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Posts with tag microsoft works

Filed under: Office, Microsoft, Commercial, Freeware

Why you have to pay $40 for MS Works while some will get it free

Microsoft Works 9You know that free, advertising-supported version of Microsoft Works 9 we told you about the other day? Yeah, it turns out it's not for everyone. Any by not for everyone, we mean both that you can't just download a free copy for yourself, and that you'll probably find more of the features you're looking for in OpenOffice.org.

Microsoft has released its latest version of the Works suite, which is available for $40, or $10 less than Microsoft Works 8 had retailed for.

Microsoft plans to launch a free version of the program soon, but only as part of a small pilot program. Several computer manufacturers will preinstall the software, called Microsoft Works 9 SE on their computers. Of course, some computer makers have been selling PCs with Works preinstalled for years, but they're usually passing the cost of the software on to customers.

The ads will be viewable whether you're online or off and will vary in size depending on what Works application you're using. There's no word yet on what companies will be selling PCs with the software.

Filed under: Windows, Office, Microsoft, Freeware

Microsoft Works 9 to be free and advertising-supported

Microsoft Works 8
If you bought a cheap PC that didn't come with Microsoft Office preinstalled, or at least MS Word, you may have gotten a free copy of Microsoft Works. It's always been sort of an ironic name for a product, because it just barely works. Sure, if all you need is a basic spreadsheet, calendar, or word processor, MS Works will do. But since it can't handle most MS Office documents, Works is barely worth the $50 you'd have to pay if you actually went out and bought a copy.

All of which is to say we have mixed feelings when we hear that Microsoft plans to launch the next version of Works as free, advertising supported software. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley got the scoop on the new product from Microsoft V.P. Satya Nadella, but nobody else from the company has confirmed the details.

On the one hand, it's great to see Microsoft exploring ways to raise revenue without charging consumers an arm and a leg. On the other hand, a number of other companies have released free MS Office competitors such as OpenOffice.org, Google Docs & Spreadsheets, and Zoho. Releasing Works, a stripped down version of Office hardly seems like the way to compete.

Featured Time Waster

Forumwarz - a potentially offensive time waster

I pwn UAfter spending the better part of an hour on Forumwarz I still can't decide if it's just sick or if it's kind of fun. It's a bit like a car wreck on the highway. I know I shouldn't be looking but I can't quite turn away.

It's sick, it's twisted, it's the internet on it's worst level and darn it, it's kind of fun. At least for a little while.

Forumwarz is a parody role-playing game that takes place on the internet - or at least the Forumwarz version of it. Your goal is to complete missions that are given to you through a mock up of GoogleTalk called Sentrillion.

Your first "friend" is ShallowEsophagus who begins giving you missions to pwn various forums by being a troll. Depending on the character type you are assigned at start up, you have tools like drooling on the keyboard or bashing your head on the keyboard that you can use to destroy forum threads and eventually, pwn a forum.

Future missions involve buying illegal software from the Russians, pwning more difficult forums and other internet oddness.

Completing missions gives you cash, called Flezz in game, and items that you can pawn or use in other missions. The game is NOT for those easily offended. It's crass, coarse and there are frequent f-bombs in the fake chat sessions.

This is also a game for a more mature audience as it requires you to shop at the Drugs R Fun store to get various concoctions to improve your playing, engage in certain cyber activities to get more Flezz and just generally use a more adult perspective.

If you can get past that, here are the more enjoyable and time-wasting aspects.

View more Time Wasters

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