Legitimate free Softmaker Office suite...

[JSR]

I don't normally post links to software (too many spammers do that already) but, if you're after a good lightweight Office suite and don't want either the cost of Microsoft Office or the bloat of Open Office, you could do a lot worse than Softmaker Office.

For the next two weeks, they're offering Softmaker Office 2008 for Windows absolutely free as part of a charity drive.

For more information, see: http://www.softmaker.com/newsletter/2009-12-17-e.htm or http://loadandhelp.de/home-en.html

I've been using Softmaker Office in various guises since 2002 and they've recently released Softmaker Office 2010. A few months back, they offered Softmaker Office 2006 for free (still available from www.softmakeroffice.com).

If your Office Suite needs aren't already being met, you may want to give Softmaker Office 2008 a go. It's free until the end of the month (it's not a trial version, it's the full version and you'll be able to use it forever) and you'll be helping a charity at the same time.

If the mods or admin feels this post is inappropriate, please delete it.

[John G]

Hi JSR,
Just a quick question - can it open documents that have been created in microsoft software.

Cheers John

[JSR]

It's compatible with Microsoft Office - in some instances, more compatible than Open Office (http://www.softmaker.com/english/ofwpress_en.htm#ct).

The 2008 version won't handle the new .docx format (2010 does, as does the free Textmaker Viewer - http://www.officeviewers.com/).

You can set it do default to .doc and .xls if you wish.

One key benefit of Softmaker Office, if you decide to pursue it, is that there are versions available for almost any device. I run Softmaker Office 2002 on my old HP Jornada 720.

If you use and register the free Softmaker Office 2008, expect to receive favourable pricing for upgrades. When they first offered Softmaker Office 2006 for free, they sent an email around within a fortnight to upgrade to Softmaker Office 2008 for £20. A couple of months after that, they did a BOGOF.

So I now run 2002 on my H/PC, 2008 on Windows (running off a USB stick), 2008 on Linux (I like a dabble), and 2008 on my Dell Axim PDA. Another laptop in the house runs the free 2006 and will be running the free 2008 very soon. I've only ever paid the full price once (back in 2002). If they ever do a version for the iPhone/iPod Touch, I'll be opening my wallet.

For a time, I ran OpenOffice from a USB stick but it was incredibly slow and bloated. And my version of Microsoft Office is from 1997 (I do have Word 2000 ). For me, Softmaker Office ticks many boxes.

[Paul]

I don't normally post links to software (too many spammers do that already) a charity at the same time.

If the mods or admin feels this post is inappropriate, please delete it.

Hi J! I dont think this is a spaming! If the soft is worth to hava a longer look then why not post the link? not only graphic software is needed in subli business. so every little helps

[GoldRapt]

I agree with paul
Good on ya J

[Justin]

Not seen this software before. I moved over to Open Office and was quite impressed, especially as I didn't have to use MS anymore but I'll take a look at this one.

Justin

[JSR]

Not seen this software before. I moved over to Open Office and was quite impressed, especially as I didn't have to use MS anymore but I'll take a look at this one.

Justin

OpenOffice is, of course, a good alternative and has the bonus of "all upgrades are always free". I used it on-and-off for a time when I started running most of my apps off an SD card (something you can't do with Microsoft Office). Unfortunately, it was pretty slow to run (we're talking 90s before you can do anything) and bloated (quite a few hundred precious MB) - neither of which is an issue when you're running off a local hard drive install.

Having not used Softmaker since 2002, I didn't give it much thought because I had no plans to spend money. It was only when the 2006 version was offered for free that I stepped back into it again. Running off that same SD card, it's hugely quicker than Open Office (about 5s to run rather than 90s) and a lot less bloated (~80MB rather than 400MB). It's been my Office app of choice ever since.

No database for the time being, though. (They're working on it.)

[JSR]

I don't know if anyone here runs Linux but, after 28,500 Windows downloads, Softmaker are now offering Softmaker Office 2008 for Linux for absolutely nothing as part of the same charity drive.

See: http://loadandhelp.de/home-en.html

Cor, and I paid £25 six months ago!

[Justin]

Got it downloaded and installed last night, quick and painless! Had a quick look and it seems quite impressive. i'm going to do the next few jobs through it to see how I get on.

Justin

[JSR]

One year on and the Softmaker guys are doing it again.

As part of a charity drive, you can download Softmaker Office 2008 for Windows and/or Linux completely free of charge.

Just visit: [url="http://www.loadandhelp.de/home-en.html]http://www.loadandhelp.de/home-en.html[/url]

They're currently working on a version of Softmaker Office for Android smartphones and tablets, so if you feel that you might one day need a cross-platform office suite, now's your chance to get the desktop version for free.

And you'll be helping good causes, too. Their aim is to beat last year's €6089 donation.