There was a time when I was concerned with the fact that Word was the de facto standard by default almost everyone had MS Office. However that is no longer an issue for me if I send a document out it is more likely I would send it as an RTF document where no further editing, etc. is required. You can even convert it to a PDF document which is readable almost universally.
As I said, when I come to upgrade (if I can no longer use Office 97, another reason to stay away from Vista) it won’t be to another MS Office, but to an alternative office option, even a cheap office 2k is more expensive than OO.org and even some of the other paid for office suites, ability office, etc.
I realise it would be an easy upgrade over 97 and that office 2k is the last non-activation ms office suite, but I have tired of the MS rip off pricing. Here in the UK MS products are almost twice the US price when something is released the $dollar price is literally changed to £pounds and at a $2-1£ rate of exchange this is just greed. For essentially the same product, exchange charges, shipping, etc. don’t justify this rip off.
