QUOTE(rridgely @ Nov 15 2006, 10:12 PM) [snapback]54870[/snapback]
Believe me I'm all for openoffice.(I use it all the time and even got staroffice)
But in a business environment I don't think its a wise decision. Especially if your using customized access and excel files all the time. For Word files and even powerpoints openoffice does fine but I wouldn't rely on it for the others, especially when money/time is on the line.
When I downloaded OpenOffice, over 1yr.ago, it told me there were tracking cookies and that deleting them or disabling them would cause the program to not work. I installed anyway to try it as I had heard good things about it and I didn't have $500 for MS Office Pro. After two weeks of watching my brand new HP computer perform slowly, I uninstalled OpenOffice. Not everything uninstalled properly and me being a newbie and having a brand new computer, it was easier at the time for me to re-install complete OS. Except for the one week-end, I made the mistake of putting in a Sony DVD, yes DVD, not CD, and it fubarred my system, another re-install as it reformats the drive as well, the OS works beautifully. I would use Open Office if I had too, but in meantime, would be saving money for the real thing.
So I suggest, as has been said, if you need it for work, contact your employer! It worked for me.
Just an additional thought, why isn't every1 down on car manufacturers? If every1 operated their vehicle as recklessly as their computer, would we then be on their case. MS OS's and IE 6/7, can be operated as safely and as efficiently as any Corvette.