!HELP! - Microsoft Office 2007 - !HELP!

[Snowman5933]

Ok, here's my situation. I've returned to college, and since I've been out of school for more than 5 years, the college is making me take an intro to computer class (microsoft office 2007). My SO took the class last semester, but they used office 2003, so we already have the books and software from that class.

I didn't object to paying $150 for the office 2007 book and software until we were informed the software was only a trial version and would de-activate in 180 days. Now I'm unhappy, but I havn't opened it yet and want to return it to the bookstore (this is no problem and well within the policies of the bookstore).

So, I need to come up with a way to complete my assignments in office 2003, but save them in 2007 format. Any ideas???

Snowman

 

[rydia57]

Does the school have a computer lab? if so what version of Office is on those comptuers? Maybe your library has one?

 

[SweetErika]

Well, for the time being, you could use the 60-day trial version available online. If you have two computers, you might get 120 days out of it.

You might also be able to send your files to a friend who has 2007, have them save them, and send them back to you. I'm not sure how anyone would differentiate a 2007 from a 2003 file, but then I'm not well-versed the nitty gritty of Office.

My new laptop came with a trial version, and I used it a few times before I installed our copy of 2003. Word at least was very different and horrible to use, but I think I have the student or home edition. So, just be aware that there may be major differences in the two versions.

I'm not suggesting this, but some people would probably look for a cracked copy of 2007 through bittorrent or something. Teachers can also get copies of Office for almost nothing - I think my mom got them for $7.

 

[Mazuri]

You could also look into OEM versions online if you're not up to bittorrent or are afraid of downloading a virus with your file. OEM software is (now) legal to sell and is generally half price of retail or less. They're the disks that come with computer systems that are unneeded (such as an office buying 20 computers but not needing all 20 disks of Office). I bought my copy of Windows XP for about $30. It's legal, you get the code that lets you validate with Windows so that you get updates, and you have disks in case you need to reinstall.

This site has it for $130. Still a bit pricey but cheaper than the $400 retail while this one has the student version for $120. Do a search for OEM software and you should be able to get a decent deal.

A lawsuit between a retailer and Adobe deemed it legal to sell OEM software as the judge in question did not agree that you only bought a 'license' to use the software. He claimed if you paid money and received an item in return, it was yours. They could frown on copies being sold but couldn't stop reselling of something that was legally bought. As you pay money and get disks, the companies with leftover OEM software can legally sell those disks as long as they are unopened/not installed on machines.

 

[necroerotica]

You could also look into OEM versions online if you're not up to bittorrent or are afraid of downloading a virus with your file. OEM software is (now) legal to sell and is generally half price of retail or less. They're the disks that come with computer systems that are unneeded (such as an office buying 20 computers but not needing all 20 disks of Office). I bought my copy of Windows XP for about $30. It's legal, you get the code that lets you validate with Windows so that you get updates, and you have disks in case you need to reinstall.

Not sure how it stands now, and this is in the UK, but when I was building my PC a few years back a lot of the places I shopped from (both online and retail) for parts were selling OEM software - however, legally OEM could only be sold to you if you bought some hardware. Any hardware. In other words, buy a mouse or a stick of RAM, and you're able to buy an OEM copy of paintshop pro.
It's worth looking into anyway.

 

[Snowman5933]

Well, for the time being, you could use the 60-day trial version available online. If you have two computers, you might get 120 days out of it.

I do have 2 computers and I really like this idea.

You might also be able to send your files to a friend who has 2007, have them save them, and send them back to you. I'm not sure how anyone would differentiate a 2007 from a 2003 file, but then I'm not well-versed the nitty gritty of Office.

I don't know anyone who has upgraded to the new version yet. The difference between 2007 and 2003 is the file extension and we are required to not only turn in a printed assignment, but a cd with the file on it. She said she would not accept files with the 2003 extension.

 

[Mazuri]

...however, legally OEM could only be sold to you if you bought some hardware. Any hardware.

The company I bought my Windows from sold me a cable I don't really remember what kind it was, it was simply the requisite hardware which I promptly tossed in the garbage bin.

 

[Yang4yin]

Microsoft has Student Versions of Office available for a fraction of the regular products. If your school store doesn't sell them, check at a large office supply store, or go online.

