IBM/Lotus have recently released a free office software suite. The program is called Lotus Symphony and is available for Windows and Linux PCs with a mac version promised in the near future. Within a short time from its release date Symphony has picked up numerous awards, including Datamation product of the year (Feb 2008). Symphony provides a very capable Word Processor, Spreadsheet program (and from the company that created the product that really launched the PC, Lotus 123, it works very well) and finally a Presentation program. There are a number of features lacking when compared to Microsoft Office or OpenOffice but Symphony has a relatively small disk size with an install running at just over 350MB. The screen layout on all of Symphony's programs are designed to better suit a wide screen monitor, as is becoming the standard on almost all of today's computers, notebooks and netbooks.

As with OpenOffice, Symphony can read the new MS Office 2008 document formats but can't save them. Instead there is an export feature that will allow saving in older MS Office versions up to Office XP/2003. By default Symphony will save documents in the OpenDocument format but these cannot be read by Apple's iWork or MS Office. The default document type can be changed to save as Microsoft formats. Symphony can also export the files directly to PDF. There is no email program in the standalone version which is available as a free download. IBM do offer a version that includes Lotus Notes but this is aimed mainly at corporate clients.

The Symphony interface is very easy to use and any user of an Office type program will have no problems adapting. There are some features that are missing from Symphony that are included in MS Office like the drop down formula selection in Excel, but considering that Symphony is free it is something most people can live without. In fact, for the average user I don't think any feature will be missed.

Software Service

In other news I attended a presentation a few weeks ago about software as a service. This means that your program is run on a server somewhere rather than running on your own computer. I can't say I was very comfortable with that idea. Google have google docs, offering spreadsheets, word processing by using online programs. Google have a reputation for holding, storing and indexing data and they make money from it. Do I like the idea that everything I type in a document or spreadsheet is being indexed, stored and probably distributed or available for distribution? No, and neither should you.

When I use a word processor, be it Word, OpenOffice Writer or Symphony Document, there is always a temporary recovery file created. Is this the same online? What happens with the documents? I couldn't get any answers and the responses from online service company's was vague at best and mentioned privacy every other word. At the presentation this idea was being hailed as a way forward, the next generation. I can see this only for corporates where they can invest in a server and host it themselves. I seriously doubt that any company would want their information catalogued and used for other means.

The great unlimited limited internet: Vodagroan

I saw an offer on Vodafone's website, UNLIMITED MOBILE INTERNET £7.50 per month. It was a deal I thought I couldn't refuse so I called them up to get it added on my account. The conversation went a ittle like this:

"So, 7.50 and I can use as much as I want when I want from my mobile and the connected computer?" - I inquired

"Yes" - he confirmed

"Anytime and as much as I want?" - queried I in disbelief

"Yes, any time and unlimited, although there is a fair usage policy of 500mb" - he states

"A what?" - I asked, a little confused

"A 500MB fair usage policy" - he states, again

"What’s that then?" - I probe

"Well, to be fair to other customers there is policy that if you use over 500MB in a month you will receive a warning and if you continue to use the unlimited internet you will be charged for any usage over 500MB", he continues, "it is in the Terms and Conditions"

"Mmmmm, well that’s not really unlimited then is it?" - I propose

"Yes, it is unlimited but with a fair usage policy of 500MB" - he counters

"Yes, you said, but if there is a limit of 500MB then it's not unlimited is it?" - I ask, getting a little bit annoyed

"Yes, it is unlimited but with a 500MB fair usage policy" - he calmly replies

"No", I say with a hint of frustration, "If there is a limit then it is not unlimited. It does not matter how you label it, it is a limit"

"Look", he says, getting a bit flustered, "it's just like the unlimited SMS, there is fair usage policy of 3000 texts per month"

"So really you could say that it is 3000 a month SMS not unlimited SMS?" - I ask getting rather angry

"No, I've told you, they are unlimited but with a fair usage policy" - he replies with an edge of uncertainty cutting into his voice

"Which is a limit" - I notion in a defiant tone

"No, it's unlimited" - there is an infuriating calmness creeping back into his voice

"You mean it's an unlimited, limited limit then?" - I ask in a rather sarcastic tone

"Yes for fair usage" - he replies, completely ignoring the sarcasm

"Up to 500MB limit?" - I ask again, with more sarcasm

"No,up to the 500MB fair usage policy" - he says, correcting my statement

"After which I get charged?" - I ask knowing full well what the answer will be

"Yes" - he says, breathing heavily as though I've finally succumbed to his view

* A little pause and I take a deep breath *

"I think you need to get a dictionary" - I propose

"What for?" - he asks

"To look up the word unlimited"

"So you don't want the unlimited usage then?"

"I do but that's not what you're selling is it?" - rather despondent

"Yes, it is unlimited but with a..." - he tries but fails, I've had enough, I'm going

"Yes, I know, goodbye!" - I say with calmness returned on a deep breath.

They do train these zombies well don't they? Is a lobotomy essential to being a telephone service sales person? I think so.

How many people would actually read the Terms and Conditions? Read the small print? How many people would be drawn into this £7.50 a month for a 500MB unlimited limited limit? So be warned, READ THE SMALL PRINT. Your unlimited deal may be very limited indeed. Sorry, may have a FAIR USAGE policy. Fair to whom?