Microsoft Office Professional 2007 UPGRADE Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Normally I might wait to install a new software upgrade, but I just got a new laptop and thought it would be best to use Office 2007 with the new Vista operating system. I was wrong.
You would expect that a multi-billion dollar company like Microsoft could put out a powerful and bug-free piece of software. But after a month of using Office 2007, you get the distinct impression that this software is not ready for public release. Microsoft should be ashamed.
I don't know the root cause of my problems, but I have to stress that I am running a clean install of Office 2007 on Vista, so there shouldn't be any software conflicts or issues.
So what are my issues? The list is long:
-- My biggest concern is that MS Word constantly hangs and stalls. It can making editing a document very painful. I suspect the problem is when I put images or Visio diagrams into a document. But that is something the old MS Word was able to do without an issue. Oddly, if I have a colleague open the document and save it out in Word 2003, the problem goes away! What?! It's killing my productivity.
-- When ever I cut and paste from an old document, Word hangs for 15 to 20 seconds. And often the formatting and margins in my new document go haywire. I keep having to spend a ton of time fixing things. This never happened in the old Word. This is another time killer.
-- Every few days, Outlook 2007 starts telling me that it cannot display my email folders. Uh oh! I have to completely restart my computer to see my email again.
-- Outlook 2007 breaks many graphic emails that people send -- they look like a mess. It is because Outlook 2007 does NOT render HTML correctly since it uses the Word engine, not Internet Explorer to display email. I have no idea why Microsoft did this, but they have got to fix it.
-- Many of the issues in the old Word 2003 still haven't been fixed. If you place an image, it can often be hard to get it to appear correctly. Why can't they solve this one?
-- While most Office programs have the new ribbon interface (which I like), some programs like Visio 2007 do not. So you have to remember how to use two interfaces. Couldn't Microsoft find the time and money to update ALL its programs? Give me a break.
-- On a few occassions in Visio 2007, my files have failed to save correctly. At first I thought this must have been my fault, but it's happened to me a few times and can't be a coincidence. A few times I've gotten an error message and lost my work. Ug.
-- Word and Excel 2007 use a completely new file format. So anyone you send a document to has to have 2007 installed (which isn't likely the case). To get around this, you can save it down to a 2003 file format, but then you end up with two files on your hard drive -- one in the new format and one in the old format. What a pain! Also, there definitely seems to be an issue with Office 2007 opening older Office 2003 files. Could be the cause of many of my problems, but there is no way I can avoid using old files. They should have worked harder on compatibility.
There are good things about the new 2007. I do like the new interface design and the new features in Outlook 2007 are amazing for organizing tasks and sharing your calendar.
But I don't think it's fair that Microsoft released a product so full of serious, serious bugs that have cost me hours and hours of extra work. I didn't spend hundreds of dollars on a beta product and don't think the public should have to suffer. Surely they can afford to do better!
NEW ADDITION TO MY REVIEW:
Today I discovered that I can no longer paste Excel charts into Word like I used to. When I try, the chart goes in, but any bars/lines disappear.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Office Professional 2007 UPGRADE

Office Professional 2007 is a complete easy-to-use suite of productivity and information management software to help business professionals save time and stay organized. Powerful features centralize customer sales and project information in one place so users can respond more quickly to opportunities. Enhanced tools help create professional-quality business and marketing publications documents and presentations in-house.GeneralCategory:Office applicationsSubcategory:Office applications - office suiteLicense Type:Version upgrade packageLicense Qty:1 userLicense Pricing:StandardDistribution Media:CD-ROMPackage Type:RetailHeader / Localization:EnglishPlatform:WINSystem Requirements / OS Required:Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or laterSystem Requirements Details: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later - 500 MHz - RAM 256 MB - HD 2 GB; Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later - 500 MHz - RAM 256 KB - HD 2 GB.UNSPSC CodeUNSPSC Code:43231513Product IDUPC:882224263603Manufacturer Part:269-11093

Get 23% OFF

Click here for more information about Microsoft Office Professional 2007 UPGRADE

Read More...