 

[luvtofly]

Have you also checked with the instructor to make certain that you DO have to save the files under Office 2007?

Typically Whenever I was in school it didn't matter what version was used as long as the files were completed on time. In this way you could do it in 2003 and since 2007 is a newer version it will open 2003 files with no problem at all. (I have been interfacig between the two a lot in the past two weeks with my job).

with that aside your school made you pay 150$ for a trial version of the program? that doesn't seem to add up to me. I would talk to someone at the school and see what is going on.

Hope you get it all sorted out,

Good luck!

 

[SweetErika]

Have you also checked with the instructor to make certain that you DO have to save the files under Office 2007?

Typically Whenever I was in school it didn't matter what version was used as long as the files were completed on time. In this way you could do it in 2003 and since 2007 is a newer version it will open 2003 files with no problem at all. (I have been interfacig between the two a lot in the past two weeks with my job).

with that aside your school made you pay 150$ for a trial version of the program? that doesn't seem to add up to me. I would talk to someone at the school and see what is going on.

Hope you get it all sorted out,

Good luck!

Snowman can clarify, but it sounds like the class is on Office 2007, and 2003 and 2007 use different extensions, so he can't do the assignments in 2003.

It doesn't sound like the school or teacher had them pay $150 for the trial version, but rather the BOOK that comes with a 180-day trial of the software. I haven't looked at book prices lately, but in 2002 when I finished school, many of the textbooks alone were around $100. The ones that came with software of some kind were even more. IIRC, Snowman's in Canada, and books may be even more expensive there, or perhaps the cost has just gone up due to the rise in shipping costs in the past 5 years.

 

[sluttyirishgrl]

Everyone has offered excellent advice, but I think I have the answer. There is a FREE compatibility pack for users of Office 2003 that allows you to open and save files in 2007 format. You simply need to download it from the Microsoft website. Here is the link:
Ms Office Compatibility Pack
I have it on my machine...it works great. Just remember that if you save something in 2007 and then take your files to a computer that doesn't have the compatibility pack or Office 2007 on there, you might have some trouble opening it. Beyond that, you shouldn't have any problems.

And for the record, I think your college is out to screw you. As a veteran of way too many years of higher education, I've never heard of anything so ridiculous...a class in basic computing for someone who's been on planet earth in the last 20 years...oy. I'd find another school.

Have fun!

 

[Snowman5933]

Everyone has offered excellent advice, but I think I have the answer. There is a FREE compatibility pack for users of Office 2003 that allows you to open and save files in 2007 format. You simply need to download it from the Microsoft website. Here is the link:
Ms Office Compatibility Pack
I have it on my machine...it works great. Just remember that if you save something in 2007 and then take your files to a computer that doesn't have the compatibility pack or Office 2007 on there, you might have some trouble opening it. Beyond that, you shouldn't have any problems.

And for the record, I think your college is out to screw you. As a veteran of way too many years of higher education, I've never heard of anything so ridiculous...a class in basic computing for someone who's been on planet earth in the last 20 years...oy. I'd find another school.

Have fun!

Thanks for the info on the compatibility pack. I'm going to use the (2) 60 day trials that microsoft provided for free (since I've got 2 computers) and that will cover most of the semester. After that I'll probably try the compatibility pack.

I have to admit that I was not too happy when I was told I would have to take this class because I have been out of school for 5 years or more. If I want to better my situation going back to school is the only option (unless you know how to predict what the winning powerball numbers will be tonight....just forward them to me...LOL). I'm not going to focus on being angry about taking this class, I'll just laugh it off and consider it an easy A. I'll just be that much closer to a 4.0 when the semester ends.

Snowman

 

[SubNebGuy]

Sorry, but Office 2007 has to activate itself online through microsoft.com

so your trial version will likely only activate one time without calling microsoft and begging them to re-enable the code...which they'd probably only do within a few days of initial activation. otherwise it'd be obvious that you're thwarting their license agreement.


Also, office 2007 SUCKS hard...and it has a fairly different layout for everything so trying to follow 2007 instructions in 2003 version is gonna be rough.

no menu bars...just 'ribbons'.

 

[fancydancer]

Here is my suggestion!

Complete the assignment and save it with Office 2003. Take the saved files to a Office 2007 machine and open it. It will ask if you want to convert it to 2007. Say yes.