open source alternative to MS Office

[tyoungs]

Just got new laptop and previously wife's work IT folks loaded MS Office to our home computer. They can't do that this time (new owners) and so I am looking for suggestions on alternative to paying full boat for MS Office. We have files for Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Publisher. What do you suggest for alternative.
Thanks in advance,

[dieseltruckdriv]

We have Libre Office here at home, and I always choose Google products instead. They are just easier to use, and will mostly work with each other. If you are a spreadsheet guru, Google Sheets won't translate everything, so that can be an issue, I am sure Word and Docs have the same issues, I don't care for word processor programs, so I try to limit my use of them. 😉

Regarding Google "spying" on what I do, well, the stuff is mostly free to use, and if that means I get ads targeted at my interests, whats the harm?
I would rather get kayak related ads than Preparation H (or other generic uninteresting) ads! YMMV.

[1492]

I've also used LibreOffice in the past. Also agree that if you are using Office 2016/2019 or Office 365 at work and have an enterprise license, you may want to check availability of personal use copies? My organization does, it allows us up to 5 personal copies of Office 2019 free of charge. Just a matter of signing in to Office.com, and downloading the full version installer.

[MrWizard]

inflammatory post and related posts deleted

[SageCrispin]

Give a long hard look at LibreOffice. The previously posted link to the Lifewire article should answer most questions about compatibility. I have Ms office 2007, 2010 and LibreOffice on various machines and seamlessly move docs/ss back and forth between them and to friends.

[Beentherefixedt]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
LibreOffice

I have used Apache and switched to Libre Office Suite. The reasons were simple:

There were too many times in Apache that it just did not work smoothly and well when changing a Microsoft document into an Apache doc. This is especially true with spreadsheets.

I changed to Libre Office and have never had a problem with ANY other office/Document program.

And yes it is much more efficient to go to google and search for this kind of thing than ask here. First of all a site dominated by older tech challenged folks is probably not the best choice to seek advice from. Although there are some here like myself that have been using/designing and working with high tech most of their careers. But you take your chances...

[jerem0621]

This got me curious to the offline problem with my Surface pro 2. Turns out that the Chrome Browser works great offline and allows you to create and edit previous documents offline.

Nothing works offline is simply not true.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[AsheGuy]

Gdetrailer wrote:
I wasn't going to bother, but I feel that this needs to be addressed..

My comments in red..

AsheGuy wrote:
Respectfully, you live in a different world than I do. I just disconnected from the Internet just to verify that I can still access documents, etc.

IF you are using a WINDOWS BASED PC, GOOGLE DOCS DOES NOT WORK AT ALL WITHOUT INTERNET, PERIOD., etc, etc, etc...

A quote from Heraclitus: "The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change."

I am not trying to sell anyone on Google just because I happen to choose Google for my use. I just react based on my experience when I see claims that are wrong in these forums. So, for those that want more insight:

Regarding Google Docs offline use: PC Magazine: How to Setup and Use Google Docs Offline

Regarding school use of Google products: How Google Took Over the Classroom
(Discusses the pluses and minuses...)

Regarding cloud storage (including Google) for business:
The Best Cloud Storage and File Sharing Providers for Businesses for 2019 Addresses security...

[Gdetrailer]

I wasn't going to bother, but I feel that this needs to be addressed..

My comments in red..

AsheGuy wrote:
Respectfully, you live in a different world than I do. I just disconnected from the Internet just to verify that I can still access documents, etc.

IF you are using a WINDOWS BASED PC, GOOGLE DOCS DOES NOT WORK AT ALL WITHOUT INTERNET, PERIOD. Now if you are using a Google based tablet, that is a DIFFERENT STORY since you can download a stupid "App". Perhaps you could download a Google "App" for Win10, why should anyone have to..

You are correct, Google is a cloud based world but you can do a lot of things offline like create documents, access "favorite" documents that are mirrored on your PC, etc. Printing is no problem, the problems you describe with printing are a mystery to me.

Once again, using a WINDOWS PC without Internet NOTHING WORKS WITH GOOGLE DOCS.

Schools have converted to Google because it is cheaper, has better backup and sharing capabilities, etc., etc. We have two granddaughters who each have a Chromebook to interact with their school. No problems whatsoever.

Schools have gone this way because it requires NO "overhead" for the school, this does not mean it is BETTER or BEST to do so. In fact, This has TRAINED kids to be flat out stupid, they don't have a real world grasp on how to use REAL programs that they WILL be encountering in the REAL WORK WORLD.

