This week we begin a series considering the essential services the
average person should expect from a computer, and some of the choices
that are available. The intention is to outline the diversity of
solutions and to build up a picture of what a well-functioning and
reasonably up-to-date computer looks like.
When you sit down in front of a computer, be it your own, a work one or someone else's, there are some basics that you should expect to see. There will of course be an operating system (such as Windows XP, Apple OS X, or Linux) but the operating system in itself does little more than enable “applications” to work.
One of the standard facilities is the office suite, so called because it includes the various applications that enable office-type work such as the production of documents, communicating with other businesses and individuals, and the creation of marketing/sales material.
The vast majority of people will be familiar with Microsoft Office in its various guises and versions – Office is made up of a word-processing application (Microsoft Word), a spreadsheet application (Microsoft Excel) and usually a few other applications depending on the type of Office product purchased. Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Outlook are examples. The ready availability in Vanuatu of pirated top-of-the-line version of Office means that many people have the 'full' product even if they do not know what some of it does!
(A word of warning to those that make use of pirated Microsoft software – the screws are turning, and Microsoft are increasingly demanding proof of ownership of a valid licence before they provide updates, fixes and downloads).
Other office suites include Microsoft Works (a cut-down version of Microsoft Office aimed at home users but generally not worth bothering with), Lotus SmartSuite, and OpenOffice amongst others. OpenOffice has recently been released as a major upgrade and is highly recommended – it is your writer's word-processor of choice, and as free software its price doesn't get any better. If you want to legalise your office suite, give OpenOffice a trial (it runs on Windows, Apple and Linux).
Note that a new computer may not include an office suite – unless it is an optional extra that has been 'bundled' in by the supplier. If you own or are responsible for computers, spend a few minutes thinking about what you really need before choosing an office suite. Not only could you pay more for software you never use, but it will also clog up and slow down your system. If in doubt, consult the computer stores around town for a recommendation.
More next week, on the Internet.
Discuss this or any other IT topic online with VIGNET (Vanuatu Internet User Group) - register free, all welcome!
Any IT questions & comments? Email
- Tony Phelps is part of the Merlin Pacific IT team, dedicated to effective & efficient business IT.
