file transfer issues with open office

[tonyah44]

my old computer (e machine) fried; I bought a new Dell Vostro 200.  Most of my data was on floppy discs on Microsoft Word. My new computer has CD drive with Open Office.  I understand I will need an external floppy drive to transfer the data, but how will Word read to open office?  I need to know the best way to do this.  I could install new Word software, and I am used to Word, but if Open Office is better for my purpose I suppose I could get used to it (I'm an old guy and don't take change all that well). 

I have Windows XP, 1.20 ghz, 1.99 gb ram



Tony

[drmsucks]

I'm in complete sympathy with "don't take change that well."

Open Office Writer (the word processor) is similar to but different from MS Word. It will almost assuredly open your old Word files but the interface and use of the program will be slightly different.

Do you have the install disks or CD for the Word program that you've been using? What version of Word is it?

[quaxo]

Depends on your documents. I know from experience when OpenOffice opens Word documents it doesn't always get the formatting right and likewise when Word opens a DOC file created in OpenOffice.

Interface-wise, they're really not all that different. As for features, OpenOffice is impressive, but doesn't have as many features as Word does.

If you're really not interested in changing, I'd just stick with Word.

[drmsucks]

Interface-wise, they're really not all that different.

That's probably the biggest problem getting used to OOo

If the OP has to upgrade several versions of Word, he will find similar "same but different" differences between a new Word and his old one.

His best solution is to install the version that he is used to, but it may have been included on his old system and he has no disks.

[tonyah44]

Thanks, people

I realized after I sent the note that I should have my old Word disk.  I do, but I can't find it.  I'll keep looking, and may have to buy new Word software. 

I've been using computers since the mid-eighties, and still don't know what I'm doing.  Getting old ain't for sissies.

Tony