Word-compatible program available for free download

[JorgeA]

The creators of SoftMaker, an MS Office-compatible suite, are offering a free version at this page.

Germany-based SoftMaker will make a small donation to charity groups for every download of SoftMaker FreeOffice. Holiday fonts are also available for free download through December 24, and they, too, are included in the donation program.

Here's the direct download page for the office package. (They do ask for minimal registration info -- name, e-mail, country.)

I have a little experience with the paid version of SoftMaker's suite, and as advertised it seems to be fully compatible with Office. Plus, they don't have the Ribbon.

--JorgeA

[e-t-c]

thx!!! =))

[Cannonballs]

Thanks Jorge!

I use FreeOffice and can highly recommend it, no other has such good compatibility with Microsoft Office, and its really fast!

I downloaded it again from "Loadandhelp" website, because it seems to be there in a current version, and because I wanted to create a donation to aid projects with my download I also downloaded the free type collection with 55 fonts. Currently 38,000 downloads, means € 3,800 donations. Help to increase it until Christmas Eve and spread the word!

[albator]

Softmaker is great indeed I recommend it.

[JorgeA]

I'm glad to be able to help, and happy to hear that other people are using it!

IMHO SoftMaker deserves to be much better known.

--JorgeA

[JorgeA]

The folks at SoftMaker are renewing their yearly offer of a charitable donation for every download of the free version of their MS Office-compatible software suite.

 

In its Windows version, the word-proceessing module, TextMaker, is in IMX the most highly Word-compatible program out there.

 

SotfMaker FreeOffice is now available for Windows, Linux, and Android tablets and smartphones.

 

Offer good until December 24.

 

--JorgeA

[vinifera]

this still version 2012 or 2015 ?

[JorgeA]

this still version 2012 or 2015 ?

 

I haven't installed this download, but if this report is accurate, then it's the most recent (current) version.

 

--JorgeA

[vinifera]

ah no no no no

its older

 

i just compared this one to 2012 standard - which was also offered free few months ago

THIS one has copyright till 2014, while 2012 std has till 2015

 

THIS one can't save in x format (MSx) only open them, the 2012 can

 

there is also version mismatch

THIS one is 1.0.3515

the 2012 std is 12.0.3513

 

also when I started installation of THIS one, it gives me this:

 

[JorgeA]

Hmmm... 

 

So, they're giving away the software AND they're donating to charity for each download -- and you're complaining?! 

 

--JorgeA

 

P.S. FWIW, here's what the installer .exe says for the product version:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2015 by JorgeA

[vinifera]

and here is what 2012 says:

 

 

bit without logic eh ...
and i'm complaining about features, version vs version, which both were free

Edited December 21, 2015 by vinifera

[JorgeA]

I see that your file says it's "SoftMaker Office Standard 2012," and mine says "SoftMaker FreeOffice."  It must have been a different type of promotion

 

It does make sense that yours which is "Standard" would have more features than mine which is "Free."

 

Interesting. Ahh well, maybe they don't want to give TOO much away TOO often... 

 

--JorgeA

[vinifera]

true but considering the 3 year gap

one would expect more from "free" version

[jaclaz]

true but considering the 3 year gap

one would expect more from "free" version

Like (examples please)?

I mean, we are talking of a word processor, something that went (set apart the stupid change of default format for files) untouched for the last - say - 18 years or so, it is not like any MS Word after Office 97 added any meaningful or worth of note functions or capabilities or changes in the way the software works.

At least nothing that anyone would normally use unless he/she is writing a book with hundred of pages, chapters, index, indentations, notes and footnotes, etc.

And reality check, professional writers DO NOT use those features (or this kind of WYSIWYG word processors at all for that matters), example:

http://www.jamierubin.net/2013/01/25/a-good-word-processor-for-writers-should-do-3-things-really-well/

BTW 90% (say) of the documents that are currently created in Word could be as well made in Wordpad or other simpler text editors.

jaclaz