Alternatives to MSWorks?

[JEBB]

I am teaching a SeniorNet course dealing with computer applications. The course is written around MSWorks and the local senior center only has Windows computers.

The program has some nice features but is severly lacking in others. I want to recommend an all-in-one program like Works to the students that is not so expensive as Office nor as large as OpenOffice.

I like AppleWorks on my Mac and would recommend it to them but for at least two reasons: The first is that it is only sold as an academic package, the second is that in trying to duplicate some of the lessons of the course with it, it has crashed a lot on my ThinkPad (XP/SP2). It may have crashed because I had inserted MSWorks documents into it or it may be because it really isn't that friendly with XP.

Any suggestions?

[onthedownlow]

Why not download OpenOffice, being free, and burning it on CDs for students that request it (due to downloading limitations...speed, etc.)?

What is the class size?

[mattkime]

there just isn't much in the market for that kind of product.

why?

file compatibility.

most people got MSWorks free with their machine.

[samintx]

I have always translated data between PC and mac with Lotus 123, Works, Excel

[JEBB]

Class size: There are 10 in the class and half have Windows 98 computers at home.

Why: I think OO is too feature rich and hence confusing to them, and I'm not sure their old computers would be able to run it well enough.

[onthedownlow]

Then I suppose you are stuck. They or you will have to adapt. I don't know.