Right embarrassing request for info from someone who is not techie in anyway

I have never bothered having a home computer given that I can take office laptops home for work etc. As my wife and young kids are now starting to say we need something at home, I have now acquired a cast-off desktop from work which has got Windows XP on it but nothing else.

I am getting Broadband and basically want the PC to be able to:

a) surf the web and use email;

read and be able to alter Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and Adobe Acrobat;

c) be secure for viruses / security etc.

... and all this without paying the full whack for a Microsoft Office Professional pack.

Has anyone got any real ideas? :confused: I have had a brief look at Open Office etc but haven't got a clue how good this is, what it really covers etc. If anyone can spec me something that should work for all the above that would be brilliant

The latest version of Open office is pretty good, but can only deal with word and excel documents. Powerpoint it doesnt deal with though.

its possible to get office 2007 home version, which gives you word, excel and some other software, but not outlook for under £100 though.

Hi mate, your ISP should provide all you need to surf the web if you are going for broadband.

once online you can download security programms such as Norton or Mcafee, at a reasonable cost (this will also give you updates for a year.)

as for an office suite, see if a mate has a copy & is willing to let you install it on to your computer.;)

Hope this is some use.

AVG free is a good free virus checker. Been keeping me clean for a couple years now: AVG Free Advisor - Free antivirus and anti-spyware downloads

I'd stick with Open Office for Word & Excel files. I thought it opened Powerpoint now? But I may be wrong. Powerpoint sucks so I don't do anything with it.

Mozilla Thunderbird sorts my email for free and will do most of the things Outlook will.

Edit: Yes Open Offices IMPRESS:

Of course, you are free to use your old Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, or save your work in PowerPoint format for sending to people who are still locked into Microsoft products. Alternatively, use IMPRESS's built-in ability to create Flash (.swf) versions of your presentations.

:iagree:

AVG is good (and free), don't waste your money on Nortons et al, spend the money on your kids, wife, self

Equally, Openoffice is pretty good, best thing to do it download it and give it try - if you don't like it can always be removed. Personally, I don't use OO, I use MS at work and can't bothered to remember icon locations / types

Don't forget to use Firefox for browsing

Try a student version of MS office - kids entitle you to buy this cheaply as they are at school.

Star office also worth a try.

Also Zone alarm Free for firewall

i use AVG on all the computers here, also open office which does just a good job as MS Office, my daughter wasnt keen on the open office version of power point, however now she has worked it out she is pretty much a pro at it!!

AVG is the best free app I've ever used

Open Office is the worst

Open office is ok but not slick.

You could just not bother and used the Google tools and keep everything online.

https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=true&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&followup=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&ltmpl=homepage&nui=1

Don't rule out other cheap office packages and keep an eye on the PC mags you will often get a discontinued version for free.

Save money with alternative office suites - CNET.com

If you want office check Ebay for a copy of Office XP, 2000 or even 97. The difference between them are minimal.

AVG is good I prefer Avast (also free) myself.

Steer clear of Norton it's a pig and will slow your PC down.

Firefox and Thunderbird will help stop you from having endless grief from nasties.

Use Internet mail if you can, much safer to keep email away from your computer completely if possible.

Install some Antispyware such as Adaware from Lavasoft and Spywareblaster.

Don't download anything you don't need. Games, screen savers etc etc. It all adds crap. Windows isn't good at adding and removing software cleanly that's why they get slower and more unreliable over time. Deliberate?

Remember to keep them up to date. Free software will often not update automatically.

Yup - Open Office for documents

AVG for anti-virus

ADSL modem/router has built in firewall

VLC media player - much better then windows media player

Firefox for browser and Thunderbird for email

I'd second looking out for a copy of Office and license on eBay. The 2002 (XP) version is probably the best happy medium IMO.

The latest 2007 version can be had fairly reasonably, through the Education routes mentioned. If you are pondering over this, just check the spec of your PC as it is a little power hungry...

Steve