[WEB4LIB] Do free application suites represent good value

[Jacque King]

The first (and only) thing that comes to mind is the ability to
lock down the apps.  Microsoft does have System Policy Editor with
.adm files for Office, so that your users can not run Macros, get
into the visual basic editor, etc.  I'm not sure about the "free"
ones.

Jacque King
Library Technical Support Specialist
Fort Collins Public Library
201 Peterson Street
Fort Collins, CO  80524
(970) 221-6716
king at julip.fcgov.com


On Fri, 8 Mar 2002, Info Galway Library wrote:

> Hi,
>
> We are about to install an application suite such as Microsoft Office on our
> public access pcs to provide the public with word processing, spreadsheets
> etc. Is there any reason why we should not use a free suite such as the one
> available from www.sun.com/staroffice?
>
> Why pay for a product if a good substitute is available for free or are the
> free alternatives good substitutes? Am I missing something.
>
> Any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Regards
> John Fitzgibbon
>
> Galway Public Library
> Island House
> Cathedral Square
> Galway
> Ireland
>
> http://www.galwaylibrary.ie
>
> Phone: 00 353 91 562471
> Fax: 00 353 91 565039
>
>
>