Free Microsoft Office For Consumers Now Available
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Microsoft has overnight quietly launched a new, browser-based versions of Word, Excel and other Office programs for consumers. The services which are free, are designed to compete with Google Docs.

Microsoft has overnight quietly launched a new, browser-based versions of Word, Excel and other Office programs for consumers. The services which are free, are designed to compete with Google Docs.
The new Office Web Apps which analysts claim will hurt retail sales let people create, edit and share documents for free online however users will have to put up with advertising via their  Windows Live service.
A version of the Office Web Apps for businesses debuted last month for volume-licensing customers, but the consumer release marks the beginning of the company’s broader competition with Google Docs and other free online productivity tools. Microsoft is hoping to fend off those online competitors and protect the broader Office product line, which remains a significant part of the company’s business.
Microsoft Office 2010, the new version of the company’s traditional Office software suite, is slated for its consumer release next week. The software comes with built-in connections to the Office Web Apps tools.
The Office Web Apps, which require a Windows Live ID, are available at office.live.com.