Microsoft Office

[getbent]

I need to purchase Microsoft Office for my college classes. A friend of mine said she just purchased one for her son to use and saw/heard somewhere that there was going to be a change where currenct office user may have to pay for an upgrade? (maybe $40??). I tried google but I haven't located anything except the new Windows coming out in Oct. Maybe that's it. TIA.

 

[Dev]

Windows 8 has been released already. It may depend on the school, but you might get a deal on microsoft products through MSDNAA

 

[jrt_ms1995]

Windows 8 has been released already. It may depend on the school, but you might get a deal on microsoft products through MSDNAA

Actually, they're free through MSDNAA (that does still qualify as a deal, though), depending on the courses you may be taking.

So what school are you attending? CSM?

MSDNAA - College of Southern Maryland

 

[getbent]

Actually, they're free through MSDNAA (that does still qualify as a deal, though).

So what school are you attending?

Im taking classes at CSM. There was a link for info on possible free software (at the college bookstore site) but it said Microsoft Office wasn't included.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

Im taking classes at CSM. There was a link for info on possible free software (at the college bookstore site) but it said Microsoft Office wasn't included.

That would depend on which version of Office you require. Office 2010 has been removed from the MSDNAA offerings (I just downloaded it myself from there this past February), but Office 2007 is still available (I just checked). Many of the individual component applications of 2010 are available (but not Word or Excel) if your requirement is for one of them.

Now, is Office required, or do you just need a productivity suite for general use typing reports, etc? There are free alternatives such as LibreOffice and OpenOffice.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

That would depend on which version of Office you require. Office 2010 has been removed from the MSDNAA offerings (I just downloaded it myself from there this past February), but Office 2007 is still available (I just checked). Many of the individual component applications of 2010 are available (but not Word or Excel) if your requirement is for one of them.

Now, is Office required, or do you just need a productivity suite for general use typing reports, etc? There are free alternatives such as LibreOffice and OpenOffice.

I was slightly wrong; Office 2010 is still available through MSDNAA, but now they're trying to sell it ($89.95 until Sep. 14) instead of giving it away free. Can be found under "Special Offers" once you've logged in (though "Special" might not be the word I'd choose).

 

[getbent]

That would depend on which version of Office you require. Office 2010 has been removed from the MSDNAA offerings (I just downloaded it myself from there this past February), but Office 2007 is still available (I just checked). Many of the individual component applications of 2010 are available (but not Word or Excel) if your requirement is for one of them.

Now, is Office required, or do you just need a productivity suite for general use typing reports, etc? There are free alternatives such as LibreOffice and OpenOffice.

What is required for the course I'm taking is Excel 2010 or I believe 2007 will work. I will prob need all of them at some point. I'm only 12 credits into my 60 some credit degree.

 

[getbent]

I was slightly wrong; Office 2010 is still available through MSDNAA, but now they're trying to sell it ($89.95 until Sep. 14) instead of giving it free. Can be found under "Special Offers" once you've logged in (though "Special" might not be the word I'd choose).

Yeah, it's barely cheaper than Best Buy.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

What is required for the course I'm taking is Excel 2010 or I believe 2007 will work. I will prob need all of them at some point. I'm only 12 credits into my 60 some credit degree.

I'd definitely ask the instructor if 2007 was acceptable before buying 2010, then. Is this for Decision Support Systems with Ms. Drake?

 

[getbent]

I'd definitely ask the instructor if 2007 was acceptable before buying 2010, then. Is this for Decision Support Systems with Ms. Drake?

Yes. I had like 3 different Microsoft Office on my computer but they were all trial versions. Only 1 of the Excel's is letting me work with it but I'm not sure if that's a fluke and how long that will last. I really wish they would just give you the Office Suite with the computer and then you could pay a smaller fee to update it. :/

 

[jrt_ms1995]

Yes. I had like 3 different Microsoft Office on my computer but they were all trial versions. Only 1 of the Excel's is letting me work with it but I'm not sure if that's a fluke and how long that will last. I really wish they would just give you the Office Suite with the computer and then you could pay a smaller fee to update it. :/

Office is a big moneymaker for Microsoft, and $89.95 is a very good price compared to regular retail like a business would pay. I doubt they'd still exist if they permitted it to be bundled with every computer purchase (or more likely an entry level computer would then cost $300 more than they do presently).

Register with MSDNAA anyway and see what's available. At a minimum you can get a legitimate full version of Excel 2007, and likely at some time in the future (though maybe to late for this course) Office 2010 will be free again. And look into LibreOffice at this link.

 

[getbent]

Office is a big moneymaker for Microsoft, and $89.95 is a very good price compared to regular retail like a business would pay. I doubt they'd still exist if they permitted it to be bundled with every computer purchase (or more likely an entry level computer would then cost $300 more than they do presently).

Register with MSDNAA anyway and see what's available. At a minimum you can get a legitimate full version of Excel 2007, and likely at some time in the future (though maybe to late for this course) Office 2010 will be free again. And look into LibreOffice at this link.

I tried but it says I have to contact my instructor.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

I tried but it says I have to contact my instructor.

Strange, nothing like that was required when I registered in February.

Reading through everything at MSDNAA - College of Southern Maryland it does appear quite a lot has changed recently. For example, there's no mention of downloading the software directly, which is what I did in Februrary with Office 2010, 2 weeks ago with Windows XP, and yesterday with Windows 7. And the CSM site specifically reads that Office products are excluded, but they're definitely there (excluding the 2010 suite, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) on the MSDNAA site.

 

[czygvtwkr]

What class is it for? I seriously doubt that the Microsoft version is a hard requirement. I know open office can save files in the microsoft format amd for engineering type work open office spreadsheet actually had better engineering functions built into it until the most recent versions of Microsoft Office.

 

[ShyGirl]

Microsoft Home Use Program

See if you qualify for the Microsoft Home Use Program.

 

[getbent]

What class is it for? I seriously doubt that the Microsoft version is a hard requirement. I know open office can save files in the microsoft format amd for engineering type work open office spreadsheet actually had better engineering functions built into it until the most recent versions of Microsoft Office.

Its an ITS class : decision support systems. Her Syllabus said excel '07 or '10 only.

 

[czygvtwkr]

I am familiar with what syllabus's say vs what is reality. Had many classes with 4-5 "required" books that were never opened.

 

[getbent]

I am familiar with what syllabus's say vs what is reality. Had many classes with 4-5 "required" books that were never opened.

Id be real upset if that was the case. Books are expensive. I got one of my excels to work. I submitted the assignment. Hopefully she was able to open it.