Microsoft Corp. has rolled out an early test of free Internet-based versions of Word and Excel spreadsheet software to thousands of customers, aiming to match similar applications from Google Inc. Some users of Microsoft's Windows Live service for storing files will have the option to try Office Web Apps, said Michael Schultz, a director with Microsoft's Office group. The trial product is missing some features and a full version will be available in the first half of 2010, he said. <sorry no links>

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