MS Works/Word etc?

I have a legal copy of MS Work on my desktop I got with a previous desktop, and I do all my writing on that, and all is merry. I jsut got my laptop and I want works on there so I can do my writing, especially since I can't open Works files on Wordpad. However, I can't find my installation CD and copying the files doesn't work because there's no setup file.

All I can find online is a trail version of office that includes Word, which I guess I can download as a last resort, but eh, I know Word is better but I like works, plus trial versions arent that awesome when it comes to programs I use as much as a word processor. I need a program that can open Works files and which be opened my Works (for if I want to put a laptop file on my compy). Any suggestions of what I can do?


Gah I hate losing things. Annoying enough I lost I-Tunes CD too and downloading that takes eight years on dial-up, which is all I have because I've yet to figure out how to get public wireless to work.

 

try openoffice.org I'm not sure if you can open works files or not, but it is worth a try.

other than that, you'll have to get the installation disc. You should be able to find works fairly cheap. I would look online at buy.com or other computer stores as well as your college bookstore if you are a student

 

thanks. I shall try openoffice if I can. It's a damn huge file for dial-up to download 0__o

And gah. I'd really prefer not to buy it if I don't have to. I hate losing things. Lost my I-Tunes CD too apparently and that's easily downloadable but also really huge >.<

 

I'd go with Southerngirl and say OpenOffice, basically very similar to MS Office, but Free

 

Start downloading before you go to bed. Or go to the library/coffee shop that offers WiFi broadband.

 

The file is huge. I give up on trying to do it on dial-up. If I get a wi-fi connection, then I shall try there I guess. I can't do it overnight cos mother will ***** at me for being online late. Though wikipedia claims Works files cant be opened by OpenOffice :/

Might just my Works. Yet another of too many expenditures, but on Newegg the OEM version comes out to $18 including shipping. Which is um, a lot less then what it costs in stores.

 

I don't know why wikipedia is saying (well not really "saying" as it isn't human, but whatever) that Open Office won't open Works files. There shouldn't be an issue as long as you save whatever document in a format that both pieces of software recognize (like .doc, .txt, .rtf), as opposed to the default file format for Works.

As far as the huge file size of Open Office, definitely go by a library or coffee shop and use their wifi. From your first post it sounded like you aren't able to connect your lappy to public wifi. If this is the case, post whatever issues you are having and I'm sure someone will be able to assist. Your notebook looks pretty awesome...it sucks if you can't use the wifi.

 

Well, you can try Abiword it is a lot smaller and has the ability to open word docs just fine, among other file types, and best of all it is FOSS (free and open source).

http://www.abisource.com/

 

The problem is it has to open the works format files too because I have writing I started/did in Works and I hafta be able to access it...though I guess I could resave each on in a different format on my desktop...but grr...

Not sure about the internet issue. Tuesday there was a wifi connection in my school library but after my laptop connected I still couldnt go online with either Firefox or IE. But Wed there was no wifi in there at all...so dunno if it's me or my school that's the problem.

and thanks I'll look at that one

 

I guess your options are twofold. Try Open Office or Abiword and see if it handles the native Works file format. If it does great, if it doesn't, then resave the Works documents into the .doc format. You could also just decide you are happy with Works and get a copy from Newegg. Hmmm...I guess that's more than two options.

As far as your wifi issue....Were other people using the wifi when it was working at your school? Are you letting Windows manage your wireless connection, or is it an Asus program doing this? Once you know which software is managing it, simply open that program and it should show you which networks are within range (along with their signal strength, security, etc.). If nothing shows up, your wireless may be turned off (my Acer has a button that toggles this), so then you will need to ensure it is on. This is sometimes tied into power management software, as having your wifi turned on uses more power. Most public networks don't have any real security, though they might filter mac addresses, so check with your helpful librarian (or computer people) about this.

Good luck with all this.

 

It was definitly my school network's fault. Which isn't that surprising, as the NYC Education Dept. isn't exactly steller lol. At the public library right now and connected/using internet without a problem.

I downloaded and installed AbiWord today at home because it wasn't too big a file to download. It didn't open work documents. Seemed like a good enough program though, so I sucked it up and re-saved each and every one of my works documents in my writing file to rich text format. Nice and universal. Was quite tedious but eh. So AbiWord it shall be.

Using the library internet to download I-Tunes. Not as fast as I thought it would be actually, but still better then dial-up.