Star Office vs. Open Office

[Jerry Frank]

Are these two products identical?

Star Office claims full compatibility with Word Perfect (important to me) while Open Office does not.

Anyone know if I should pay for what may be a slightly better product?


Jerry

[Hans Deventer]

Jerry,

I found a plugin for Open Office and now can open Word Perfect files.

[Gina Stevenson]

Depends on that for which you are using it; misplaced my Office CD, had a crash, didn't have Word, so---until someone lent me their Office---tried Open Office. At the time trying to edit a book of 400+ pgs, I had some trouble.

Are these two products identical?

Star Office claims full compatibility with Word Perfect (important to me) while Open Office does not.

Anyone know if I should pay for what may be a slightly better product?


Jerry

[Steve Reece]

Are these two products identical?

Star Office claims full compatibility with Word Perfect (important to me) while Open Office does not.

Anyone know if I should pay for what may be a slightly better product?


Jerry

I am curious, if you are considering paying for Wordperfect compatibility, why not just buy the current release of Wordperfect?

Anyway, I like Open Office okay, though I had some formatting problems when I imported a Wordperfect document that used fixed width fonts. Needless to say I am staying with Wordperfect and have now installed Word 2007.

[Jerry Frank]

I don't know why I didn't think of that, Steve. I guess I was a little (or maybe a lot) miffed at the fact that Vista wouldn't run it so my mind didn't go in that direction. :)


Jerry

[Steve Reece]

I don't know why I didn't think of that, Steve. I guess I was a little (or maybe a lot) miffed at the fact that Vista wouldn't run it so my mind didn't go in that direction. :)


Jerry

Which version of Wordperfect are you not able to run? I have the 2002 version (10 I think) and have no problems running it on Vista.

[Jerry Frank]

It is version 9 which I think is from the 2000 edition. It installs OK and opens fine but you cannot access the help file because Vista no longer supports the required dll, and you cannot save anything.

As I mentioned, QuattroPro will save the file but you cannot open it again from within the program. However, if you double click the file name, it will open.

Since these basic issues do not work, I have not bothered trying more detailed functions to see if they work.

Jerry

[Steve Reece]

It is version 9 which I think is from the 2000 edition. It installs OK and opens fine but you cannot access the help file because Vista no longer supports the required dll, and you cannot save anything.

As I mentioned, QuattroPro will save the file but you cannot open it again from within the program. However, if you double click the file name, it will open.

Since these basic issues do not work, I have not bothered trying more detailed functions to see if they work.

Jerry

Your're right. I can't run help either. But there is an easy solution. Download the Win32 help program for Vista from the Microsoft website and you are back in business. I just installed the program and my old help is working again.

Here for the site:
Download Win32 Help for Vista (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6EBCFAD9-D3F5-4365-8070-334CD175D4BB&displaylang=en)

Here for the KB article:
Win32 Help for Vista KB article. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607)

[Jerry Frank]

Thanks Steve. But you missed the less prominent comment at the end of the line. I cannot save files from Word Perfect 9.

I think my best bet is to buy the latest version. I only really need Word Perfect and QuattroPro and that is available in the cheapest version. On the other hand, I suppose if I only need it on occassion, I can just leave it on my old desk computer and use it there when necessary.

Jerry

[Steve Reece]

You're right, I missed the part about not being able to save, etc.

You've probably already tried these things, but I'll suggest them just in case:

1. Right mouse click the icon and select "Run as Administrator".
If this works, you can change it to always run that way in the icons properties.

2. Right mouse click the icon go into properties try various compatibility modes, XP, Win98, etc.

[Jerry Frank]

Thanks Steve. Never assume anything when it comes to trying options like this.

I usually get to know my software quite well but how it interacts with the OS, well that is a different story. I may make an adjustment at some point in time but then, 4 years later when I have to do it again, I have forgotten what I did. :basic04

I will try your suggestions when I get home tonight.


Jerry