Softmaker FreeOffice

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webfork
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice

#46 Post by webfork »

File Support

I just posted something about ONLYOFFICE file support so I thought it relevant to note what FreeOffice lists:
  • Microsoft Word files (.DOC, .DOT)
    Microsoft Word 2007·2016 files (.DOCX, .DOCM, .DOTX, .DOTM)
    OpenDocument files (.ODT, .OTT)
    Pocket Word for Windows CE (.PWD, .PWT)
    Pocket Word (.PSW)
    Microsoft Excel files (.XLS, .XLT)
    Microsoft Excel 2007·2016 files (.XLSX, .XLSM, .XLTX, .XLTM)
    additional files (.SDC, .CSV, .SLK, .PRN)
    Microsoft PowerPoint files (.PPT, .PPS, .POT)
    Microsoft PowerPoint 2007·2016 files (.PPTX, .PPTM, .PPSX, .PPSM, .POTX, .POTM)
    Rich Text File (.RTF)
Leftovers

When using the install + build portable + uninstall method, just a note that you should also zap the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Softmaker Software GmbH registry key.
Last edited by webfork on Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: (added the "leftovers" bit)

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webfork
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice

#47 Post by webfork »

SoftMaker FreeOffice 2016 Rev 767.0516 is out. I couldn't find a changelog.

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smaragdus
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice

#48 Post by smaragdus »

webfork wrote:SoftMaker FreeOffice 2016 Rev 767.0516 is out. I couldn't find a changelog.
The heavy procedure of installing it to make it portable and then uninstalling it which leaves heaps of registry leftovers and the ads have discouraged me to test FreeOffice any further.

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webfork
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice

#49 Post by webfork »

smaragdus wrote:heaps of registry leftovers and the ads have discouraged me to test FreeOffice any further.
The main reason I still keep up with the program is that it has done well with opening and saving MS Office files, especially the 2003-era (DOC, not DOCX) files. I didn't know there were now ads in the program. Softpedia was still listing it as freeware.

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smaragdus
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice

#50 Post by smaragdus »

@webfork
About ads- please see this comment.

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Midas
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#51 Post by Midas »

Softmaker FreeOffice 2018 released -- no changelog; not much info, in fact, apart from what's on the homepage at http://www.freeoffice.com/.

Some portability info can be read at http://www.freeoffice.com/en/support/tips-and-tricks.

A comparison matrix for the previous Softmaker 2016 products is available in PDF format from http://www.softmaker.net/down/officecomparison_en.pdf.

I'm content with my 2012 version for any quick edits. Any brave testers out there? :mrgreen:

freakazoid
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#52 Post by freakazoid »

According to the FreeOffice website, it can now write .docx, .xlsx and .pptx for free now.
With FreeOffice 2018 you can not only open, but also save documents in the Microsoft file formats DOCX, XLSX and PPTX. Share files directly with Microsoft Office users, without having to export them first!
This was a locked feature in previous FreeOffice editions as far back as 2012. Not sure about FreeOffice 2016 though.
I might give this a try down the road. Always nice to have options as LibreOffice can be a little bloated.
is it stealth? ;)

xor
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#53 Post by xor »

Amusingly FreeOffice 2018 can now open and save in .DOCX format... but not in .DOC format anymore :lol: or am I wrong? :roll:

bawldiggle
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#54 Post by bawldiggle »

I am using free 2016, no ads
- saves .DOC only . . . . . NO .DOCX . . . . . (EDITED, with correction, 20-May-2018)

TWS Office Suite was notorious for ads when I least expected it, discovered they phoned home on system boot
I blocked TWS EXE from phoning home and the nag ads stopped dead, their SaveAs dlg was terrible so I uninstalled TWS when I found free Softmaker

I got clues from these articles in 2016
- copy pasted directly from my tips and tricks database ... hope it helps someone :wink:
Spoiler!   
BLOCK OUTGOING INTERNET TRAFFIC 28-08-15

How to stop an app from accessing the internet
- use with caution ... read the HTG article

* Win7/8 demo *
[Use the Windows Firewall to Block a Program From Internet Access] 25-Mar-2013
< unread >
http://www.groovypost.com/howto/block-a ... s-windows/

* Win-10 demo*
[How to Block An Application from Accessing the Internet with Windows Firewall] 26-Aug-2015
- mentions you can block incoming traffic too
http://www.howtogeek.com/227093/how-to- ... -firewall/

http://www.howtogeek.com/227093/how-to- ... -firewall/
Last edited by bawldiggle on Sun May 20, 2018 5:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

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webfork
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#55 Post by webfork »

bawldiggle wrote: Sat May 19, 2018 1:03 am I am using free 2016, no ads ... I got clues from these articles in 2016
Nice! Great post. I'm definitely going to use that in the near future for a few programs that just really have no business being online. Thanks for that.

bawldiggle
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#56 Post by bawldiggle »

@ webfork
I don't use word processors often ... but that is another story.
Today I used Softmaker "TextMaker" 2016 and it only saves as DOC, no DOCX
Sorry about the misleading info in my previous post

I am using Softmaker Office Suite 2016, but as portable setup
Instructions ... http://www.freeoffice.com/en/support/tips-and-tricks

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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#57 Post by webfork »

bawldiggle wrote: Sun May 20, 2018 5:51 am Today I used Softmaker "TextMaker" 2016 and it only saves as DOC, no DOCX
Sorry about the misleading info in my previous post
No problem. There are some groups and organization that will prefer working with DOC files for compatibility, but it does seem problematic for collaboration.

I had a job a few years ago where I did absolutely everything in DOC files to reach the widest possible audience. I'm not sure if that would create issues with Office 2016 but it was never a problem on 2010.

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Midas
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#58 Post by Midas »

Funny. My 2012 version apparently has no trouble saving DOCX... :?

bawldiggle
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#59 Post by bawldiggle »

Did you pay for 2012 PRO ? OR are you running FREE 2012 (I would like to find the latter ;)
I suspect Softmaker are crippling PRO for Free version.

I am actually considering buying 2018 PRO ... $99 aud for 5 PCs is v.cheap.

I tested their Flexi-PDF program, it is very rough ... I wouldn't even call it a Beta. It is, IMO, rough Alpha

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Midas
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Re: Softmaker FreeOffice (adware)

#60 Post by Midas »

@bawldiggle: I did start with the Free version, but somewhere along the line I picked up a Pro license -- most likely in a software giveaway, don't really recall it anymore...

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