Steve Smith, host of your Technology Questions Answered, suggest three free office solutions for students who need office software for their courses.
Episode #1-50 released on September 11, 2011
Welcome to the 50th episode of Technology Questions Answered, which effectively makes it the last episode of this Season 1. Today, I'll be talking about three free office software solutions for students.
So let's start off with a fact, some of your student out there, you may be too young to remember this. When I was a kid, I had to write everything by hand, and the spell check was handled by my dictionary, and verifying manually each word that I wasn't sure of. Even then, with my hand writing, it is almost unreadable. The thing is, handwriting is locked at a really early age, and since people only really start to annoy students later down the line, its usually too late.
Today's student are at a distinct advantage. Typing into a word processor eliminates virtually all spelling errors, and with newer office software, grammar checks of words are done to verify that they right word is being used. Since, handwriting is no longer a factor, your work stands out more, and is easier to read. A lot of students, pre-computer, used to have lower marks because no one could read their work, despite having each of the words spelled right.
Now, paper, pencils and pens aren't expensive for students, so what is the point of such an episode. Well, office software can run in the hundreds of dollars, unless you are a student, so about $125 to $150, with proof of academics, in many cases. Some new computers come with such software, but uselessly with a time based license of 30 to 90 days, not nearly enough time for the whole school semester or year. So, this is what I decided to do. Today, I will save you all hundreds of dollars on software by giving you three choices that you can decide from.
The first, Open Office, compatible with just about any operating system on the market. Absolutely free, contains a word processor, spreadsheet, math, drawing, database, presentation, etc... software. And best of all, open source.
The second, LibreOffice, also, compatible with just about any operating system, a descendant of Open Office, and absolutely free. Also, contains a word processor, spreadsheet, math, drawing, database, and presentation, etc... software. Also, open source.
Lastly, Google Docs. Free to use, online, no installation required, works in all operating systems that support internet access. You can access your files anywhere, so if you forget your homework, at home, or in your dorm, you can still give it in.
All three programs work regardless of your operating system, so if you use a Mac or PC, Windows, Linux or Mac OS, it doesn't change a thing. And best of all, they are all free.
Next week, I'll be starting Season 2 of Technology Questions Answered, and I'll be talking about advertising, buzz words, and knowing what can actually happen to your computer.
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Host : Steve Smith | Music : Jonny Lee Hart | Editor : Steve Smith | Producer : Zed Axis Productions