DISQUS

ChangeForge: ChangeForge | Ken Stewart | Where business and technology collide » Why do you still use Microsoft? (Office vs. Open Office vs. Google Docs)

  • Tsudohnimh · 1 year ago
    In short, I don't. I'm an ardent user of OpenOffice. I am fortunate to have MS Office at my disposal for no cost but I still choose OO. I find the word processor to more intuitive and better at outlines (I'm a big outline guy). My work mail backend is an exchange system so I do have Outlook installed but OWA serves my purposes well so it isn't a deal breaker.

    I have a fundamental problem with a office suite costing more than an operating system.

    Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 @ 466.99
    Microsoft Windows Vista Business - upgrade license @ $183.99
    (CDW Pricing as of 5/12/08)

    I estimate that only 10% of Office users are enough of a power user to actually need MS Office. Considering that a Small Business of 15 users could save $6070 if 90% of their users switched to OO I don't think there is much of an argument.

    Tsudohnimh
    KnowtheNetwork.com
  • ChangeForge | Ken Stewart · 1 year ago
    So even in collaborative environments using SharePoint, you would disagree? I am reaching back in my brain, and you know I have never actually tested the interoperability of OO's spreadsheet program with SharePoint... Hmm, something to try in the office tomorrow.
  • Tsudohnimh · 1 year ago
    In a sharepoint environment I think you need MS Office. I've never tested OO with Sharepoint but I'd be surprised if it was usuable.

    However I would consider the cost of MS Office as part of the total cost of ownership of Sharepoint instead of solely the Sharepoint sticker price.

    Sharepoint is awesome stuff but if MS Office is a necessity I must consider that as the client software costing a couple hundred per. That might effect my initial decision on Sharepoint integration.
  • wino · 1 year ago
    If you compare the features of Powerpoint w/ those of Google Spreadsheet, it's no brainer people use Office or at least Open Office over Google's lame wannabe. Try get a handy animation going, which is a simple task in any desktop office software. The web-based apps just can not get it done. The shameful thing is seldom any of these web app proponents admits it while it's plain and simple to see they are NOT up to the standard of desktop apps within minutes of usage.
  • ChangeForge | Ken Stewart · 1 year ago
    Wino, I agree completely. The online solutions are simply light replacements and have a stretch to go before they are considered complete.

    I am looking forward to testing SlideRocket, but it is not a viable option until they come out with their offline client.
  • jones78999 · 5 months ago
    I have gotten at leat 50 times the value from Google Docs