Office & productivity software forum: Poll: Would you subscribe to Microsoft Office?

I will NEVER use any online service like this (or online backup of my data, or anything similar). It is a simple matter of privacy and propriety.

It is settled law that data residing on a server is owned by the owner of that server and that he or she may do with it whatever they wish. If you're OK with this, fine, but I can't for the life of me comprehend why you would be. I understand that this may be merely the delivery of the application from a server and, although I am not completely clear on this point, that they will have no access to your data, but even if not they will be able to alter the application features without your consent. And in any event I am highly dubious that access to your data can be effectively prevented with any real assurance on any system like this. Trust me on this point: Their programmers (and lawyers) are cleverer than you.

I like Microsoft Office products and will continue to use them, although Office 2010 seems to meet my needs fully. I haven't looked into any additional features or GUI redesign of Office 2013 yet so I don't know whether or not I will invest in the upgrade, but I know for an absolute fact that, if I do, it will run on my OWN machines and not those belonging to anybody else. I like to retain control of my stuff, and I do not enjoy surprise "upgrades." Think for a moment of Facebook in that regard.

On this matter, I am highly skeptical and paranoid and I shall continue to be. This skepticism comes from my long-time role as IT Security Administrator at a Federal agency world-renowned for its bleeding-edge technological prowess.

I am still using MS Office 2000, tried Office suite 2002 but did not like the way it handle graphic inserts into word. So I went back to 2000. My computer is more than 10 years old and my car is nearly 20 years old. Why spend money if what you have takes care of your needs? Eventually, the day will come when I have to upgrade because things won't work, but until then I will keep what I have.

After my XP desktop hard drive crashed, I put in Win 7, a huge mistake. I was using Windows to run mostly open source software - Thunderbird, Firefox, Scribus DTP, Gimp pix editor, Open office. The biggest problem I have now is Win 7. It buried most of the software I use, and took the nice, clear desktop I had with XP, and rearranged software and files into a nonsensical jumble.

So I'm dumping 7, putting in Linux and XP Pro together. Linux will be my main OS, with my old XP to help with the transition and for any Windows software I want to run.

I have been using Windows to run software that was designed on Linux, which worked with XP ok, but doesn't with 7.
It makes more sense to use Linux to run Linux, and avoid all the expense and hassles of Windows overcontrol, expense, constant interruptions for reboots, slow startups and shutdowns.

My desktop refuses to link to my two XP laptops since I installed W7. I don't think Linux will be so snobbish.

I use Office at my company because they decided to pay a license for it. But on my own personal computer, on Windows and Linux, I use LibreOffice who is almost as complete as MS-Office and I consider it as more usable, more stable and COMPLETELY free. That's the best deal breaker in my opinion!

Renting subjects the user to the whims of the provider ( even more than usual ). Like most rental situations, the monthly charge continues and the renter never owns it. For most home users I would expect this to be a losing financial agreement while some business might be able to justify it on cost. Not being the trusting type when it comes to large corporations, I'd be concerned also about fine print allowing the provider to change the rental terms without my input. Given the many available inexpensive options, renting seems unnecessary ( again, except for a business that can justify the cost based on multiple license purchases ).

NO... sounds fishy.

Honestly, I use Word and Excel, but that's it. And that's the 2007 version.
At best most others I know only use Word.

So no, it would be an entire waste of money to think I would chase MS around like a puppy chasing a toy?

NO.