I’ve been setting up a machine for my daughter to take to university and have been looking at what to install. She’ll need some form of Office package. Obviously I have access (not Access) to all kinds of software but without legal licences for her to use. I was encouraging her to use Open Office (as I do at home) but apart from it being that little bit different she is put off by the name “open” doesn’t that mean other people can change it? I don’t want my work open to others. Did I mention she was going to university? She isn’t really as stupid as that comment makes her sound. Anyway the other option (apart from the obvious illegal one and the one that should be obvious but somehow isn’t - ie buying MS Office) is to get a student edition - MS have for years provided cheap licences for students. I have been trying to find out how to get one.

Google “Microsoft student” or “educational” turns up Amazon references to Encarta, the Nation Union of Students site search for Microsoft came up with “how to get a job at MS”. Then, just as I was looking for my Open Office install disks along came http://www.computershopper.co.uk/shopper/news/124820/students-get-office-2007-ultimate-for-39.html

(IT Pro sister mag, I’m sure IT Pro will cover it soon)

The only problem is you need a .ac email which she won’t have until next week. I’m installing the trial version and hopefully she can get the key then.

The advantage to MS is obvious, if they didn’t provide cheap ones students could easily share versions and are not likely to be paying the