Open Office problem with labels solved

I generally like Open Office, once I figure out the differences compared to using Word & Excel.  I encountered a peculiar problem with creating & printing the address labels in OO.  When I printed the labels, only the Canadian postal codes appeared on the printed label.  I posted the problem on the OO forums and found out that v 3.2 has a bug that doesn't recognize mixed text & numbers from a spreadsheet in a data source.  The forum tech provided a fix, which once I applied it correctly, worked like a charm. 

RIP Microsoft Works

I've had Microsoft Works on every computer I've owned since 1994.  It was pre-loaded on my first computer and I learned to use the various features.  It was easy to use, but unfortunately,  not compatible with any other office suite. After I got Office 97, I didn't use Works for much anymore, but I kept it so I could view the items I had saved in Works.  I have not upgraded it since Works 99, which included Word 97.  The current version, Works 9, claims that documents and spreadsheets can be viewed and edited in MS Office. Works is still available for purchase, but my new computer came with a pre-loaded starter version of 2010 Word & Excel rather than Works.  Though I can use Works 99 with  Windows 7, some of the features no longer function, but I see no reason to purchase the upgrade.

One thing that Works did extremely well was address labels.  I tried several times to convert my Works address book into Office, but never quite made the transition.  I eventually learned to create mailing labels in Word from an Excel spreadsheet  I found a program to convert my address book to Excel; however, it was an obnoxious little trial version that put their plug to purchase the program in about 25 cells that I had to edit. Now that I have my address book in Excel, I can finally put Works to rest.  I also saved the Excel spreadsheet in O-O, and can make address labels in O-O.  RIP Microsoft Works.

Windows Live Essentials 2011

I was prompted to install an update for Windows Live Essentials on my new laptop.  Since I do not have Outlook on the laptop and OE is no longer included with Windows 7, I decided to give Live Essentials a try.  Advise: don't bother with the 2011 version.  I might try the 2009 version or just get Thunderbird for a default mail program.