New computer - need opinions

[TCI]

Just got a new windows 8.1 laptop. I use to use QuickBooks Pro - don't need that much info anymore - just basic checking and credit card reconciliations. I use to use Microsoft Office for Word/Excel/Outlook - just need basic word processing, spreadsheet that will let me use my existing files. Also an email program I can put multiple email accounts in. I also currently use Frontpage for building my website. I don't believe that works on 8.1. OK, I need suggestions on other RV's use for these. All info is Great!!! Thanks again for all the ideas.

[captinharry]

CloudDriver wrote:
After some 15 to 20 years of using Quicken, I switched to the free KMyMoney a few months back. While the look is different, the functionality is pretty much the same as Quicken.

thanks for this information, 1 question can the past data in quicken be imported into KMyMoney ?

[BluegrassRanger]

I use Office 2013 on my Surface Pro but have used Open Office in the past. It should serve you well. I too used FrontPage 2000 to maintain a few websites. It loaded on my Surface Pro running Windows 8.1 just fine. I have had no issues continuing to use it. There are other more modern tools out there but if you're used to it and it works for what you do then why change?

[Naio]

I like Jarte for a small, lightweight word processor.

[camperforlife]

Ranger Smith wrote:

getontheroad wrote:
I would also take back the laptop, get a Microsoft surface pro...best investment I have ever made!

Agreed . . . My Surface Pro 3 is the best machine I have had. Wouldn't trade it fir anything.

I love my Surface Pro 3 as well but hate the crappy keyboard. I'm on the 3rd one in 4 months.

[tenbear]

Another vote for Libre Office.

[Campfire_Time]

Libre Office is Open Office, but it's a bit more advanced and stable than OpenOffice. There was a time when Oracle stopped active development and the companies that were part of the OO consortium left to develop Libre Office.

I use Libre Office. I also recommend Thunderbird for e-mail.

[wa8yxm]

OPEN OFFICE.. it is a cross platform office suite that can open files creatd by most (if not all) Small Squishy (Microsoft) Products,,, Many MAC and Apple products and Linux Products.

Program is free for personal use.

[Ranger_Smith]

getontheroad wrote:
I would also take back the laptop, get a Microsoft surface pro...best investment I have ever made!

Agreed . . . My Surface Pro 3 is the best machine I have had. Wouldn't trade it fir anything.

[1775]

TCI wrote:
Just got a new windows 8.1 laptop. I use to use QuickBooks Pro - don't need that much info anymore - just basic checking and credit card reconciliations. I use to use Microsoft Office for Word/Excel/Outlook - just need basic word processing, spreadsheet that will let me use my existing files. Also an email program I can put multiple email accounts in. I also currently use Frontpage for building my website. I don't believe that works on 8.1. OK, I need suggestions on other RV's use for these. All info is Great!!! Thanks again for all the ideas.

You should still be able to use Quickbooks Pro on 8.1. Even though it has more features than you need now, you know it, own it, so just use it for the features that you want now.

Open Office or LibreOffice - basically the same software and both are excellent free replacements for MS Office and fully compatible including compatibility with older file formats. The original developers of Open Office split off from that project as it was not going in a direction they liked and created LibreOffice.

For Email - Thunderbird - multiple accounts (no limit) including Gmail, etc. - POP or MAPI. Developed by Mozilla - has a calendar add in and the calendar has its own add on to make it sync with Google calendar.

As to Frontpage - there are many open source webpage editors. Just Google and take your pick.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

https://www.openoffice.org/

my cousin who is a computer guy told me about Open Office (Apache). It's free and works great. Been using it for years. Suite of products.

[CloudDriver]

I have been using the free LibreOffice for a number of years. It can read and write Microsoft Office Word and Excel files and can be set to automatically save in MS Office format. I believe that the only real issue with these files is that Visual Basic macros will not work with LibreOffice.

Also a big fan of Mozilla's Thunderbird email client.

After some 15 to 20 years of using Quicken, I switched to the free KMyMoney a few months back. While the look is different, the functionality is pretty much the same as Quicken.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Office 365 comes with 1 terrabyte of online storage and licenses for a I think 4 accounts. Open office works if you don't need compatibility but it's worth the money for me to go back and forth with docs at work and from coworkers.

Mint.com (Intuit) is a good free website and app for basic budgeting and expense tracking. You can't make any transactions through the site but I like that as a safeguard. I just use my bank for bill pay..

Frontpage is dying and many hosts no longer support it. I used it once upon a time. There is not a replacement that offers the ease and options. There are much better programs but they are harder to learn. There are easy online tools through GoDaddy and others but they aren't as powerful.

[RoyB]

I have been using LIBRE OFFICE here for sometime since retirement and my programs I brought home from work don't work anymore. LIBRE OFFICE dos my DRAWINGs here great... Used to have AUTOCAD LITE from Work...

I don't think LIBRE OFFICE does a MS OUTLOOK type program however for EMAILS...

I am going to be in same boat here when my WIN 7 gets auto updated to WIN 10.0 soon... Will lose my registered MS OFFICE 2007 program when that happens I think....

I still run my XP PRO computer some but always afraid I may get zapped one of these days. I keep all of my FREE ANTI VIRUS programs updated on it.

I had a great setup here after retirement using my two M90 laptops and multi-monitors and other hookups supporting my emergency radio things with home and RV's. All went down the tubes when MS dropped XP SUPPORT...

Roy Ken

[getontheroad]

I would also take back the laptop, get a Microsoft surface pro...best investment I have ever made!