What's the best way to buy the same version of Office for 3 'puter

[Art]

I currently have Office XP on a desktop, Office 2003 on laptop, and 30-day
trial version of Word on another desktop.

What's the best (cost effective) way to get the same licensed version of
Office on all 3....

 

[JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]]

You can legally install a retail version on one laptop and one desktop. That
third system needs it's own license. Some will tell you that you could get
the Students and Teachers edition but (1) it may not have the programs you
need and (2) it has specific requirements for the status of the owner.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Art

Buying that same version for three computers is easy.. go to a store and
pick up and pay for 3 identical MS Office boxes.. job done..

 

[Harlan Grove]

JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP] wrote...

You can legally install a retail version on one laptop and one desktop. That
third system needs it's own license. Some will tell you that you could get
the Students and Teachers edition but (1) it may not have the programs you
need and (2) it has specific requirements for the status of the owner.

....

With 3 computers, it's likely the OP doesn't live alone. The STE has
requirements, but they're pretty lose.

Now, since the OP has Office 2002 and 2003, the cheapest path would be
to note that there really isn't much difference between Office 2002 and
2003, so just install Office 2003 on the other desktop, since it can be
installed on both desktop and laptop. If the OP just can't handle one
desktop having a different version, then cheapest to buy another copy
of Office 2002 (probably through secondary market channels like eBay or
Amazon.com) and install it on the laptop and the other desktop.

As for the apps, if the OP only uses Word, it'd be cheaper to buy the
latest version of Works for the other desktop. The word processor in
Works is Word without VBA. Only if the OP needs Access would there be a
problem with the STE, but unless the OP wanted to do database
development on all 3 machines, Access on one desktop and the laptop and
the free Access runtime on the other desktop would the cheapest
solution.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Harlan

You should come here more often.. not much gets passed you, eh..

However, you are mixing and matching Works Suite, XP 2002, and 2003.. the OP
wants all installations to be the same version, so what you should have done
was asked if.......

....... the OP has a Full retail version of Office 2003, because if that is
the case, it should be replacing the desktop that has the trial version of
Word (which should be removed before the thirty days are up.. I have heard
that trial MS software can be something of a trial to remove)..

Now the next part involves subterfuge on the part of either the OP or the
store.. somehow, the OP must pretend to be a teacher or student, assuming of
course that the OP isn't either one of these, or have a friend that is
either who can then go to the University/College store and buy Office STE
legally.. this is then installed on the desktop and laptop because teachers
and students are allowed to do that..

If you think about it, it fits the bill a little better than having 2002 on
one machine (but imagining it to be 2003), and Works on the other desktop
(you would have a tough time imagining that this was Office 2003)..

So, what do you think of this so far.. should we present this to the OP?..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP] wrote...

You can legally install a retail version on one laptop and one desktop.
That
third system needs it's own license. Some will tell you that you could get
the Students and Teachers edition but (1) it may not have the programs you
need and (2) it has specific requirements for the status of the owner.

...

With 3 computers, it's likely the OP doesn't live alone. The STE has
requirements, but they're pretty lose.

Now, since the OP has Office 2002 and 2003, the cheapest path would be
to note that there really isn't much difference between Office 2002 and
2003, so just install Office 2003 on the other desktop, since it can be
installed on both desktop and laptop. If the OP just can't handle one
desktop having a different version, then cheapest to buy another copy
of Office 2002 (probably through secondary market channels like eBay or
Amazon.com) and install it on the laptop and the other desktop.

As for the apps, if the OP only uses Word, it'd be cheaper to buy the
latest version of Works for the other desktop. The word processor in
Works is Word without VBA. Only if the OP needs Access would there be a
problem with the STE, but unless the OP wanted to do database
development on all 3 machines, Access on one desktop and the laptop and
the free Access runtime on the other desktop would the cheapest
solution.

 

[Harlan Grove]

Mike Hall (MS-MVP) wrote...
....

Now the next part involves subterfuge on the part of either the OP or the
store.. somehow, the OP must pretend to be a teacher or student, assuming of
course that the OP isn't either one of these, or have a friend that is
either who can then go to the University/College store and buy Office STE
legally.. this is then installed on the desktop and laptop because teachers
and students are allowed to do that..

The OP could be the parent of a school-aged child too. Or be a parttime
student himself. As I wrote, the requirements are pretty lax. Just read
'em for yourself at

http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/students/doyouqualify.mspx

The non-commercial, educational use only restriction is there but it'd
be difficult to enforce.

If you think about it, it fits the bill a little better than having 2002 on
one machine (but imagining it to be 2003), and Works on the other desktop
(you would have a tough time imagining that this was Office 2003)..

So, what do you think of this so far.. should we present this to the OP?..

To repeat, if the OP uses Word predominantly and doesn't use VBA,
there's no much difference between the 3. If that were the case,
another alternative would be installing the free OpenOffice if cheap
and same are the overriding concerns. Buying another license even of
Works wouldn't be as cheap.

 

[JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]]

Mike -

The college bookstore might sell the academic version of Office which is not
the same as the Students and Teachers Edition. You can buy the STE at darned
near any store that sells software, including Target and Wal-Mart.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

Harlan

You should come here more often.. not much gets passed you, eh..

However, you are mixing and matching Works Suite, XP 2002, and 2003.. the
OP wants all installations to be the same version, so what you should have
done was asked if.......

...... the OP has a Full retail version of Office 2003, because if that is
the case, it should be replacing the desktop that has the trial version of
Word (which should be removed before the thirty days are up.. I have heard
that trial MS software can be something of a trial to remove)..

Now the next part involves subterfuge on the part of either the OP or the
store.. somehow, the OP must pretend to be a teacher or student, assuming
of course that the OP isn't either one of these, or have a friend that is
either who can then go to the University/College store and buy Office STE
legally.. this is then installed on the desktop and laptop because
teachers and students are allowed to do that..

If you think about it, it fits the bill a little better than having 2002
on one machine (but imagining it to be 2003), and Works on the other
desktop (you would have a tough time imagining that this was Office
2003)..

So, what do you think of this so far.. should we present this to the OP?..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP] wrote...

You can legally install a retail version on one laptop and one desktop.
That
third system needs it's own license. Some will tell you that you could
get
the Students and Teachers edition but (1) it may not have the programs
you
need and (2) it has specific requirements for the status of the owner.

...

With 3 computers, it's likely the OP doesn't live alone. The STE has
requirements, but they're pretty lose.

Now, since the OP has Office 2002 and 2003, the cheapest path would be
to note that there really isn't much difference between Office 2002 and
2003, so just install Office 2003 on the other desktop, since it can be
installed on both desktop and laptop. If the OP just can't handle one
desktop having a different version, then cheapest to buy another copy
of Office 2002 (probably through secondary market channels like eBay or
Amazon.com) and install it on the laptop and the other desktop.

As for the apps, if the OP only uses Word, it'd be cheaper to buy the
latest version of Works for the other desktop. The word processor in
Works is Word without VBA. Only if the OP needs Access would there be a
problem with the STE, but unless the OP wanted to do database
development on all 3 machines, Access on one desktop and the laptop and
the free Access runtime on the other desktop would the cheapest
solution.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

JoAnn

When I was at school/college, the nearest thing to a computer was a wooden
frame complete with sliding beads.. the concept of academic or STE software
was not something that I would have understood.. I still struggle now.. does
it show?..

I have seen STE at Walmart too, but I was under duress to go into WalMart
because I hate it there.. I would not send my worst enemy into that store..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

Mike -

The college bookstore might sell the academic version of Office which is
not the same as the Students and Teachers Edition. You can buy the STE at
darned near any store that sells software, including Target and Wal-Mart.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

Harlan

You should come here more often.. not much gets passed you, eh..

However, you are mixing and matching Works Suite, XP 2002, and 2003.. the
OP wants all installations to be the same version, so what you should
have done was asked if.......

...... the OP has a Full retail version of Office 2003, because if that
is the case, it should be replacing the desktop that has the trial
version of Word (which should be removed before the thirty days are up..
I have heard that trial MS software can be something of a trial to
remove)..

Now the next part involves subterfuge on the part of either the OP or the
store.. somehow, the OP must pretend to be a teacher or student, assuming
of course that the OP isn't either one of these, or have a friend that is
either who can then go to the University/College store and buy Office STE
legally.. this is then installed on the desktop and laptop because
teachers and students are allowed to do that..

