docx viewer/converter

[gadusmorhua]

My wife's laptop, running vista home basic, only came with works word processor loaded, and cannot open docx files. Although I put zamzar on her favourites it can, when busy, take time to get the link, so I am after some freeware to convert and/or view the file.I don't think she is fussed about being able to edit it. Can anyone recommend something?Although she only needs a very basic wp I was thinking about downloading openoffice for her, as I noticed in my searches that it had a file converter wizard- will that handle docx?
Thanks,
Gads

 

[niemiro]

If all you want to do is view the files then the free Microsoft Word Viewer and Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack will do the job. This will allow you to open and view your .docx files. Both are free, small and easy to download. I will try and post the links to them soon.

Richard

EDIT:

Word Viewer: Download details: Word Viewer

Office Compatiblility Pack: Download details: Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats

 

[gadusmorhua]

Thanks Richard, I've downloaded that for her indoors, and she is over the moon that she won't have to keep reminding people not to send her .docx files.It's nice it just works, no dragging and dropping files etc. I don't know much about computers (you guessed!), but why are there all these different file extensions.It could seem like sheer madness to some...

 

[Imperfect1]

I don't know much about computers (you guessed!), but why are there all these different file extensions. It could seem like sheer madness to some...

It's not madness, it's actually the opposite -- file extensions are a very exacting way of describing exactly what each kind of file is and what function it does: Every file extension represents either a different manufacturer of that type of file and/or within the same manufacturer, a different type of file. For example there are several manufacturers of word processing files, (e.g. Microsoft manufactures Office and Corel manufactures WordPerfect), and within Office, for example, there are multiple different kinds of files -- each having their own function, as well as different versions of each, depending on when they were released.

The file extensions actually serve as 'shortcuts' to inform you of who the manufacturer is, exactly what type of file it is, and with some, even which version it is.

 

[Imperfect1]

I don't know much about computers (you guessed!), but why are there all these different file extensions.It could seem like sheer madness to some...

It's not madness, it's actually the opposite -- file extensions are a very exacting way of describing exactly what each kind of file is and what function it does: Every file extension represents either a different manufacturer of that type of file and/or within the same manufacturer, a different type of file. For example there are several manufacturers of word processing files, (e.g. Microsoft manufactures Office and Corel manufactures WordPerfect), and within Office, for example, there are multiple different kinds of files -- each having their own function, as well as different versions of each, depending on when they were released.

The file extensions actually serve as 'shortcuts' to inform you of who the manufacturer is, exactly what type of file it is, and with some, even which version it is.

 

[gadusmorhua]

Ah, I understand. I thought perhaps it was MS (or whoever) trying to sell you their latest software so you can open all the file types.I've had friends with XP wonder if it is time to install Vista, or upgrade their Office simply because they couldn't open my .wps files.
Thanks for the explanation.
Gads

 

[Imperfect1]

Ah, I understand. I thought perhaps it was MS (or whoever) trying to sell you their latest software so you can open all the file types.

I'm sure it's some of that too! Software manufacturers are always looking for a way to make another buck. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that file extensions do have a legitimate purpose. And I'm sure some real teckies can explain that purpose in more technical terms that I'm able to. . .