I work in a HIGH TECH REAL WORLD COMPANY, we STILL USE REAL PROGRAMS LIKE MS OFFICE, SQL SERVER and so on.. There are hundreds of thousands of companies still in operation today that will STILL be using these programs in the future.

Just because you "personally" find Google Docs appealing does not mean that EVERYONE finds it the same.

Today' kids have been done a great disservice by schools taking the shortcuts and cheaping out by using Google docs.


You are free to use whichever platform you are familiar with, but should not bad mouth those that you do not understand. I use Google products extensively and travel a lot with rare instances where lack of Internet access is an issue.

You are free to use whatever you wish, but the REAL WORLD MAJORITY of companies would disagree and most may have policies against using non approved third party software or "Apps".

The company I work for SUPPLIES FULL MS OFFICE PRODUCTS ON OUR IT PCs as a matter of GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES. We deal with a lot of PHI (PERSONAL Health Information) which IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE "CLOUD" via third party apps. Using Google Docs because Google controls the data means we no longer have FULL CONTROL of that data, I would be in breach of my employment contract if I used Google Docs for work purposes.

Even our IT PCs are locked down to the point that even using an external drive must be setup to be fully encrypted for the entire drive in order to PREVENT serious data breaches.

Some companies DO take privacy seriously.

As far as the state of mind in the business world ("Now it leaves me to FIX this bad habit because in the real world of business no one in their right mind is going to use it for business.."), you might want to read..

Perhaps, YOU need to take into consideration that when you use stuff like Google Docs, you ARE AGREEING TO ALLOW GOOGLE TO NOT ONLY STORE YOUR INFORMATION BUT TO USE IT ANYWAY THEY SEE FIT!!!

That's right, that free "carrot" has a COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT, IT COSTS YOUR PRIVACY. Google can and does examine all the content in your cloud accounts, they rake through for information on how you use it, when you use it and what you use it for. They track that info then resell that info and the outcome is eventually you will get hit with personalized ads..

Any GOOD company already knows and understands the issue with Google's potential for raking through documents which can create data breaches at the least and at the worst breaches of contracts with other companies they may do business with..

[wa8yxm]

I have not played with MS-Office in years.. I put one of the OPEN OFFICE produts (SUN back when Apache now) on the drive.

Now back when I worked for a Political campaign (2006 I think. .. Yes it was. That is also when I upgraded my Radio license for the last time is how I recall)

I used Open office. the rest of the office used MS-Office. we had no problems editing each other's files. I just had to be careful of how I saved a file.

[TurnThePage]

I have free access to MS Office 365 but still prefer the free Libre Office.

[dieseltruckdriv]

AsheGuy wrote:
Respectfully, you live in a different world than I do. I just disconnected from the Internet just to verify that I can still access documents, etc. You are correct, Google is a cloud based world but you can do a lot of things offline like create documents, access "favorite" documents that are mirrored on your PC, etc. Printing is no problem, the problems you describe with printing are a mystery to me.

Schools have converted to Google because it is cheaper, has better backup and sharing capabilities, etc., etc. We have two granddaughters who each have a Chromebook to interact with their school. No problems whatsoever.

You are free to use whichever platform you are familiar with, but should not bad mouth those that you do not understand. I use Google products extensively and travel a lot with rare instances where lack of Internet access is an issue.

As far as the state of mind in the business world ("Now it leaves me to FIX this bad habit because in the real world of business no one in their right mind is going to use it for business.."), you might want to read this article

This has been my experience as well. Very user friendly, easy to use offline, and easy to print.

I love using Google products.

[jerem0621]

Gdetrailer wrote:

AsheGuy wrote:

tyoungs wrote:
Just got new laptop and previously wife's work IT folks loaded MS Office to our home computer. They can't do that this time (new owners) and so I am looking for suggestions on alternative to paying full boat for MS Office. We have files for Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Publisher. What do you suggest for alternative.
Thanks in advance,

It seems you are talking about personal use instead of doing work related work. Google apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) are free, can open MS documents, and have a similar (or easily used) interface. I've been using them for years, not paying for MS apps.

Just be aware, Google docs only works if you are online, no Internet connection and you have nothing, no word processor and no files..

Google docs also has a lot of short comings like saving (doesn't like to save to your PC), printing (has to "create" a temporary PDF on your PC, then you can print the PDF) and on and on.. Retrieving files from this poor excuse of software is often a frustrating of a nightmare undertaking of epic proportions.

