Software purchase experience

TinCan's picture

Anyone out there had any experience with purchasing software from any of the on-line discount providers? I'm looking at Office 2007, maybe Standard or Home and Student (big price difference from Microsoft just to get Outlook), and found a bunch of discount sites.

However many of the less expensive offers come with caveats of no support, no transferability, etc. They do offer, for example the full standard version for $110 less than Microsoft I'm curious if the supposed full packages that include registration and support can be trusted.

I know there are free alternatives for word, excel and powerpoint and I have my ISP e-mail available. Guess I'm just comfortable with what I've used for years.

Any insight would be appreciated.

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Thanks all
TinCan's picture
Submitted by TinCan on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 4:04pm.

Appreciate your responses.


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Software? Go Discount
NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 6:47pm.

Microsoft's licensing program is awful and you are much better off buying individual copies of their software unless you are mega-size. MS support is a total joke and you're aren't going to use it anyway...when a real problem arises, you'll be calling someone else, not Microsoft. You just need to make sure you are buying legit software and not some pirated crap or OEM software when you aren't entitled to OEM software.

Royaldiscount.com or softwaremedia.com are both reputable and sell only fully licensed products. There are plenty others also. You need to realize that while you can buy "OEM" or "Student" versions of MS products for cheap, you might be actually in the wrong if in fact you aren't a student or didn't purchase a new computer first. Now, will anyone ever know? Uh, no. That's up to you and your conscious in that regard. Same as in downloading copyrighted music or movies.

Go the discount route but make sure you aren't buying from some goof in a country that ends in "stan."


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Hey badptc
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 6:45pm.

We have a question that requires your expertise.

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TinCan
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 6:43pm.

Be careful. Sometimes these software specials are "OEM Software" which in some instances cannot legally be loaded on another PC. Google "OEM Software" for more information. BTW, "badptc" is the resident expert.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


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Squid Software
Submitted by AtHomeGym on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 3:38pm.

TC, what do you use for your current Operating System?I'm certainly no IT specialist but I would suggest investigating the new Windows 8 which you can now pre-order. I just know I use VISTA and it has email (Windows Mail) and Windows Works (word-processing, power point viewer, spread sheet) embedded. I think the new Windows 8 is 129.99 pre-ordered, either downloaded via internet or a disk.

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Thanks Gym
TinCan's picture
Submitted by TinCan on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 4:30pm.

I'm still on XP with the lastest service packs. That's amazing that you can get Win 8 with that stuff included for that price. Microsoft sells the Office 2007 Std. for $399.99. Found it for $289.99 on one of the discount sites I mentioned, but leary of that option. Do you know if Win 8 add-ons are comparable to the office package features? If they are, Microsoft must really be hot to get beyond Vista. Microsoft has the Home and Student 2007 Office on sale now for $99.99. It's normally $149.99. My debate with myself was whether I wanted to blow the $399 with Outlook or go with the sale and use my AT&T e-mail.


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TC, I don't know....
Submitted by AtHomeGym on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 6:38pm.

what email program or other features Win 8 will have embedded, that's why I suggested you check it out first before making a decision about other packages. Outlook was replaced in VISTA with WindowsMail and it works ok for me. I only was talking about what was embedd in VISTA, not WIN 8--I don't know what's embedded in WIN 8; hell, for all I know,it might be an entirely new email program!. What I do know is that it won't have any effect on my trip to Bozeman, Montana on Wed for a week! Y'all just suffer along with this humidity and good luck with your software selection.

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