.doc formatting issues

[SkydiveGuy]

Is it just me or are all the MS Word alternatives not able to format the .doc document the same way MS Word does?

I took my resume (created in Office 2003, Windows) and opened it in Office 2K4:mac, iWork, OpenOffice.org, NeoOffice and none of them look the same either on screen or printed out, even between each other.

This only bothers me because when sending DOC files to those in the business world, that ALL use MS Office, my documents will not look the same as they do on my macbook.

I was able to purchase Office 2K4 on the BFD so it is not really an issuse, but, I would rather not be forced to use a Microsoft product on my laptop if I do not need to.

 

[72930]

If they don't need to be edited at the other end, .PDF files are great

 

[Sayewhat]

I've also found a few things that do not translate exactly the same. If its your resume that you are worried about, is your potential new job worth having MS on your laptop? Just keep Office on there, but only use it when you have to use it versus just using NeoOffice.

 

[IJ Reilly]

If they don't need to be edited at the other end, .PDF files are great

Precisely. If you don't need/want the files you send to be edited (and I'd think a resume is one of those), PDF is ideal. You can now use whatever fonts and formatting you like and the recipient will see exactly what you created, not their PC's version of it.

 

[SkydiveGuy]

Precisely. If you don't need/want the files you send to be edited (and I'd think a resume is one of those), PDF is ideal. You can now use whatever fonts and formatting you like and the recipient will see exactly what you created, not their PC's version of it.

I agree.... but I dont know if you have applied for a job recently, but they all want it formatted as .doc unfortunately.

It doesnt matter to me, like I mentioned before, I got Office 2004 (plus upgrade to 2008) for $31 after all rebates, etc. so it is not really an issue... but it kinda annoys me that all these programs can not get it 100% correct (or 99% for that matter).

Plus I am still running office in Windows on my Fusion so it is all good... if I NEED to have it formatted for Windows I can see it as they would.

Cant we (Mac/Win)all just get along!?

(how about this for conspiracy theory.... AAPL and MSFT have a deal with each other to only allow perfect formatting under office to drive sales of Office:mac. after all... it is ALL about making money for the shareholders)