How to Choose an "Office" Suite of Programs

Office suites are integrated software packages containing word-processing, spreadsheet, database and e-mail and other applications. Programs integrate with each other and the Internet. Office suites cost less than the sum of their parts.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft FrontPage
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word

1. Check reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to narrow your choices.

2. Choose the suite you use at work if it is commercially available and you want compatibility, or you want to save the time required to learn slightly different programs.

3. Consider that most businesses use Microsoft Office. Buy Office if you want to have current proficiency in the software your next employer is likely to use.

4. Compare Corel WordPerfect Suite and Lotus SmartSuite with various editions of Microsoft Office.

5. Compare the types of programs included in each suite. Look for a suite that contains many programs you would buy individually.

6. Decide what Internet integration features you want such as automatic HTML conversion and active links in documents.

7. Read related eHows on buying word processing, spreadsheet and database programs to understand the considerations for each type of program.

8. Consider a Works program instead of a suite if your needs are very basic.

Tips & Warnings

• You might be able to get the program you use at work free from your employer. Many employers buy multi-machine licenses for programs and are happy to have employees work at home.
• Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of any program you download or buy.

on 11/22/2005 Consider OpenOffice. Not only is it largely Microsoft compatible (including macro support), but it is also free of charge and open source.

Another great thing is the huge support community and the fact that you can run it on Linux and Windows. There is a Mac version in planning.

It also forms the basis of the commercially available Star Office from Sun.