Buying XP and office on Ebay

[vernon]

I have a dissertation to do, everything at college is standardised, so that is why I need an up-to-date windows system. We also have a hell of a lot of stats to do as well.

Basic Open Office isn't very good re referencing making a contents page etc.

The computer I got from York Uni has been reconditioned, however only has free operating software.

I getting the general impression that I should shell out and get a new computer. Its not really possible for me at the moment as I'm a self supporting student and don't really have the finances to spend on expensive equipment.

Open office is fine at making a contents page and referencing.

Microsoft Office has been abandoned by my school and there is very little that OpenOfice can't do that had been done with MS Office. It's just a matter of getting used to it.

The documents created by OpenOffice can be saved in MS Office format.

 

[Carwash]

If you are doing a lot of stats you don't need MS Office, you need R real statistic software and it is free...

+1 for R. Also, gnuplot for snazzy graphs.

 

[sheva]

I tried software4students before, Askham Bryan College doesn't provide a .ac.uk address. My current computer only has ubuntu software, so I will find it difficult to upgrade using the offers from the website.

I thought XP was more trustworthy than Windows 7, I'm willing to give it a go though.

I'm not all that good at understanding the process of updating software, I struggled on last year using my very old computer with windows 98. So would be grateful for any help.

Thank you

Debz

My lads there and we bought from software4students using a college address. Ask again, they should be able to help you.

 

[Jezston]

OpenOffice Calc is certainly NOT suitable for doing stats work, nor is it really suitable for doing anything at all, really.

It's good that OpenOffice is free, but the commuity developing it is rubbish.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

OpenOffice Calc is certainly NOT suitable for doing stats work, nor is it really suitable for doing anything at all, really.

It's good that OpenOffice is free, but the commuity developing it is rubbish.

That's a bit harsh. For general home use it's probably more than most users need, and I agree your stats point but that applies equally to Excel.

 

[mr Mag00]

The problem i have had with openoffice, now dropped it for office, when downloading forms form the net openoffice completely alters the formatting. no matter of adjusting can make it work properly. real shame.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

The problem i have had with openoffice, now dropped it for office, when downloading forms form the net openoffice completely alters the formatting. no matter of adjusting can make it work properly. real shame.

Hm... not a bug I've come across but never used OO or MS office to download forms that I can recall.

They do both have some 'quirks' - for instance I find that copying things from websites to spreadsheets works much bettter in OO than in MS office; and the text to columns feature is 'better' in OO than MS. However I still don't really like the way the filters in OO work... anyway, a bit off topic.

I'd be interested to see an eg of a form that doesn't download properly for my own info - although this is now way OT so perhaps a PM would be better!