SoftMaker Office 2006     Suggested by Stone Tablet - Added on 5 Jan 2009 36MB (uncompressed) - Popularity score (1542) Website - Screenshot - Download - Comments (11) - Post comment - Permalink

Posted comments:

 a: This is less bloated than MS Office and OpenOffice.Org, which continue to get more bulkier and slower. It's an older version thus it has its quirks and doesn't it have a powerpoint counterpart, but if you need a reasonably featured word/spreadsheet suite it may be worth the download. [2009-01-05 19:01]

 inforangry: I would like more information about "built-in database and mailmerge function". They don't explain anything in the website. [2009-01-06 00:20]

 TheVinster: I don't understand, why not just use Google Apps?? [2009-01-06 01:09]

 opsimathic: I use this as my everyday spreadsheet and word processor - much faster than OpenOffice, especially when run from a USB stick, but less full featured - also OpenOffice has a presentation (powerpoint-esq)feature which SoftMaker lacks in its free (2006) version.

Google Apps (see TheVinster comment) is a non starter when you work remotely with sporadic internet access.

I keep OpenOffice for occasional use, but rarely have to use it - especially for spreadsheets. [2009-01-06 01:15]

 french: This is a very nice product. It has fewer features than OpenOffice.org, but the features are carefully selected and should cover the needs of most people.

For those with questions about features or how they're implemented, there's a pdf version of the complete manuals to be found in the program folder that should answer any questions. The manuals are well written and well indexed.

MS Office Office file compatibility (pre-2007) is very good, but PlanMaker (the spreadsheet) can't handle massive spreadsheets. The row and column limits are similar to early versions of Excel.

This is good enough software that I bought the newer version, which can also be run from a portable drive.

One note: after the initial install, you need only go to the Start menu, find the SoftMaker Office 2006 entry, choose the Utilities submenu, then choose Install SoftMaker Office on a USB stick. While wandering around you may also see the Documentation submenu for easy access to the pdf documentation. [2009-01-06 10:22]

 einposter: user french said the most about this app. I totally agree with his comments and highly recommend these apps for use on a stick or even vintage hardware.

Although both apps are not so bloated as M$ Office or OOo, the collection of features is really more than sufficient and covers the needs of a everyday user (and even professionals). So do not be discouraged by these comments on the fewer features! One feature was not mentioned above: one can create PDF seamlessly out of both apps.

If you are capable of German - there as a forum on the manufacturer's website encompassing lots of tips and tricks. Help to even weird questions is available there.

Truely a recommendation.

And I also bought the new version for use on my old laptop [2009-02-12 09:54]

 Oscar: An excellent product, nice, swift, to the point. Regrettably for great suites like OpenOffice, they grow in size and unnecessary complexity. This one runs very well even in my really old PC. The only thing it lacks is a Spanish dictionary, which I don't know where to download. Otherwise, is perfect for users like me, just writing, perhaps a little spreadsheet databas here and there and not much more. [2009-07-13 18:08]

 Reader: I was on Softpedia and apparently they have a link to an already portablized version:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Office/Suites-editors/Portable-SoftMaker-Office.shtml [2009-09-19 20:49]

 TH: 12/21/09 2008 free may end 12/31/09 http://www.softmaker.com/english/index_en.htm use usbstick.exe to transfer to usb stick - should be portable [2009-12-21 23:54]

 Jon: Free 2008 version is now available here: http://www.softmaker.net/down/ofw08charity.exe but it probably needs a serial number. [2010-02-18 21:23]

 P Smith: The file that "Jon" linked to ("ofw08charity.exe") is only a 30 day demo, not a full version of Softmaker Office.

Softmaker Office 2006 is still a great program, though I am considering purchasing the latest one. [2010-05-09 08:20]

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