[jongaltsr]

I have been using Open Office exclusively for one year now.
It “may” be a little slower and it “may” be different in how it operates but the fact that it is free makes it an easy package to accept. Free is always good as long as it is comparable with MS Word.

[hoosierham]

Never mind if it is comparable to MS Word,but does it do what you need it to do?

There once were several fine word processors,spreadsheets,databases,etc,that were not clones of each other or MS stuff.

MS has won its share more through questionable ethics in marketing ,than by technical merit alone.But sometimes the competition did really dumb things,too. Nor is MS the first company to bully their way to the top-for a real eye-opener investigate retailing,especially groceries,pet products,and personal care items.

The playing field isn't level,maybe never has been;the rich kid always could come to the game with a new mitt,ball,and uniform and a private coach.