You've got an alternative to MS Office

Windows XP, Microsoft’s latest operating system, is priced at Rs 3,500, while Red Hat Linux (with Open Office compulsorily thrown in) is also priced at the same levels.

For a PC user, the debate on Windows vs Linux is a non-starter. Where the shoe really pinches is that the Microsoft Office suite – word processor, spread sheet and power point presentation – costs around Rs 20,000.

That is even more expensive than the PC. Industry veterans say, if you want to cut costs, cut here. What’s more, there is now a choice.

Sun’s Star Office, priced at around Rs 4,000, already has 10 per cent of the market share, according to reports in Asian Computer Weekly. According to other industry sources, Star Office has sold 40,000 licensed copies, compared with 130,000 licensed copies of Microsoft.

Industry observers feel that the preference for MS Office is because people are used to it. Hence Sun is now allowing trial use of the software on a pilot basis.

But Sun’s main target is the pirated users of MS Office and those who are looking for cost competitive solutions. One chief advantage with Star Office is its ability to operate across multiple platforms, while MS Office restricts a user to Windows.

Actually, Star Office and many similar products are available for free. Open Office is an open source version of Star Office.

And that can be downloaded from the web free of cost, or procured from, say, RedHat along with Linux for enterprise wide managed support, says Javed Tapia, CEO, RedHat India.

An organisation may buy licensed version of Linux and Open Office for a few machines and install free versions downloaded from the Web for the rest of the machines, points out Tapia.

Shakti Office is priced at Rs 2,000. Its developer Vinod Reddy, CEO, CK Technologies, explains that the suite allows you to work with Indian languages.

“Bill Gates is the richest man because he sells you the Office suite for $400, when he can easily give it to you for 50 cents,” remarks Reddy.

But Bill Gates is giving it away at throwaway prices to government organisations, complains MN Cooper, chairman, Modular Infotech, a company that sells its office suite for Rs 1,500. Cooper says Microsoft is routing its MS Office and the operating system at as less as Rs 1,500 to government organisations through its foundation.

Also, there is a large number of operators using pirated versions of MS Office. However, Modular sold 1,000 copies of its Ankur Office suite to LIC, and counts on BSNL, Indian Railways and HCL among other potential customers.
regards
Zameer