Microsoft Works Suite 2007 [Money- Encarta- Picture It- Streets -amp- Trips- Word 2002] Description:

Microsoft Works Suite 2007 [Money, Encarta, Picture It, Streets & Trips, Word 2002] review:
3 stars (Decent software, but not worth the cash) - Microsoft has, as always, produced decent software. It is nothing to get excited over, but it does its job.



The problem with this software, as with all other Microsoft software, is that it is so overpriced. If it is your company buying or something, then go ahead and get it, the software works well, and it does its job as well as anything else you're going to find, not to mention that since most other people use Microsoft products, your documents will be compatible.



But if you are buying for yourself, I strongly suggest you look into something else. There are numerous open source programs available on the internet, as well as other commercial programs that can be bought for less money that will work just as well.



As for the other programs (money, encarta, picture it, streets & trips), they are also not that great. Why buy an expensive Microsoft encarta when you have Wikipedia? Why buy streets and trips when you have MapQuest and Google Earth? Why buy Money when you can get other programs that are just as good if not better either cheap or free?



The choice is up to you
3 stars (Dont think I'll like it as much..........) - as my old Works Suite 2002. I tried installing the 2002 suite on my new computer. Kept getting an error message about not being able to display the EULA agreement for me to accept, and thus wont install the Works Task launcher. I tried all the "fixes" but it just wouldnt install, so, I bought the Works Suite 2007 from Amazon. Well, I got an error message after I installed it. This time about not being able to run it on Windows 95, 98 and 2000. Well, I'm using XP Pro. Long story short, I just right clicked on TASK LAUNCHER, THEN COMPATIBILITY, THEN UNCHECKED THE COMPATIBILITY MODE BOX, and the program started up. I also had to uninstall Office 2003, which uses Word 2003 because Works Suite 2007 uses Word 2002. This was on the advice of Microsoft Tech support.

I was shocked to find vast changes. They just dont give you as many templates or programs like they did in WS 2002 in my opinion. I was very, very disappointed. Picture It is TOTALLY revamped and looks so much more complicated. Money stayed about the same. Gone from Word ( via task launcher) is the Wizard that would you pre-select styles, fonts, colors, letterheads etc. Calendar is the same....just a different color depending on what desktop motif you use. Anyway, what I did, was transfer to floppy, my favorite WORKS 2002 templates/programs that worked in Word 2002, from my old computer to the new one, and so far it's worked just fine.

I still like the old version of Works Suite...I think it's more user friendly, and I know it gave you more templates and programs to choose from. Lots of Glitz, Picture It is REALLY different, but I think I've lost more than I gained.
2 stars (Can't email from MS Word 2002 document) - I recently upgraded by computer from Windows 98 to Windows XP. When the computer came from Gateway I assumed it would include MS Word 2000. It included Microsoft Works Suite 2007 that included MS Word 2002, which I assumed would be an enhancement of MS Word 2000.



On my Windows 98 computer with MS Word 2000, on the toolbar there was an icon that permitted me to email a document (and add one or two attachments). I expected that the updated version of MS Word 2002 would include that feature as well. To my amazement, it did not.



Secondly, in MS Word 2000 when I click on "Open" it permits me to view files alphabetically, or in the order of when last modified or created. The MS Word 2002 doesn't permit me to do that.



I write letters and reports and send them through email. Without those features, the entire Windows XP computer with Microsoft Works Suite 2007 that I bought is useless. I don't know what to do to salvage this. Now, my Windows XP computer is sitting on the floor, and I don't know what to do with it.



Why aren't those features included in MS Word 2002 as they were with MS Word 2000 with the ability to email documents from within MS Word, and add one or two attachments?



What Microsoft product must I purchase that includes those features within MS Word?



What is so frustrating about this is that as a customer I have no way of knowing what I am getting when I buy Microsoft products. I couldn't have anticipated that MS Word 2000 was more useful for my purposes than MS Word 2002. This is so unfair on the part of Microsoft and I think is strong evidence of the disadvantages of monopoly control for consumers.