An interesting on-line discussion about how to free yourself of Microsoft, which brings up OpenOffice - is at the following link. You may need to register to see it, but it's free I think.
RM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2005/12/07/DI2005120701789.html?referrer=email Friday, Dec. 16 11am ET Just Say No to Microsoft How to Ditch Microsoft and Why It's Not as Hard as You Think Tony Bove Author Friday, December 16, 2005; 11:00 AM Bove traces the company's rise from tiny startup to monopolistic juggernaut, maintaining that the company's practices have discouraged innovation, stunted competition, and helped foster an environment ripe for viruses, bugs and hackers. Tony Bove edits the Inside Report on New Media newsletter and writes for magazines including Computer Currents, Nextworld, the Chicago Tribune Sunday Technology section, and NewMedia. He co-founded and edited Desktop Publishing/Publish magazine and has written 20 books on computing, desktop publishing and multimedia. Tony Bove: Chances are, you already use Microsoft software. And you think you have little or no choice but to use it. But you can get off this unsafe habit and even save a few bucks in the process. You can live in the Microsoft-dominated world, work with others who use Microsoft software, participate in Microsoft-based networks and even share Microsoft-related resources, all without having to suffer like a typical Microsoft user. "Just Say No to Microsoft" tells you how to get out of the way of the Microsoft juggernaut and avoid getting sucked into the monoculture of virus attacks and bad software. It also shows you how to work successfully with computers and people who are still hooked on Microsoft software -- even to convince them that you, too, are using Microsoft products -- without ever coming into direct contact with the stuff. www.tonybove.com.
