Free Office questions

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Based on the recommendations in another thread, I downloaded Free Office. I've sent a couple of "converted" files to a friend to see how they will play with Office for Windows. All I did was change the "Open With" default for individual files, made a change, saved them in TextMaker and PlanMaker, and then sent them off. While I'm waiting, my specific questions are:

Just changing the Open With default does not change the file extension, like Libre Office does. Is that what should be expected? Given that, I'm expecting my friend to be able to open the "converted" files without a hitch. But, even before receiving a file back that has been "restored" to Office, I noticed that my new default did not hold for one of the files so modified. Is that an issue with Free Office? Shouldn't it remain as I set it until I change it again? (I'm not checking "apply to all files of this type just yet. Maybe that is the key here.)
 
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toMACsh, I don't believe it is an issue with Office. What I have notice is I created a presentation with FreeOffice emailed it to myself then opened in ms pp got a weird message about file extension and I cancelled it out and the presentation opened, which then I just saved as a pp. Deleted other one and all is good. I haven't see any problems with doc's that I created in word 2007 at all. Hope this may help some.
 

chscag

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As far as I know, both the Free Office and the pay for SoftMaker Office will save to the Microsoft file extensions by default if you set it that way in the app's preferences. I have tested that with both apps and it works for me. I should state that I did not test the Spreadsheet or the Presentation apps, only the word processor.

I do not use Excel or Numbers but I do use Powerpoint. However, the Apple iWork Keynote app is as good or better than Powerpoint.
 
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Thanks for the responses. That addresses the first issue. I have bolded the second one in my original post. Does anyone have input on that? (Maybe it was just a fluke, and won't happen again.)
 

chscag

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Once the default is set in Free Office it should remain that way until you change it again. Perhaps you didn't save your preferences the first time?
 
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Ok, thanks. I'll pay close attention next time I do it.
 
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Follow up question:
Free Office seems to create a backup file when a file is saved. I really have no need for such protection. Does someone know how to disable this? (I will research it if no one has a ready answer.)
 

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Just curious, what about Libre Office? Is Free Office better? I have used Libre for doing things for friends who use Windows and never had one issue. Done large Spreadsheets for them and no complaints.
 
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toMACsh, I just delete them for now. I haven't been able to spend as much time playing with it but will report if I find a solution.
 
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toMACsh, ok open tentmaker, goto on Tools>Option>File, then unselect create a BU. That should do it.:)

It works on their other ones too.
 
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Just curious, what about Libre Office? Is Free Office better? I have used Libre for doing things for friends who use Windows and never had one issue. Done large Spreadsheets for them and no complaints.

There's no conversion. I get a .ods file using Libre Office. Free Office leaves the extensions alone. So far, that's the only thing I can tell you that I find better.

- - - Updated - - -

toMACsh, ok open tentmaker, goto on Tools>Option>File, then unselect create a BU. That should do it.:)

It works on their other ones too.

Thanks, I'm sure it will work. I'll try it when I get to my Mac.
 
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Kenny: The checkbox to not make a backup file appears to be global. All the files I've opened and looked in Options have the box not checked now. (insert needed thumbs-up emoticon here)

As for the Open With selection, that appears to be per folder only when the Change All button in Get Info is clicked.

Anyone with different results?
 
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toMACsh, when you say "global" are you referring to all documents?

I also noticed that when pasteing part of some text from other sources to an exsisting doc I'm working on or adding to I had to use paste special and choose unformatted text to get the text to match the document I'm working on. The preferences in tentmaker are limited on edit menu. Maybe. the paid version gives more.
 
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Just curious, what about Libre Office? Is Free Office better?

The reason that I originally brought up FreeOffice/SoftmakerOffice in another thread is because many of the folks on my discussion list for Mac-using attorneys would love an alternative to Microsoft Office (for various reasons), and LibreOffice, especially the word processing component, doesn't cut it. The biggest problem being compatibility with MS Word format files. LibreOffice is good in this regard, but FreeOffice so far seems *perfect*. I've never before seen a product, other than Word itself, that is so good working with Office format files.

After much skepticism among the members of that discussion list, a number of folks have tried FreeOffice/SoftmakerOffice, and all have been very surprised at how happy they are with it. Even the most expensive version of SoftmakerOffice is significantly cheaper than MS Office, and the free version, FreeOffice, is all that many folks need. It's definitely worth trying.

FreeOffice/Softmaker Office (free/$70/$100/subscription)

https://www.freeoffice.com/en/

https://www.softmaker.com/en/softmaker-office

Comparison chart of the features and costs of each version:
https://www.softmaker.com/en/comparison-freeoffice-softmaker-office
 

chscag

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I'm amazed how much you get with the $69.95 Softmaker Office for the Mac. Right now I'm still using Mac Office 2011, but as soon as Apple kills off 32 bit apps in the next version of macOS, I'll be switching to Softmaker Office.
 

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I downloaded FreeOffice a couple of days ago to try. I had downloaded Softmaker Office based upon Randy's recommendation. I Have Office 2011 but it has been throwing up an error for a while now (don't remember the exact error). I could probably fix things with a re-install but I can't find the stuff I need at the moment. Since that program will be going away soon I took it as an omen that it was time for a change.

Haven't started running it lately otther than initial launch, but it seems much quicker than LibreOffice.
 

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Thanks for the excellent explanation Randy. For the mostly simple work I do WP and even Spreadsheet wise, Libre has never failed but with more complex work like your lawyers do, it's good to know there is something that works 100%. I will give the it Free Office a go. Thanks again.
 

chscag

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I had downloaded Softmaker Office based upon Randy's recommendation.

Hey Sly:

You have a bad memory. I recommended Softmaker Office long before Randy suggested it and Freeoffice. We had a thread on it several months ago or maybe longer ago. LOL.
 

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Hey Sly:

You have a bad memory. I recommended Softmaker Office long before Randy suggested it and Freeoffice. We had a thread on it several months ago or maybe longer ago. LOL.


I might have seen your original thread but at the time Libre was doing fine for me so I probably just ignored it. I just installed Free Office and so far seems very nice. Lots of features. Reminds me of being in Office! :D

Are those two by the same company? Seems to be when I clicked the URL's.

PS, went back to the site and answered my own question. :D
 
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chscag

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Yes, both Freeoffice and Softmaker Office are from the same developer. Long ago when I was Windows only, I purchased their Windows Office program (back around year 2004 or 05) and used it for quite awhile. When I first started the thread on Softmaker Office, several of our members downloaded their trial version.

Freeoffice is nice but it does not have the ability to work with older Microsoft documents. It can open them but no editing. I need that capability because my archives contain close to around 500 or more older MS Word documents that I need access to. Some of those documents were made with Office 97 for Windows.
 

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