Okay, I'd like to run a word processing app natively in OS X but I don't want to shell out over 300 bucks for MS Word. I was looking at Appleworks for OS X but I remember it being a tad anemic when I was using it in OS 9.x and I feel that Apple just gave up in that department and let Microsoft take over. I'm very reluctant to buy a ovepriced Microshlock product. I was looking into StarOffice by Sun Microsystems and it looks great but there is no OS X version. You'd think they'd port it over but noooooo. Freaking strange. I thought the CEO of that company had a blood-rivalry with Bill Gates. Well, what do you all think?
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Tired of overpriced MS Office
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have you checked the price for PC products? much cheaper. I think they are trying to justify the amount of work put into it vs. the sales aspect. However, if it was within a resonable price range (including photoshop) I would snarf both up. However, time being, we all have food to buy.
I see that as the leading cause to limewire, carrocho etc....
I see that as the leading cause to limewire, carrocho etc....
I have been using AppleWorks for OS X for some time now. If you only want it for word processing, and a good spreadsheet application, it's the way to go. I have the latest version running at home, it's fast to load and doesn't come with useless crap.
If you need to get a copy, PM/email me and I might be able to help you out.
If you need to get a copy, PM/email me and I might be able to help you out.
OpenOffice.org
Keep an eye on OpenOffice.org. They're planning on releasing a version of OpenOffice for Mac OS X.
http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/index.html
k.
Keep an eye on OpenOffice.org. They're planning on releasing a version of OpenOffice for Mac OS X.
http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/index.html
k.
alternative word processors
Another word processor I have heard good things about is Mariner Write. It doesn't do quite as much as Word v.X, but is supposed to be very good. It is currently in beta, so it's free, but could be buggy.
In addition AbiWord, a word processor originally for *nix operating systems has been released for Xwindows. Depending on how ambitious you are and how fast your modem is you might want to order a cd with an installer from OpenOSX.com. I currently have this and it seems to be pretty good. However, because it is in Xwindows, the window drawing seems slow. I hope this helped.
Another word processor I have heard good things about is Mariner Write. It doesn't do quite as much as Word v.X, but is supposed to be very good. It is currently in beta, so it's free, but could be buggy.
In addition AbiWord, a word processor originally for *nix operating systems has been released for Xwindows. Depending on how ambitious you are and how fast your modem is you might want to order a cd with an installer from OpenOSX.com. I currently have this and it seems to be pretty good. However, because it is in Xwindows, the window drawing seems slow. I hope this helped.
Okito Composer
Have a look at Okito Composer. It's native Cocoa, nice interface and if you purchase now, it will cost you $39. It is still in beta version but is useable and you can give the guys some feedback and input.www.okito.net
Have a look at Okito Composer. It's native Cocoa, nice interface and if you purchase now, it will cost you $39. It is still in beta version but is useable and you can give the guys some feedback and input.www.okito.net
ThinkFree Office
Have you tried ThinkFree Office... http://www.thinkfree.com
I think it's $40 or $50, runs on OS X, Windows, etc. Based on Java, and is compatible with MS Office. You can download a free trial.
Have you tried ThinkFree Office... http://www.thinkfree.com
I think it's $40 or $50, runs on OS X, Windows, etc. Based on Java, and is compatible with MS Office. You can download a free trial.
All the solutions posted are compatible
Abiword is compatible with Word
Think Free Office - compatible with Word and Excel
OpenOsx's office - compatible with Word and Excel.
Appleworks 6.2.4 includes better translaters for Word and Excel than existed in previous versions. And for the most up to date translators for Word and Excel to Appleworks, go with Dataviz Maclinkplus at http://www.dataviz.com/ which is the basis of Applework's included translators. Dataviz's software also supports Word Perfect and Ami Pro and lots more translators. You really can't go wrong once you have Dataviz. And it is still cheaper than the retail Word and Excel for the Mac stand alone to get Appleworks and Maclinkplus.
Not to mention if you get Chronos Organizer and Eudora or Action's Up To Date/Contact (was once Now), you can have the complete functionality of Entourage. Eudora's Mac OS X native version is finally out of beta.
Abiword is compatible with Word
Think Free Office - compatible with Word and Excel
OpenOsx's office - compatible with Word and Excel.
