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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: chorleydave on July 03, 2003, 13:29

Title: Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: chorleydave on July 03, 2003, 13:29

I'm going to my sister's this afternoon to finish setting up her PC after a format last weekend.  Previously, she had Microsoft Office 2000 on it, but only used Word.  Does anyone know of a free lightweight word processor that is compatable with Office, as I am reluctant to load a large program back, when she  only has a 1.7GB Hard Drive and will only use the work processing bit.

One other thing, if I leave Office out, she won't have spellcheck functions in Outlook Express.  Are there any free spellcheck add-ons for OE6, as I can't find anything free on the web.

Thanks.

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: Sandra on July 03, 2003, 13:37

Just use Office 97 Dave,that should be ok for her and is a lot smaller than 2000 I should think.
I will see if I can find some free spellcheckers later but unfortunately I have to go out soon for a dental appointment  :(  but will have a look when I get home  :-*

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: Adept on July 03, 2003, 13:44

Try the Open Office WP, ChorleyDave.

It's free :D and available from www.openoffice.org  The only downside is that you can't just download the WP you have to take the whole suite and it's a bit large at 51.4MB.

There may well be a PC magazine available with it on the cover disk.

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: DJ on July 03, 2003, 14:05

Another option ChorleyDave is Ability Write.

I had Ability Office installed on a PC I bought early this year and it's fully compatible with Office.

You can find out more on Ability Write HERE (http://www.uk.ability.com/sales/products/write.php?ln=en)

Or on Ability Office HERE (http://www.uk.ability.com)

Ability Write needs 40mb to download but only takes 25mb for a full installation after download. It costs around £18 for the download version and £25 for a CD version - see sites for more info.

Hope that helps  ;)

DJ1UK

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: Clive on July 03, 2003, 14:14

If it's only simple wordprocessing she needs don't forget that she will already have Wordpad and Notepad installed as part of Windows.  They don't take up any space at all!  ;D

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: DJ on July 03, 2003, 14:24

As for the spell checker in outlook express, have a look HERE (http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/freefile/story/0,24330,3419762,00.html) for a free program.

Haven't used it so don't know how good/bad it is!

DJ1UK

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: chorleydave on July 03, 2003, 18:44

Thanks everyone.

Everything went OK, but as she has an old external 28.8 modem (which she refuses point blank to replace - "there's nothing wrong with it") downloading AVG took longer than it took the French lad to finish off Henman.  ;D  I've only to reload Adaware, set up her daughter's e-mail and sort out the word processing.  I'll do that tomorrow.

Thanks for the link to the Outlook Express spellchecker, DJ.  That's just what I was looking for.  I'll mention Wordpad to her, but if she wants the frills, I am sure I have an older version of Ability on a cover disk.  I'll see if I can find it.  ???

Thanks again.

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: Simon on July 03, 2003, 18:49

How about an old version of MS Works?  Is that any lighter than Office?

Title: Re:Lightweight Word Processor Needed
Post by: Tony on July 04, 2003, 12:14

haw about a spelcheker inbilt in2 PC-Pals  ;D