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A Publication Featuring The Information Services Technology of Maine State Government
| Volume IV, Issue 11 | November 2001 |
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An Editorial By Bob Dudley
Many folks have asked to take the new standard office suite software home to install on their home PC. Now that we are using Microsoft Office, the licensing structure doesn't allow for this. As many have found out, using a home product sometimes just doesn't fit the bill. You need the "Hi-Test" software to get the work done.
Well, here are my choices for real software you can use at home absolutely FREE!! And all you really need is an Internet connection from home to get it.
Office Suite Clone:
602Pro Office Suite 2000 is a free download from http://www.software602.com. It includes a full featured word processor, spreadsheet and photo editor. There is even a spell check that is free when you register the software. Registration is free as well. There are some requirements for this one. You will need to have Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater installed. This product will open MS Word and Excel documents as their own. Some macros may not work properly, but being able to work in the same style as the one on your work desk is a plus! The download is about 10 megs in size. You can also order the optional CD-ROM for $9.95. The CD has all of their software on it in trial format as well as the 602Pro Office Suite 2000.
Useful Tools:
For users of MS Outlook 2000 both at home and work can now sync up all data at both locations without a floppy. At http://www.fusionone.com, you can download and install fusionOne on your desktop at work and at home. This internet application will copy your calendar, contacts and tasks from Outlook to the web-site and then you can "sync" them to your home PC when you get home. And this is a free service! Very useful for those folks that work from the office and home.
Ever lost the address of a web-site you liked because you upgraded your PC? Fear not! Blink is here. Blink, http://www.blink.com, is a free service that will allow you to keep your favorites on their service for free. If you opt for the BlinkPRO (first 30 days free), you can backup your favorites in Internet Explorer and restore them when, and where, you want.
I would be interested in hearing about other free or reasonably priced software that you think is useful at home. I’m especially interested in software that compliments the State’s standard desktop. I’ll include your suggestions in a future editorial – just send your ideas along to rdudley@quixnet.net.
Bob Dudley is an ISSS 1 in the Department of Human Services' Division of Technology Services and assigned to Region One for support in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford offices. He may be reached by e-mailing robert.dudley@state.me.us.
