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ActiveRain saved me $500!

By Christianne O'Malley

Real Estate Agent with Dickson Realty BS.143506

June 15, 2009 06:14 AM

I am fairly new to the ActiveRain scene, and really only started participating, blogging, and getting soaked in the Rain in January 2009.

money

I gotta tell you, it's my favorite place to learn new things...but this week was particularly special. This week was special because I read yet another very informative and helpful blog post from Elayna Fernandez about OpenOffice from entitled Free Tools to Boost Productivity!

Elayna's blog helped me save almost $500! You see, my Microsoft Office 2003 suite had gone on the fritz about 3 weeks ago, and so I decided to download the 2007 trial. It was coming up for expiration in about 10 days. I read Elayna's post and was skeptical but I downloaded the OpenOffice trial.

On Saturday I installed OpenOffice and gave it a whirl. OMIGOSH! I love it. I love it better than Office. and I doubly love it because it's free!

So I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posts technology tips. And I have a very special thank you for Elayna - you rock!

Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.

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Diane Plant

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc, Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Broker, TorontoHomeSearch: Forest Hill Real Estate

"Rainers" are the best. There is all sorts of information shared between us.

If you have a question on a given topic you can go to that group (if it exists in Activerain) and post a question. I wanted to know more about giving seminars and I had great response and learned so much. They even wanted follow up and tips I learned.

Jun 15, 2009 11:58 PM

Anonymous

It is amazing what a person can learn on AR. I have never even heard of OpenOffice, or some of the other applications people have mentioned. Guess I have been spending too much time in the sun. Lucky you played in the rain just in time for savings!

Jun 16, 2009 12:39 AM

#43

Home Loan Search.Online

Home Loan Search Online - Newnan, GA

Yet one more reason to be in the rain. I just signed on for one more year of OneCare but need to check out the other options for virus protection on my home computer.

Jun 16, 2009 01:40 AM

Sheri Spain

Next Home Team - Raleigh, NC

Wake Co. NC REALTOR Apex to Raleigh to Wake Forest

Thanks for the great tip. Free is always great. I am going to check it out. As a Broker/Owner it is nice to have options to offer my agents

Jun 16, 2009 01:43 AM

Sheldon Neal

Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ

That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Congrats - on the great *free* product, and another nice feature :o)

Jun 16, 2009 02:36 AM

Kathy Opatka

RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD

Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

Christianne,

Perfect timing! Just yesterday I was debating whether to bite the bullet and BUY Office 2007/2009! Luckily, I didn't make a decision! I'm off to try Open office. Can anyone tell me what "Googledocs" does?

Kathy Opatka

Jun 16, 2009 02:41 AM

Dan Magstadt

Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc - Lake City, FL

Thanks for the post Christianne!! I'll have to check out Open Office myself!!

Best, Dan

Jun 16, 2009 03:22 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

I will never buy an Office Suite again. I use and have posted on it in the past.

Jun 16, 2009 03:33 AM

Gina Zimmerman

North Eastern Group Realty - Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne Real Estate

Yeah, this networking stuff is amazing. I work with a high tech team in Fort Wayne Indiana and I give them so much good stuff off of the RAIN. What a great community.

Jun 16, 2009 04:48 AM

Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker

Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE

Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

I agree that Avg is a good product for security. I have had it since last summer and it has been fantastic. I am going to check out the open office and if it looks good, I willput it on our other computer and then I will be able to say that Active rain and Christianne saved me money as well!

Thank you!

Mike McCann Broker

Jun 16, 2009 11:53 AM

Elayna Fernandez

the Positive MOM - Fort Worth, TX

BE Positive and You'll BE Powerful!

Wow, this is wonderful! I am so glad I blogged about it. Helping others feels awesome. Are you a mom?

BTW- Thank you Lynda, for reading. Thank you Irene for the hint. We should all meet at lunch! And, of course, Gary, thank YOU for your wonderful self!

Jun 16, 2009 03:10 PM

Jared Tafua

Prudential California Realty - Brea, CA

Saving money is Great! Looks like Active Rain will also help you make money by staying productive.

Jun 16, 2009 07:22 PM

Anonymous

Nancy Sustersic

Hi Christianne, I agree with you....Elayna Fernadez has been a life saver for me too. She's always offering great tips/advice/support for us in Naples Florida. Naples LOVES Her!!!

Elayna made me a couple blogs up when I had no idea how to promote my business and it has been terrific!! One she made for my business, the other one was for FUN! You should have seen Elayna at our business convention with Les Brown!! What other person would have walked up and said "Let's chat about your website, Mr. BROWN!" I'd have been paralized! She's awesome and what a great Mom too. Check out her www.PositiveMommies.com

Have a Superb Day,

Nancy Sustersic

The CEO of FUN!!!

Jun 17, 2009 12:47 AM

#54

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

I have no problems with Office but why $500? Hope you know that an upgrade from 2003 to 2007 is only around $200. I've found no need to change at this point but I will remember your suggestion for Open Office.

Jun 17, 2009 01:46 AM

Melissa King, ABR

Rivah Realty, LLC - Montross, VA

Yes, Active Rain is great for learning about free stuff. I have found so much on here!!!

Jun 17, 2009 02:42 AM

Christianne O'Malley

Dickson Realty - Reno, NV

Exceptional Service - Delivering Results in Reno!

Lyn - as I mentioned in the post, my 2003 version was corrupted and therefore ruined my chances for an upgrade.

Jun 17, 2009 04:38 AM

Troy Jowers

Pogo Realty, LLC - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Realtor

Can't wait to try it, and thanks for the link back to Elayna's original post. Very handy!

Jun 17, 2009 01:23 PM

Sheila Moran

RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX

SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

Nothing better than being able to log on and LEARN something new!

Jun 19, 2009 02:10 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

OpenOffice and many other shareware programs our there are great for business and personal use. Most of these programs are developed by someone with a beef against Microsoft, but what ever the reason, I'm glad they are there for our use.

Todd Clark - www.LivingBeaverton.com