If you think about it, it fits the bill a little better than having 2002
on one machine (but imagining it to be 2003), and Works on the other
desktop (you would have a tough time imagining that this was Office
2003)..

So, what do you think of this so far.. should we present this to the
OP?..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP] wrote...
You can legally install a retail version on one laptop and one desktop.
That
third system needs it's own license. Some will tell you that you could
get
the Students and Teachers edition but (1) it may not have the programs
you
need and (2) it has specific requirements for the status of the owner.
...

With 3 computers, it's likely the OP doesn't live alone. The STE has
requirements, but they're pretty lose.

Now, since the OP has Office 2002 and 2003, the cheapest path would be
to note that there really isn't much difference between Office 2002 and
2003, so just install Office 2003 on the other desktop, since it can be
installed on both desktop and laptop. If the OP just can't handle one
desktop having a different version, then cheapest to buy another copy
of Office 2002 (probably through secondary market channels like eBay or
Amazon.com) and install it on the laptop and the other desktop.

As for the apps, if the OP only uses Word, it'd be cheaper to buy the
latest version of Works for the other desktop. The word processor in
Works is Word without VBA. Only if the OP needs Access would there be a
problem with the STE, but unless the OP wanted to do database
development on all 3 machines, Access on one desktop and the laptop and
the free Access runtime on the other desktop would the cheapest
solution.

 

[JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]]

I tend to shop more at Target than Wally World. It's closer to my home.
These days about the only thing I get at WM is bird and squirrel seed.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

JoAnn

When I was at school/college, the nearest thing to a computer was a wooden
frame complete with sliding beads.. the concept of academic or STE
software was not something that I would have understood.. I still struggle
now.. does it show?..

I have seen STE at Walmart too, but I was under duress to go into WalMart
because I hate it there.. I would not send my worst enemy into that
store..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

Mike -

The college bookstore might sell the academic version of Office which is
not the same as the Students and Teachers Edition. You can buy the STE at
darned near any store that sells software, including Target and Wal-Mart.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

Harlan

You should come here more often.. not much gets passed you, eh..

However, you are mixing and matching Works Suite, XP 2002, and 2003..
the OP wants all installations to be the same version, so what you
should have done was asked if.......

...... the OP has a Full retail version of Office 2003, because if that
is the case, it should be replacing the desktop that has the trial
version of Word (which should be removed before the thirty days are up..
I have heard that trial MS software can be something of a trial to
remove)..

Now the next part involves subterfuge on the part of either the OP or
the store.. somehow, the OP must pretend to be a teacher or student,
assuming of course that the OP isn't either one of these, or have a
friend that is either who can then go to the University/College store
and buy Office STE legally.. this is then installed on the desktop and
laptop because teachers and students are allowed to do that..

If you think about it, it fits the bill a little better than having 2002
on one machine (but imagining it to be 2003), and Works on the other
desktop (you would have a tough time imagining that this was Office
2003)..

So, what do you think of this so far.. should we present this to the
OP?..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP] wrote...
You can legally install a retail version on one laptop and one desktop.
That
third system needs it's own license. Some will tell you that you could
get
the Students and Teachers edition but (1) it may not have the programs
you
need and (2) it has specific requirements for the status of the owner.
...

With 3 computers, it's likely the OP doesn't live alone. The STE has
requirements, but they're pretty lose.

Now, since the OP has Office 2002 and 2003, the cheapest path would be
to note that there really isn't much difference between Office 2002 and
2003, so just install Office 2003 on the other desktop, since it can be
installed on both desktop and laptop. If the OP just can't handle one
desktop having a different version, then cheapest to buy another copy
of Office 2002 (probably through secondary market channels like eBay or
Amazon.com) and install it on the laptop and the other desktop.

