That is also a real nice word processor, supporting loads of formats.
I work in IT, and I can get for myself (legally) ANY microsoft software. I use openoffice for my word processing, spreadsheeting and presentations. I use Linux as the OS on one of my computers (that I use the most) and only have windows as my web server because my work requires I do some VB.NET develepement.
Take it from someone who knows, MICROSOFT IS FUCKED. I have been in the situation a few times where I have been on a windows computer and I have had to do some word processing in Word. I got the shits with it on every occasion, downloaded openoffice and completed my word.
You do NOT need office. If I had it my way I would fuck off the .NET side of my job too, and write in Perl or PHP. Microsoft causes me nothing but headaches.