Is it unwise to buy Access 2007 from anyone but Microsoft?

[feppisher]

My job uses Access 2007, and I need to have it at home so I can study it there and come up to speed soon.

But I find 2007 is no longer available from MS or from dependable outlets like Staples and Offfce Depot.

I'm leery about buying it online from some third party, for all the reasons one can imagine.



MY question is this: If I buy 2010 and study it in place of 2007, will that enable me to get up to speed on 2007? Or will it confuse me?

Also: A co-worker advised me to get Open Office, because she says its enough like Access to help me to my study goals . Because of personal budget considerations, I would naturally prefer that freebie? What do you think?

Thanks, Bill

[boblarson]

I would not buy from anyone but a reputable retailer (or MS direct). There are a lot of either pirated copies or sometimes they sell the keys to more than one person and soon you'll find out when your copy is disabled.

You could use Access 2010 to learn 2007 but there are several enhancements that you will come to miss when working in 2007. Like intellisense in queries and control sources, a way to modify the existing Ribbon easily, and more.

So it is up to you. As for OpenOffice ( haven't looked at it in a while but I seriously doubt that you will get familiar with 2007 by using it).

[feppisher]

Thanks a lot, Bob. That was very helpful.

Bill