Microsoft Word: An Unnecessary Evil?
http://www.mattbarton.net/tikiwiki/tiki-view_blog_post.php?blogId=871&postId=5539

MattBarton.net
2008

Abstract:

First and foremost, Microsoft Word is a solid piece of software, and the 2007 version is untouchable at present. It pretty much sets the standard. It's also in no way evil in and of itself. That said, it's unfortunately not free, so here are some alternatives that are.