As for the apps, if the OP only uses Word, it'd be cheaper to buy the
latest version of Works for the other desktop. The word processor in
Works is Word without VBA. Only if the OP needs Access would there be a
problem with the STE, but unless the OP wanted to do database
development on all 3 machines, Access on one desktop and the laptop and
the free Access runtime on the other desktop would the cheapest
solution.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

I would be more tempted to take in bird and squirrel food.. to feed the
employees.. lol..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

I tend to shop more at Target than Wally World. It's closer to my home.
These days about the only thing I get at WM is bird and squirrel seed.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

JoAnn

When I was at school/college, the nearest thing to a computer was a
wooden frame complete with sliding beads.. the concept of academic or STE
software was not something that I would have understood.. I still
struggle now.. does it show?..

I have seen STE at Walmart too, but I was under duress to go into WalMart
because I hate it there.. I would not send my worst enemy into that
store..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

Mike -

The college bookstore might sell the academic version of Office which is
not the same as the Students and Teachers Edition. You can buy the STE
at darned near any store that sells software, including Target and
Wal-Mart.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



Harlan

You should come here more often.. not much gets passed you, eh..

However, you are mixing and matching Works Suite, XP 2002, and 2003..
the OP wants all installations to be the same version, so what you
should have done was asked if.......

...... the OP has a Full retail version of Office 2003, because if that
is the case, it should be replacing the desktop that has the trial
version of Word (which should be removed before the thirty days are
up.. I have heard that trial MS software can be something of a trial to
remove)..

Now the next part involves subterfuge on the part of either the OP or
the store.. somehow, the OP must pretend to be a teacher or student,
assuming of course that the OP isn't either one of these, or have a
friend that is either who can then go to the University/College store
and buy Office STE legally.. this is then installed on the desktop and
laptop because teachers and students are allowed to do that..

If you think about it, it fits the bill a little better than having
2002 on one machine (but imagining it to be 2003), and Works on the
other desktop (you would have a tough time imagining that this was
Office 2003)..

So, what do you think of this so far.. should we present this to the
OP?..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP] wrote...
You can legally install a retail version on one laptop and one
desktop. That
third system needs it's own license. Some will tell you that you could
get
the Students and Teachers edition but (1) it may not have the programs
you
need and (2) it has specific requirements for the status of the owner.
...

With 3 computers, it's likely the OP doesn't live alone. The STE has
requirements, but they're pretty lose.

Now, since the OP has Office 2002 and 2003, the cheapest path would be
to note that there really isn't much difference between Office 2002
and
2003, so just install Office 2003 on the other desktop, since it can
be
installed on both desktop and laptop. If the OP just can't handle one
desktop having a different version, then cheapest to buy another copy
of Office 2002 (probably through secondary market channels like eBay
or
Amazon.com) and install it on the laptop and the other desktop.

As for the apps, if the OP only uses Word, it'd be cheaper to buy the
latest version of Works for the other desktop. The word processor in
Works is Word without VBA. Only if the OP needs Access would there be
a
problem with the STE, but unless the OP wanted to do database
development on all 3 machines, Access on one desktop and the laptop
and
the free Access runtime on the other desktop would the cheapest
solution.

 

[Art]

Thanks all.... The post about copying my laptop back to 2nd desktop was
helpful - I try to read the EULA's (how many people actually DO that?) but I
hadn't pick up on this.

I also hate Wal-Mart and was trying to avoid buying 2 or 3 full versions of
Office due to cost.... Full retail on full versions is a killer...

I have access to STEs (friends & family qualify) but I use software for home
based biz sometimes, so I haven't risked the chance of using that suff.

Thanks,
Art

 

[JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]]

It's nice to know that some people actually do believe in not using the STE
if they don't qualify. (By the way, friends who qualify aren't enough.)

 

[Art]

It's nice to know that some people actually do believe in not using the STE
if they don't qualify. (By the way, friends who qualify aren't enough.)

I understand about the 'friends' thing. I have been told that if you buy a
unused copy from someone who is authorized for a STE, that they have the
right to sell it and that makes it okay... I have never been sure about that,
but I don't push it.

It does suck to pay full-bore for stuff that you hear about others getting
for free or really discounted though.........

 

[JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]]

It does - having morals and ethics isn't easy, is it? I've been known to
grumble about how following the rules doesn't seem to pay off as much as
circumventing them. But I know that I couldn't handle the guilt or shame *in
myself* if I didn't do my best to do things right.

And my mom (who is 67) would kick my a$$ all the way out to Redmond! She
raised me better than that.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]