[Windows]

SoftMaker, the authors of an MS Office compatible office suite, are offering some free document and spreadsheet viewers.

The document viewer is called TextMaker Viewer and is able to open and view the following file types:

The spreadsheet viewer is called PlanMaker Viewer and it can view the following filetypes:

Both TextMaker Viewer and PlanMaker Viewer will run under Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.

Download SoftMaker Viewers here

If you’d like to see other ways to open, view and edit MS Office files, take a look at some of this post:   Free Microsoft Office Alternatives

Microsoft left out a key ingredient in it’s recipe for getting everyone to use it’s newly released Microsoft Office 2010. They failed to offer Office 2010 upgrade discounts to the current users of Office 2007. What’s up with that?

There is still hope for those wanting to save money on Office 2010. Microsoft is offering free upgrades to 2010 for those buying and activating Office 2007 or upgrading from Office 2003 to 2007. The best savings are for those upgrading from Office 2003 to Office 2010, as detailed in a post at PC World. The post mentions that there are several restrictions on the free upgrades. Due to the restrictions, many people and companies will still be paying a lot of money for a full featured and modern office suite. I have to wonder if MS Office is really worth all the trouble. After all, there are several free alternatives to MS Office.

Many companies, home users, local governments and schools have saved big money by scrapping Microsoft Office and switching to Open Office 3.2. Since Microsoft Office is so expensive, now is a good time to ask yourself if OpenOffice, which is completely free, could replace your existing Microsoft Office 2007. OpenOffice has a some great FAQs that can help you decide if it’s a good deal for you. Take a look at “Why OpenOffice.org“.

There are plenty of questions raised when considering the cost of an office suite. Have you asked all the right questions?

MS Office 2010

OpenOffice.org

In a blog post on the official Microsoft Office blog, the Office team has detailed their roadmap for the next iteration of Microsoft Office Office 2010. The highlights from the blog post are:

• Office 2010 RTM next month
• Office 2010 retail availability in June
• Free upgrade to Office 2010 for customer to purchase/activate Office 2007 starting today
• Business range of products that includes Office 2010, Sharepoint 2010, Project 2010 and Visio 2010 to be available from May 12.

The free upgrade program is known as Office 2010 Technology Guarantee and is a free online service. To be eligible for the free upgrade, you must fulfill the following conditions:

• Purchase Office 2007, or a new PC with Office 2007, and activate it between March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010.
• Have, or create a Windows Live ID.
• Redeem your Tech Guarantee before October 31, 2010 by visiting www.office.com/techg.

Here is some news for people who buy Office 2007 (not for those who already have them), you will get a free upgrade to Office 2010, if you buy a copy of Office 2007 between March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010.

However, not all versions quality for a free upgrade. Only users who purchase Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Office Standard 2007, Office Small Business 2007, Office Professional 2007 or Publisher 2007 will be eligible to receive an upgrade to a similar Office 2010 upgrade.

According to a now deleted post from Charles Van Heusen’s blog (Google cache link), here is how you can be eligible for an upgrade.

Purchase Office 2007—Customer buys qualifying Office 2007 product (with or without a new PC) from an authorized reseller between March 5 September 30, 2010.

Install and Activate Office 2007—Customer installs and activates Office 2007 by September 30,2010.

Download Office 2010—Customer simply downloads Office 2010 for free when Office 2010 is available, or orders a DVD for a fee. Customer must request upgrade by October 31, 2010.

Is it Worth It?

Take a look at the comparison below for pricing difference between Office 2007 and Office 2010 which was derived from the Office 2010 pricing.

• Office Home and Student 2007 costs $149 and so does the 2010 version – NO Benefits
• Office 2007 Standard costs $399.95, Office Home and Business 2010 version will cost $279 – Loss of $120
• Office Small Business 2007 costs $449.95, Office Professional 2010 version will cost $499 – Benefit of $50
• Office Professional 2007 costs $499.95, Office Professional 2010 version will cost $499, Loss of $.95

As you can see, users will only get some benefit if they purchase a copy of Office Small Business 2007, all other versions either give you no benefits or lose you some money in the bargain.

Another interesting thing about this deal is that the deal is actually available thru September 2010, so I am guessing that Office 2010 will start selling in October 2010 rather than June 2010 as we had earlier told you. Looks like October is now a somewhat lucky month for Microsoft, their last product Windows 7 has definitely given them a reason to smile and it was released in October 2009.

Please note, all the rates were taken from the official price list available at Microsoft. These prices do not include deals you will get by buying the Office 2007 products at a third party site.