Nice alternative to Microsoft (Lotus 1-2-3 Millennium Edition 9.5)

Member Name: GraWar

Product:	Lotus 1-2-3 Millennium Edition 9.5
Date:	18/01/01 (442 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheaper than MS Office, simpler to use

Disadvantages: not as many advanced features as MS Office

I have both Lotus and Microsoft Office 2000 installed on my computer and use both, for different tasks. In my opinion there is very little difference for a home user between these 2 packages. Both offer a functional word processor, a spreadsheet and several other utilities, all with advanced features designed to make life easier.

In my experience, Lotus is just preferable because it is simpler to use and not over engineered as is the Microsoft suite. However you could say that the reason that it is preferable because it isn't advanced and doesn't quite have all of the same advanced and helping features of Office.

Let me give you an example: The insertion of a text box in Lotus WordPro takes only a few seconds. It is a great relief to be able to write a letter without an intervention from the infuriating paper clip, too although this can be turned off in the options.

The only problem i have encountered with lotus is that most of the world uses Microsoft, which can create compatibility trouble. However, with a little invention, this can be overcome, perhaps by saving work as an .rtf file or if you don't mind spending your time reformatting your work, as a .txt file.

I would advise Lotus for people not used to using Office suites because I think that it is alot more simple to pick up.

Summary: