Software for charity?

Kotu · 26 Nov 2012 at 17:05

I am looking for some advice regarding getting cheaper software for a charity. I do some voluntary work for my local salvation army church and have found their office computer to be terrible (its some ancient single core celeron), I have found I can build them a fairly fast PC for quite cheap but the OS+office pretty much doubles the price, as they have 2 additional laptop computers, these would also need the same version of office.

Ive had a bit of a hunt around and it seems you can only really get upgrade versions of windows from the charity sites, I cant find any retail or OEM versions.

So whats the best way of getting:
1 copy of windows 7/8 for a newly built PC
3 copies of office

I know overclockers sell these, but the circumstances are different for this as the salvation army has to do fund raisers to put together the money, they are probably not going to bother if it ends up costing £500+.

Thanks for any advice.

kiel367 · 26 Nov 2012 at 17:07

http://www.openoffice.org/

that should save a few quid
http://www.openoffice.org/

Kotu · 26 Nov 2012 at 17:10

I don't think they would be able to use open source stuff, most the people who use the computers have very low computer literacy, even upgrading to newer office might confuse them a lot.

kiel367 · 26 Nov 2012 at 17:11

its pretty much exactly the same as office

bertles86 · 26 Nov 2012 at 20:29

http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/microsof.htm

jake108 · 26 Nov 2012 at 20:55

As a registered charity it entitles you to this Charity Technology Exchange - very very cheap Microsoft, Adobe, etc software. There are rules, you must be a registered charity, you must accept anyone in the charity from any background and not discriminate.

Not entirely sure if the Salvation Army would qualify fully or not, if you have any questions PM me in trust. I can help you setup an account if you like and go through the procedure with you - there is a little hurdle of signing up.

Worth a try, licenses are £9~ per windows license and £14~ per office IIRC. Prices depend on what you qualify as.

*edit*

This section may exclude but not sure "Religious organisations without a secular community designation are not eligible to participate in this programme. A secular designation is defined as an organisation separate from the church or religious organisation that provides services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith."