Comments on: Microsoft quietly offering ad-funded Works

A top Office executive says the "sponsored edition" of Works is just a pilot, not a major new source of revenue. However, the response thus far has been positive, especially to the price: free.

[camdef]

Can it be downloaded?

So, after reading your story, I was expecting a download link.
Or is it for OEM exclusively?
Giving news about an elusive product is strange.

[Ina Fried]

re: can it be downloaded?

I think it is exclusively OEM. I am still trying to get more details on where and through whom it is available. I'll update once I get that.

Thanks,
Ina

[rcrusoe]

Why would you want to download Works?

I removed dozens if not hundreds of copies of Works for people over the years.

It was one of the original crapware products that manufacturers loaded onto new PCs and most people applauded when it fell out of favor with the big PC makers.

Even Google Apps is light years ahead of Works in compatibility and usability.

[gabeheim]

Is this

the version of works that bundles word? If it isn't what benefit is there to using works, instead of truly free openoffice? This isn't to be critical, but I just don't see why. Perhaps MS could explain why someone should look at ads to use a program that is nowhere as robust as any other solution.

[paul.saulnier]

OpenOffice doesn't get it

OpenOffice has always been slow, and new users are more familiar with the Microsoft brand. Additionally, OpenOffice defaults to its own formats which creates headaches for new users when the document they just created doesn't open on their friend's computer using Microsoft Office.

[Ingotian]

Why not use Open Office?

Since OpenOffice is free from adverts, more powerful than Works and more compatible with MS Office why would anyone use Works even if it is free?

[rapier1]

Why use Works?

Because it's there and available. No other reason really. Open Office
might be a fine alternative but a lot of people don't know about it
and aren't going to bother finding out about it and won't bother to
download and install it. Just how it goes sometimes.

[GlennW007]

The version that offers word with works is the suite version. It includes Money, Streets & some other programs. AFAIK Works 9.0-9.5 was a $30-$50 product. A lot of newbie computer students start with works till they can take an Office class.

I've noticed a lot of $99 Student Office offers. It would be nice to have a $199 or less Standard Office product. I'm not sure if Corel has a home edition of their Wordperfect home user suite.