Free Microsoft Works to Compete With Google

Reuters is reporting that Microsoft will offer an ad-supported, free version of Microsoft Works to compete with Google Docs & Spreadsheets. According to Reuters, this free version would still be desktop software, unlike the Internet-based Docs & Spreadsheets.

That tells me that I won't want it. If I just want a free word processor, I can get one without ads by downloading OpenOffice.

I use a lot of computers, and I don't own all of them. I use computers in offices, libraries, and computer labs. I also use more than one operating system. I need documents that travel. The only Microsoft service I know of that will do that well is SharePoint, and it's not free.

• Review of Google Docs
• Review of Google Spreadsheets
• Google Tools for the College Student