TESCO takes on Microsoft

[Kepouros]

TESCO is to go head-to-head with Microsoft in the battle for the software market. During this month TESCO will launch its own branded software in 100 stores throughout the country, commencing with 6 products which will include office suites and security suites, personal finance, CD and DVD burning and photo editing, all at less than £20 each.  The software has been developed in conjunction with Formjet. 
The launch will be accompanied by the opening of a new website known as
`TescoSoftware.com`

I wonder how long it will be before Microsoft send out an update which prevents any of it working!

[Kepouros]

[Roy Bham UK]

Sounds OK and good luck to "Tesco" Although we can get most of these for free already? Maybe not with the go faster stripes but for free nevertheless ???

Here's one for starters...http://why.openoffice.org/

[keef]

Sounds OK and good luck to "Tesco" Although we can get most of these for free already? Maybe not with the go faster stripes but for free nevertheless ???

Here's one for starters...http://why.openoffice.org/

Exactly my thoughts, i expect they'll just be trying to flog derivitives of freeware anyway - i doubt Tesco have setup there own software publishing house.

[woppa30]

If its stuff like openoffice they can't sell it the GNU license helps stop that...
If people want free software for these try
the GIMP for photo editing, just like photoshop but without the price tag (free)
Openoffice has been mentioned.
AVG free edition for anti virus. They do a commercial version as well but the free one has served me well for four years now. Never had a problem with a virus.
Firewall, use windows built in (with XP) and if you have broadband USE A ROUTER. Do not just plug your computer into the cable or ADSL modem. A router has a built in firewall and provides something called NAT. These cost about £20 for the non wireless versions. This makes you almost bulletproof and invisable on the net.
CD and DVD burner - google deepburner. Again they have a free version as well as a commercial one.
For the ultimate in fre software try linux. Every application to every job you can think of plus a load you can't and its all free :-) Yes I mean free

[Roy Bham UK]

For the ultimate in fre software try linux. Every application to every job you can think of plus a load you can't and its all free :-) Yes I mean free

I have heard of "Linux" quite a lot lately, haven't a clue what it does or what it replaces, could someone enlighten me please? Oh and in simple terms as I'm a bit fick when it comes to Puters. ;D

[grawrc]

afaik it replaces windows ie it is an operating system which seems to be muchly preferred by anyone techie. Also it is free.

[Roy Bham UK]

Hmm! :-\  thanks grawrc, if it is a bit techie then I'd best leave it alone :-\ was "afaik" a typo? as I no not what it means :-[

[grawrc]

afaik=As far as I know!! :P

I don't think it is complicated Roy! My son has installed it on a PC for his 4 year old daughter!.
Trywww.ubuntu.com - recommendation from my lads.

[Roy Bham UK]

 ;) Thanks again grawrc, if I use it and like it do I remove IE, if so how do I remove it? ??? sounds interesting :-\ ;D

[redimp]

Tis a togh one Roy - would like to trry Unix but would mean unistalling Windows then if it didn't suit doing it all again the other way round.  Once I get over that hurdle might give it a go.  Like the look of the edu one for school but just ordered loads of laptops and of course they come with Windows preinstalled. ???

[wellingtons]

It'll be interesting to see how they get on ... but obviously it's not just MS that they're going up again with antivirus and photo-editing software. 

Where new entries into an existing marketplace often fall down is misjudging the consumer take up and not having the infrastructure in place to deal with the support and customer services.

The Carphonewarehouse are probably the most recent example of this with their free broadband offer.  It's a fantastic brand that may well be irreparably damaged by a bigger take up than their wildest dreams!

[Roy Bham UK]

 ::) Sorry off topic :P

I’ve just noticed RC if I press the “Ignore” button your offensive A4A text and plug link for your most desired site disappears, that’s great. ;D

Can someone please tell me when they have both been removed as I used to enjoy talking to RC at one time? ::)

[grawrc]

Roy, Linux is a derivative of Unix. You don't need to uninstall Windows. If you download the "CD" from Ubuntu, or ask them to send you an actual CD, you will have the option to install Linux alongside Windows so you can use either as and when.

[redimp]

::) Sorry off topic :P

I’ve just noticed RC if I press the “Ignore” button your offensive A4A text and plug link for your most desired site disappears, that’s great. ;D

Can someone please tell me when they have both been removed as I used to enjoy talking to RC at one time? ::)

::)

[Roy Bham UK]

 ;D That's cool ;) I will give it a bash when I pluck up enough courage, puters still scare me a little, have you installed "Linux" grawrc?

[grawrc]

Not on my own PC. I depend on my techie sons for the info. According to James, no 1 son, if you go to ubuntu it's straightforward to follow the instructions??? :o :o ;) mmm, think I'll have a looksee!

[Multiveg]

I could do with an office suite that doesn't crash several times while you are typing up an assignment for The Open University with a deadline only a few hours away. Previously, had absolutely no problem with Word. Now, the computer every so often goes for a think and has forgotten about Word - not responding. Sometimes, it remembers Word again and I don't lose any work, other times I lose a paragraph or two (I am in the habit of saving regularly).

[WASSISNAME]

From what I know about ubantu you have to partition your HDD and install it on the new partition, as it says " on installing ubantu it will remove your other software " but no clarification on which software. Think I will wait for further information from some techies before playing with it. It will run from the CD you receive, but that means going into the Bios of your computer and altering the boot up section. I await advice

[glow777]

I could do with an office suite that doesn't crash several times while you are typing up an assignment for The Open University with a deadline only a few hours away. Previously, had absolutely no problem with Word. 

This sounds more like a problem with the computer but if you are studying with the OU there is star office (which is a supported version of open office) on the OU software CD. I would download Open Office though the latest version is also much faster and can do everything MS office can do (and a few more bits eg print direct to pdf).

[woppa30]

Wow, I seem to have sparke an interest in Linux... people are right in that you need a separate unused partition to install it if you don't want to remove windows. This can come form space on your existing C drive opr from a second hard drive (internal or external USB type thingy...)

There is an alternative. Its called a "live cd" in that the computer boots from a cd without touching the hard drive (and hence windows). You have almost all the software and functionality that you want including office and internet apps etc. Have a look at Knoppix, two versions a cd and a DVD, yes, there is enough free software to fill a DVD (and then some)
Try this.
http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/knoppix/KNOPPIX_V4.0.2CD-2005-09-23-EN.iso
650 Mb and burn to CD and the DVD
http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/knoppix-dvd/KNOPPIX_V4.0.2DVD-2005-09-23-EN.iso
3.1Gb only download this if you know what you are doing...