Apple has made the beta version of its web-based iWork suite free for users who don't own any actual Apple hardware.

AppleScript is an easy way to automate just about anything on your Mac -- and that includes Apple's own productivity suite, iWork. iWork Automation is a site that shows you how to make the most of that AppleScript support.

Apple announced last October that its iWork suite would be free for new iPhone, iPad and Mac buyers -- but not for existing owners. But as one Australian buyer discovered, Apple's advertising of the products as "free" in some contexts means you might be able to score a free copy under Australian consumer law even with an older device.

Last month, Apple introduced a new version of the iWork suite of office productivity apps and announced that all new Mac and iOS devices will receive it for free. If you're not purchasing a new Mac but have upgraded to the Mavericks, you can still get in on the action with a simple hack.

Apple announced its Google Docs competitor, iWork for iCloud, earlier this year. Now it's finally available for users to try out.

Apple's iWork suite, long available for your Mac or iDevice, will soon be available on the web. At WWDC Apple announced new web apps that offer similar features their desktop counterparts, right from the web browser, on any desktop platform.

iOS: Apple's presentation, word processing and spreadsheet apps — Keynote, Pages and Numbers — previously available for Mac and iPad, can now be downloaded to your iPhone and/or iPod touch. And if you already own iWork for iPad, it's a free upgrade to the new universal app.