How to import Word documents without Word 2k3

[RamonS]

I use OpenOffice.org since a few years now and find it to work well and be easy on the pocket unlike MS Office. Now I need to import a Word document and the only MS Office version I have is Office XP, which seems not to work out. I tried the Word Viewer since the only thing needed is to read the proprietary formats, but that wasn't good enough either. I guess I am out of luck or does someone have a solution for this other than shelling out hundreds of dollars for some mediocre Microsoft product? The binary formats are now public, there really is no reason to mandate to have Word installed.

[SteveS]

While not solving your problem per se, can you cut and paste the Word document? Flare IV is very good at that!

[RamonS]

That would get the document in, but I am working on a piece that describes the import process for a converted Word/FM/WebWorks user.

[LTinker68]

... and the only MS Office version I have is Office XP, which seems not to work out.

Office XP is 2003, isn't it? What do you mean it's not working out? Are you getting an error? If you just installed Office XP, then maybe you need to reinstall Flare to get it to recognize that Office XP is on the system.

[RamonS]

No, XP is the version before 2003. Even with it installed Flare didn't recognize it. I did find a way. I have Office 2003 at work and via VPN, emailed download link, and a lot of patience I was able to install Flare remotely on my work PC and do it that way. I just find it just silly to mandate Office when all the formats are public. I am convinced MadCap can write a routine for reading in Word docs that is better than Word itself.
Since I also have to do the same for Frame I guess I have to get creative. I think one can download a trial version of Frame (unlike MS Office).