staroffice | word compatibility

hi, i wonder is any using star office? i`m running version 5.2 and i`m having some troubles while trying to view some doc files -originated in word- , specially with tables and bullets...
apparently, soffice changes the attributes of the bullets, and renders useless the tables built in word... i usually do translation and corrections stuff with the other "word generated" doc files. is there any way of loading the tables et all, but not changing their attributes? a read only solutin is of no use, i`m a fraid...
please, if someone has some tricks, or has a useful link to this regard, i will be totally thankful, i would really hate if i have to install that dreadful "msft office" in my computer, word is so stupid, and so intrusive...
thanks a universe.

You may get the help you need if you post in the "General Software" area.

uups, thanks readrj, sorry about that...