Microsoft Office 10 ..

[odbguy]

So it turns out I need this on my laptop although I am too tight to purchase it myself ..
I know there are a few IT guru's out there who surely must know of a way downloading it for nothing ??

[BBROWN1664]

There are plenty of ways to get the software for free (try google). The problem is you need a key to make it work properly if you want more than an evaluation period.

Why do you need Office 2010? Would OpenOffice do the job instead? That is free.

[odbguy]

Yeah iv been looking on Google and there's various links but most seem to be for the new 365 version others seem to be viruses.
I could try it free for a month or so but need it for a few months really.
I have enrolled on a computer course and like the prized idiot I have only just realised my laptop doesn't have any version of Office . 10 is the advised version for the course.

[BBROWN1664]

Here is a link to the Microsoft Evaluation copy.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/ee390818.aspx

As you have seen, Microsoft are pushing to try to get everyone to use Office 365 but you can still buy 2010 licences if you look hard enough. 2013 is the current version though.

[odbguy]

Cool thank you

[unfazed]

What parts of Office do you require It has 5 Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access and Outlook.

I used to be a network administrator for more years than I care to remember and found most people only used about 20% of the functionality of the programs

Kingsoft office now WPS office, Open office and Libre office are very good replicas of Microsoft office and they are free. Kingsoft Office is 2013 is as close a copy of Microsoft Office Word Powerpoint and Excel as you can get

I have used both and installed them for many who did not require a database.

Thunderbird is a god free replacement for Outlook

[odbguy]

Hey unfazed. I will definetly look into them options thank you.
Although it's a requirement to run at least Microsoft 2010 for the course.
The course I'm doing is split into 5 modules each with 30+ hours of work with word, spreadsheet etc and it will be for  using those programs to there fullest using advanced techniques to ensure maximum productivity ... apparently after the course you can apply for some title as an 'expert' something or other .. 
Soo yeah ... after this course I will probably like many others only use 20% like you say ..  lol

[Rikki]

You can use Office online for free:

https://office.live.com/start/default.aspx

As far as I can tell it does everything the paid-for version does. You only need an internet connection to use it. Not sure if you can save your work onto your own computer, but you can save it on their 'cloud'.

[BBROWN1664]

Rikki, you can "save a copy locally" but as you say, you do need to be on-line to use it.

Personally I wouldn't use that version for anything other than "playing" as you have no real control over where the document ends up so make sure you don't put any sensitive information into there.