Open Office is a complete suite of office programs produced by Sun Micro Systems. It’s biggest advantage is that it is free to download. It contains all the usual elements of a suite of office programs. Word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentation. Open Office was loaded at all the systems they sell. There are great advantages to using Open Office. It’s word processing software has a similar layout to Microsoft Word 2003 or earlier. The toolbar has the same icons in the same order.

It can read documents that were produced using Microsoft Office, so you won’t miss out if someone sends you a document produced in MS Office. Conversely if you produce a document in Open Office and wish to send it to an MS user, you can “Save As” and save the document in MS Office format so that other people can read it. In Addition to, Open Office has a built in pdf converter. You can export your document in pdf format and then anyone with pdf reading software can read it. The most common pdf reading software is Adobe Reader.

What do you do if you are a beginner to computing and you have Open Office? You will find that most beginner’s courses are written for Microsoft Office users. This is understandable as Microsoft Office has been dominant in the market for many years and if you attend a course in a college or school, the chances are that the computers you use will have MS Office loaded. Open Office users starts right at the beginning and introduces you to your computer and the mouse. It teaches you to use the keyboard and how to edit your text. It shows you what the icons in Open Office Writer do. Once you have mastered the mouse and learnt basic layout and editing it moves on to showing you how to produce a poster, how to handle columns and how to use Font Works. Simply put it teaches you the basics of word pressing with Open Office Writer and then introduces you to some of the more advanced features. It is a complete beginners course, but written specifically for Open Office users.

The first thing to consider when buying used and refurbished computers is the brand. While there are many different companies that specialize in selling used computers, it might be best to go with a reputable brand name. The reasons are two-fold. First, you can be sure that the parts used in manufacturing are of a high quality. Second, you will also be able to secure some type of warranty, which may not be offered by other dealers.

The next tip in buying used and refurbished computers is to make sure that that you receive the proper software documents and licenses. Often times people try to pass off stolen computers as “used”, so it is important to request the paperwork upfront. It is also important to have this software in case you need to do any type of system restore or back-up.

It is also important that you try any refurbished computer before you buy. Most reputable dealers will allow you to use the computer for a short period of time to check out before committing to purchase. What are a few of the things you should be looking for? Make sure that all installed programs boot up and perform correctly. Do a thorough check of all graphics, video, and sound drivers and also make sure other accessories work properly (mouse, monitor, keyboard, etc.). Lastly, be sure to check all CD and disk drives to make sure they open and close correctly.

Another thing to consider when buying a used or refurbished computer is the support option. Does the company you want to buy from have ample support staff available? And are the hours convenient with your own schedule? If a business does not offer support for the system you are considering, it is best to move on to another choice.

Lastly, make sure that you are safe if shopping online for your used or refurbished computer. The internet can pose many dangers, so protect your personal information on any site that you choose to do business with. A quality site will have some type of encryption service in place to keep your financial transaction private.