Appleworks 6.2.4 includes better translaters for Word and Excel than existed in previous versions. And for the most up to date translators for Word and Excel to Appleworks, go with Dataviz Maclinkplus at http://www.dataviz.com/ which is the basis of Applework's included translators. Dataviz's software also supports Word Perfect and Ami Pro and lots more translators. You really can't go wrong once you have Dataviz. And it is still cheaper than the retail Word and Excel for the Mac stand alone to get Appleworks and Maclinkplus.
Not to mention if you get Chronos Organizer and Eudora or Action's Up To Date/Contact (was once Now), you can have the complete functionality of Entourage. Eudora's Mac OS X native version is finally out of beta.
So is AppleWorks *completely* compatible with MS Office?
Yeah, I'm thinking of alternatives to Office right now too. I can get a copy of AppleWorks for about $30 using my educational discount, so it's definitely worth considering for me, although maybe AlphaTech could help me *AHEM* get a discount of sorts.
Anyhow, is AppleWorks compatible with MS Office? That is, can I open and edit Word documents on AppleWorks and vice-versa without any hassles? I still use Office at work, so I can't abandon it completely. I just need to know if I can edit the documents I've made at work using AppleWorks and edit AppleWorks documents using Office all without the DataViz translators.
Thanks.
Yeah, I'm thinking of alternatives to Office right now too. I can get a copy of AppleWorks for about $30 using my educational discount, so it's definitely worth considering for me, although maybe AlphaTech could help me *AHEM* get a discount of sorts.
Anyhow, is AppleWorks compatible with MS Office? That is, can I open and edit Word documents on AppleWorks and vice-versa without any hassles? I still use Office at work, so I can't abandon it completely. I just need to know if I can edit the documents I've made at work using AppleWorks and edit AppleWorks documents using Office all without the DataViz translators.
Thanks.
Re: So is AppleWorks *completely* compatible with MS Office?
I've never had issue with opening up either word or excel files within AppleWorks 6.x. Make sure that you update to the very latest version and you should be fine. If you want to make double sure, then get the latest MacLink software as well.
I've never had issue with opening up either word or excel files within AppleWorks 6.x. Make sure that you update to the very latest version and you should be fine. If you want to make double sure, then get the latest MacLink software as well.
if you want to pirate appleworks why not just pirate v.X?? geeze, at least dont pirate crap from apple buy thier products.. and pirate Office....
How can you priate something that came for FREE?!?!?!?!?!
AppleWorks shipped for some time WITH systems, as in FREE.
That really sounds like a scam... I used to get crap like that, until I put items in place to prevent it.
Photoshop 7 alone is more then what that guys is asking for... For all you know, he could be taking your info down, and your money, and you will never see the cd. Or he could send it to you, give you enough time to install some/all of it, and then report you.
he is with http://thinkmacintosh.com/ it looks very Applish...I would have thought Apple would have a problem with someone using that much info from their site...
we're talking tons of trade mark infringements, and just about every link off the site goes back to apple...
what if I installed a demo of something and now the big boys have my name and number? that would be very microsoft like.
or what if this guy works for apple through thinkmacintosh.com, stole this software, is using Apple's email lists to sell his Wa*ez
Where's Mulder?
we're talking tons of trade mark infringements, and just about every link off the site goes back to apple...
what if I installed a demo of something and now the big boys have my name and number? that would be very microsoft like.
or what if this guy works for apple through thinkmacintosh.com, stole this software, is using Apple's email lists to sell his Wa*ez
Where's Mulder?
Hrmmm...this thinkMacintosh website doesn't appear to have the pricelist on his website. If it was on his website, or you know for certain it is from him, then report it to Apple's legal department: piracy@apple.com You might want to forward full headers of the e-mail to Apple's department as it could be a spammer just taking advantage of a nice webmaster.
Just order the academic version of Office X to be shipped to you from Australia... You'll only be up for $150USD. And yes, that's a perfectly legal copy...
but for the moment, there's not a *complete* office alternative, but there's some interesting products coming soon...
but for the moment, there's not a *complete* office alternative, but there's some interesting products coming soon...
Thanks for the feedback guys. I've downloaded Thinkfree and it's very good. I will definitely keep it as a serious contender. Sigh, oh how competition keeps developers on their toes and keeps prices on a sane level.