Yes, I have been dealing with this with my DD who got used to this stupidity of Google docs because of the stupid High school teachers which INSISTED that ALL students HAD to use Google docs :M for all of their work :S , spent many hrs last week helping my DD retrieve vital documents she needed to physically turn in to her Profs for finals..

Yeah, had to copy text and photos, then paste those into MS Word docs one page at a time then print them, much cleaner results than using the PDF print version of Google docs.

Now it leaves me to FIX this bad habit because in the real world of business no one in their right mind is going to use it for business..

Friends, don't let friends use Google docs..

Go with Open office or Libre office before messing around with Google docs, you WILL thank yourself many times over the years..

Time do change, Google Docs works great with the new type of computing. It does slow down a windows based Experience.

From my iPad I can create and edit my documents with no problem. My iPad has been My main computer for years (actually, I have been through three of them over the years)

Google drive is fantastic, Google sheets is also fantastic, Google slides is great too.

I bought a Surface Pro and it has slowed my productivity way way down. Back to my trusty IPad Air 2.

Printing is breeze by the way. I run my whole church’s document creation from Google Docs. Works AMAZING.

I also run my website from my iPad, but that’s a different conversation.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[AsheGuy]

Gdetrailer wrote:

Just be aware, Google docs only works if you are online, no Internet connection and you have nothing, no word processor and no files..

Google docs also has a lot of short comings like saving (doesn't like to save to your PC), printing (has to "create" a temporary PDF on your PC, then you can print the PDF) and on and on.. Retrieving files from this poor excuse of software is often a frustrating of a nightmare undertaking of epic proportions.

Yes, I have been dealing with this with my DD who got used to this stupidity of Google docs because of the stupid High school teachers which INSISTED that ALL students HAD to use Google docs :M for all of their work :S , spent many hrs last week helping my DD retrieve vital documents she needed to physically turn in to her Profs for finals..

Yeah, had to copy text and photos, then paste those into MS Word docs one page at a time then print them, much cleaner results than using the PDF print version of Google docs.

Now it leaves me to FIX this bad habit because in the real world of business no one in their right mind is going to use it for business..

Friends, don't let friends use Google docs..

Go with Open office or Libre office before messing around with Google docs, you WILL thank yourself many times over the years..

Respectfully, you live in a different world than I do. I just disconnected from the Internet just to verify that I can still access documents, etc. You are correct, Google is a cloud based world but you can do a lot of things offline like create documents, access "favorite" documents that are mirrored on your PC, etc. Printing is no problem, the problems you describe with printing are a mystery to me.

Schools have converted to Google because it is cheaper, has better backup and sharing capabilities, etc., etc. We have two granddaughters who each have a Chromebook to interact with their school. No problems whatsoever.

You are free to use whichever platform you are familiar with, but should not bad mouth those that you do not understand. I use Google products extensively and travel a lot with rare instances where lack of Internet access is an issue.

As far as the state of mind in the business world ("Now it leaves me to FIX this bad habit because in the real world of business no one in their right mind is going to use it for business.."), you might want to read this article

[Gdetrailer]

AsheGuy wrote:

tyoungs wrote:
Just got new laptop and previously wife's work IT folks loaded MS Office to our home computer. They can't do that this time (new owners) and so I am looking for suggestions on alternative to paying full boat for MS Office. We have files for Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Publisher. What do you suggest for alternative.
Thanks in advance,

It seems you are talking about personal use instead of doing work related work. Google apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) are free, can open MS documents, and have a similar (or easily used) interface. I've been using them for years, not paying for MS apps.

Just be aware, Google docs only works if you are online, no Internet connection and you have nothing, no word processor and no files..

Google docs also has a lot of short comings like saving (doesn't like to save to your PC), printing (has to "create" a temporary PDF on your PC, then you can print the PDF) and on and on.. Retrieving files from this poor excuse of software is often a frustrating of a nightmare undertaking of epic proportions.

Yes, I have been dealing with this with my DD who got used to this stupidity of Google docs because of the stupid High school teachers which INSISTED that ALL students HAD to use Google docs :M for all of their work :S , spent many hrs last week helping my DD retrieve vital documents she needed to physically turn in to her Profs for finals..

Yeah, had to copy text and photos, then paste those into MS Word docs one page at a time then print them, much cleaner results than using the PDF print version of Google docs.

Now it leaves me to FIX this bad habit because in the real world of business no one in their right mind is going to use it for business..

Friends, don't let friends use Google docs..

Go with Open office or Libre office before messing around with Google docs, you WILL thank yourself many times over the years..