, INCLUDING WINDOWS. But, hey, what else am I gonna use on a wintel machine??
I hate word, the entire office package for not only pc but also Macs (although its a little nicer on Macs), lets see, I absolutely despise outlook, and I could take a sh## on notepad, paint, and all those other crappy little accessories that come along with their horrid os. KEEP THEM AWAY!!
I just dont like their interface designs and their layouts. They always have to make things so complicated!! If you want to perform the simplest action you have to go digging through menus and tabs just to find what your looking for. Its almost like you have to be a pro at each application just to take full advantage of them. But, thats basically how Microsofts entire operating system works!!!! Luckily, I am now a pro at managing and dealing with Microsoft and their crappy programs and operating system's.
The only reason I haven't made the switch...
money.
Ill have one soon enough, though.
I heard Apple was coming out with iWorks, which is basically the equivalent of office x, but the Apple way. (and what I mean by that is that Apple has completely designed and developed the applications from the ground up). It is supposed to include Document, which apparently is their new name for their word processor, and some spreadsheet and database applications. But, all of the applications are completely seperate from one another, but they can work together.
Its kind of like iLife, but for documents and data processing instead of digital media. When I get my Mac I'm definitly getting that instead of PUKE 
Office X by MIRCOPUKE. Infact, I'm not gonna let a Microsoft document touch my Mac. Not even a word file. I will force that person sending it to me, to convert it to Mac format before I will even download to my hard drive. Send it back! I dont want your micropuke sh##!!
Jmitch: You sound like the perfect candidate for Linux? Have you considered it? It runs on your wintel machine (answer your question?)
Its free, customizable, and so much more
Well, yes, maybe I am. It has been suggested to me before. But, I am also a gamer, and how many games run on linux? I have given it thought. But, heck, why get into linux when soon I will be free. MAC OS X BABY.
Game situation hurts in linux. There are a few games that are released for Linux like warcraft 3 and the sims, etc. However, not many.
Originally posted by juniperlater@Apr 11 2003, 11:18 PMGame situation hurts in linux. There are a few games that are released for Linux like warcraft 3 and the sims, etc. However, not many.
Yep. Exactly. <_<
I should tell you that the benefits outweigh the bad. I have used linux for a short time. The only reason I am currently back to windows is because I am too stupid at this point to keep my dual monitor system running well. (It crashes occaisionally) That is one thing about Linux, you have to be a power user of windows already before you begin using Linux or it will swallow you whole. You will HATE it if you cannot figure things out. If you would consider yourself a power user, then I say try it out at first dual boot, then later upgrade to only using Linux. Just my thoughts.
Yeah, definitly dual boot for games and other necessary apps.
But you dont have to have any knowledge to run Linux. Your just so use to Windows, youve got to re learn things.
UT2003 is also for linux, and thats the best game!! Thats the main game I play, so I dont have to boot into XP too much anymore.
If you want to know more, just ask. There are lots of Linux users in the forum. Just dont ask "what distro is best" you will start a flame war (well, ill flame at least).
Man, this topic really went down hill... and off subject...
Person asked what do we use for Office 'like' applications... and turned into a flame war on MS Office, the reasons to move to Linux, and gaming...
Well lets get back on subject people...
I personally do not use MS Office...
I use OpenOffice 1.02 its completely FREE, its competely MS Office compatible. i.e. OpenOffice Write = MS Word, OpenOffice Calc = Excel, OpenOffice Impress = PowerPoint, the only thing that it doesn't have is a Outook equivalent, also your save files are cross compatible with the MS office products.
Its only 50mb in size, and did I mention its FREE.
1.1 Beta of Oo.o is better.
And whats so wrong about going a little off topic? We werent really flaming anything. MS is OK to flame, its in the board rules, go check.
Dude, this isnt a flame war. We are simply expressing our opinions for Microsoft's Office suite. And it sucks. Freedom of speech buddy. If you dont like it or dont want to hear it, dont come to this thread.
Anyways, about linux, there is another reason why I would tend not to get into it. None of these aqua apps work with it. How am I supposed to have an os x emulated pc with linux??
I've been using MS Word since it was on DOS, and keep using it 'till now (well, not the DOS version anymore!)
Outlook XP, although I haven't understood why MS didn't add newsgroups support (have to use Outlook Express or NS) and automatic mail checking when I connect to internet.
There is some Aqua emulation software for Linux. If you you KDE, you can get it looking pretty snazzy, without any "reshacking". But theres no real dock and transparancy, so yeah, if your hardcore, you got a problem.
You'll learn to love the other looks of Linux though. KDE, GNOME,Enlightenment, and others all have some pretty neat themes and toys.
http://screenshots.haque.net/screenshots/v...enshot-1825.jpg
Jmitch,
There is a link to show what linux can do, and mine isn't the best I have seen.
PS. I started the thread and I don't care if it has gone off topic.
Originally posted by Jmitch@Apr 11 2003, 10:11 PMWell, yes, maybe I am. It has been suggested to me before. But, I am also a gamer, and how many games run on linux? I have given it thought. But, heck, why get into linux when soon I will be free. MAC OS X BABY.
there is always dual booting, one partition for windows and the other for linux....use linux for everything you need, and windows for the games
unless you are so afraid of windows you think it might corrupt the partition by evil-ness or something 
oh yea, OS X does rock