[Incorrigible]

$400.00 for a word processor

Where are you shopping????

Microsoft Works Suite includes the full version of Microsoft Word and tons of other stuff you wont find in open source all for $76.95.

NewEgg.com

Microsoft Works Suite 2005 helps your whole family handle daily tasks more easily and enjoyably by providing a great collection of six popular Microsoft programs for one great price.

Get Microsoft programs that your whole family can use, including Works, Encarta Encyclopedia, Picture It! Premium, Streets and Trips, and Money
Helpful features such as ready-to-use templates and automatic spelling and grammar checks make it easy to create professional-looking documents
Create and complete home projects quickly with 500 templates for letters, resumes, budgets, greeting cards, photo projects, and much more.

[frogjerk]

Microsoft Works Suite includes the full version of Microsoft Word and tons of other stuff you wont find in open source all for $76.95.

Why shell out $76.95 when OSS is free?

[kevkrom]

Since when has a full version of Word been available in Works? (This package doesn't include Excel, Powerpoint, or Access, either.)

[ShadowAce]

Where are you shopping????

It's been a while since I priced MS Office (Pro), but that was the price I last saw. If it has come down, great!

Get Microsoft programs that your whole family can use, including Works, Encarta Encyclopedia, Picture It! Premium, Streets and Trips, and Money

Works--OOo I can use and so does my whole family
Encarta--Are you serious? You've never heard of the Internet for fact research?
Picture It!--Most any graphics program works just fine. None of us (my family) are professional photographers anyway.
Streets and Trips--Rand McNally does the same thing
Money--Gnucash is perfect for my small business and family finances.

MS offers me nothing that I can't get somewhere else--usually better, cheaper, and more reliable.

[Redcloak]

I don't know if this is still true, but MS Works used to be seen by the MS Office upgrade as a valid product to upgrade from. Thus one could buy Works and the Office upgrade for less than the full-install version of Office.

Of course, if one does not require Office (i.e. you're not in a position where you must guarantee file compatibility with a customer), then there's no sense in spending a dime on Office. OOo is more than enough program for most users.