Microsoft Office Standard 2007 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Microsoft's Office Standard 2007 is the version that includes the programs most people will be looking for in an office suite: Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook. While Microsoft did make some improvements, many changes have users frustrated and mad.
Pros
+ Standard version includes the 4 programs you actually want!
+ Like most new MS suites, allows for easier transfer between machines
+ Allows you to use on your home desktop AND your laptop!! Huge plus!!
+ New open document format based on xml - good for techies
+ Alternatively, you can still use the doc format you know and love
+ Excel now supports larger documents with more fields!
+ Cool new Powerpoint extras
+ Once you do overcome the learning curve, design has some plusse
+ Preloaded with Vista OEM computers, so install is MUCH faster than old version
Cons
- A list price of $400 means many will forgo Outlook and buy Home & Student suite for MUCH LESS
- The ribbon puts things in WEIRD places
- Microsoft disabled classic menus so you can't find stuff ... ARGH!!!
- Startup times seem a little slower ... why????
- Strangely slow performance with Word
The general hatred for the ribbon is well known. Microsoft Word and Excel have drawn the most heat. It took everybody years to learn those nested menus and hard to find functions. Now they are all moved!!!!
Actually, the ribbon wouldn't be so bad if you could have your regular old classic menus above it. Once you learn the ribbon, there's some logic to the way things have been relocated. Still, this was a huge blunder and I wonder if MS will back track on that.
This guy also includes Outlook, which is a MUST for me since I have to use Outlook on my work PC. I tried using the exported files in the new vista calendar apps, and none of them really worked that well. The professional Microsoft Office Professional 2007 FULL VERSION and ultimate Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 FULL VERSION [DVD] suite versions also include outlook.
Yet why the list price of $400? The Home and Student Office 2007 suite Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 is $150 and includes everything here except for Outlook. Is Outlook worth $250 now? To be fair, there are cheaper upgrade versions. Still, I may be switching to a new email / calendar / productivity program all-together.
The new XML doc format is Microsoft's way of getting away from the proprietary .doc format. This will aggravate some people too, but you can just save everything in the 2003 format. I like the new format and I think it will catch on with time.
Despite the short comings, once you get past the learning curve the programs themselves are improved.
Enjoy!!!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Office Standard 2007

Office Standard 2007 provides office software essentials to homes and small business so that users can get tasks done more quickly and easily. Office Standard 2007 is the office software suite that empowers you to create great-looking documents spreadsheets and presentations and to manage your e-mail messages calendar and contacts. With improved menus and tools enhanced graphics and formatting capabilities new time and communication management tools and more reliability and security Office Standard 2007 makes it easier and more enjoyable for you to get things done at home or at work.GeneralCategory:Office applicationsSubcategory:Office applications - office suiteLicense Type:Complete packageLicense Qty:1 userLicense Pricing:StandardDistribution Media:CD-ROMPackage Type:RetailHeader / Localization:EnglishPlatform:WINSystem Requirements / OS Required:Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or laterUNSPSC CodeUNSPSC Code:43231513Product IDUPC:882224154512Manufacturer Part:021-07746

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about Microsoft Office Standard 2007

Read More...

Kohan II: Kings of War Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The game takes away some of the time spending micromanagement tasks that most games have... Instead of spending time figuring out where to place buildings (required for upgrades and extra units) they are automatically built within the city, this allows for quicker army setup and allows to focus more on the strategy skills... I must admit the computer opponet is very clever and it takes time to adjust to this way of playing...
Overall, the game is great it doesn't allow for customized cities but then again we all develop a standard building placement plan after a couple of games...
The random map feature does a great job of laying out new maps for unlimited play alternatives....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kohan II: Kings of War

Get 41% OFF

Click here for more information about Kohan II: Kings of War

Read More...

Suze Orman Will & Trust Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Hello, I am the Trust and Wills attorney that worked with Suze Orman to create the Suze Orman Will and Trust kit. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to a user whom posted concerns here. *He expressed concern that there is a lack of clarity in a section of the will that could cause confusion. The sentence in question is:

"I nominate Mary Smith to act as my executor. If Mary Smith cannot serve then John Smith is to serve as the executor of my will."
The questions is whether the second sentence requires the insertion of a comma to avoid any confusion. This section, as written, is clear and correct. There is no confusion about who is being named as executor. And that is the guiding principle for the courts; is the intention of the person making the will clear to the reader. As written this program I believe you the reader can see that it is absolutely clear.
The poster also pointed out a grammar error in an instruction letter. We thanked the fellow for pointing out that there is a change of tense in the letter. This has been corrected and recently posted in a free update that is included with the program. But rest assured the letter's intent was clear even with the tense issue; I have complete confidence in the content of the letter. The cover letter provided in the program is a courtesy letter, much like a fax cover sheet and has no legal significance. To view the letter please go to: www.suzeorman.com/drletter/
*The same person expressed concern in his original post to the help website, about the use of what he called "boiler plate" language and the inability to delete text from the will document. The specific concerns were two passages dealing with children and minors. The specific wording and inability for users to alter the text was a very deliberate decision I encouraged Suze to make. After much research and consultation, I decided the language with respect to children and minors is absolutely necessary to protect the users of this program. After reviewing countless wills people created using other programs I saw so many errors and omissions due to the changes and additions made by the program users. By making changes, inconsistencies and errors were written into the documents. Those mistakes were enough to make the will invalid. To protect users of Suze's program, and to ensure that the final will that is created would be judged valid, we created a program where the user made selections and answered certain questions that then automatically inserted the correct legal language in their will.
That is why when you select "no children" in the user profile, your document will nonetheless include the sentence: "I intentionally leave nothing to anyone claiming to be child of mine regardless of the validity of their claim." Without such a sentence, if you had a child you did not know about, then that child would be able to take a large part, or even all of your estate upon your death. Sound far-fetched? Well, there have indeed been many famous cases where unknown children have surfaced and made successful claims on estates. I realize this will not pertain to most users, but Suze's focus was to create a program that gives everyone the best legal protection; so that is why it is included.
*There was also concern about the inclusion of a phrase addressing the right for the executor to retain the inheritance of a young person in a custodianship UTMA account. This phrase can save an estate a great deal of time and money. Because of this phrase, the executor will not need to create a guardianship for the minor in the courts which can easily cost $5,000. The provision allows the executor to protect a young person beyond age 18, in some states covering up to age 25. Even if you don't name a minor child as a beneficiary, this phrase can be important. If one of your beneficiaries dies before you, or with you, that person's child or children will often become the beneficiary as a result of the death. Because of this, I encouraged Suze to include the phrase in the program. Again, our goal is to protect everyone from as many possible scenarios based on our extensive real life experience.
I thank you for your concern. Please know that I worked with Suze for months creating and vetting this program to make sure it would truly deliver a valid will to all users. The issues you raise were indeed discussed during the development of this program. The wording we chose was very intentional to ensure that all users had the utmost protections, and that there was no possibility that any user would inadvertently make a change that could render the document invalid.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Suze Orman Will & Trust Kit

This is an easy-to-use and fast way for you and other members of your household to create your own advance directive, also known as a living will, durable power of attorney for health care, living revocable trust, and all the other must-have documents you need to protect you and your family. It's as easy as 1-2-3—simply personalize, print, and protect. Suze Orman and her own estate trust attorney have created the most state-of-the-art documents found anywhere. There are more than $2,500 worth of estate documents in this kit. Why pay thousands of dollars when you can get the same documents in this kit! This kit includes: • More than 50 state-of-the-art documents • Free automatic on-line updates • Verbal and written instructions taking you step by step through the four must-have documents • Password protection securing multiple users' information • A tutorial that shows you everything you need to know • 10 electronic books PC and Macintosh Compatible . . . and good in all 50 states!

Click here for more information about Suze Orman Will & Trust Kit

Read More...

Microsoft Money 2004 Small Business Plus Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This was a new install rather than an upgrade, so I came in without preconceived notions. First impression, fairly intuitive and nicely integrated with banking and basic inventory systems. The HUGE drawback is that it is amazingly rigid! You cannot, for example, change the billing terms on an invoice! Hope your terms are the same as one of the 5 options Microsoft gives you, otherwise you're out of luck. More examples: invoices do not reflect partial payments; you cannot change shipping methods beyond the options they give you (Has Microsoft ever heard of customer pickup?); and you are very limited in your decisions about what information can and cannot be included on correspondence. Setting up inventory system is also tedious as you can't duplicate and edit similar items. Lastly, as the previous reviewer mentioned, tech support is worthless. It's an overseas support line and while the operators are polite and speak English well, all they do is enter search criteria into the help dialog and try to find the answer for you! Literally no more helpful than if you were to do it yourself. Bottom line - probably would have been a great package if it was released in 1998, but of course, 5 years of progress is tough ignore.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Money 2004 Small Business Plus

Best for managing your small business and personalfinances.Product Information
MicrosoftMoney 2004 Small Business provides the small business or soleproprietor with the tools they need to manage their small business finances.Right Tools for Your Business - Money Small Business provides you with the toolsyou need to managecustomers, vendors, inventory and more. Spend less timeaccounting for your business and more time running it. Consolidated Viewof Financial Information - View and access information from multiple financialinstitutions in one place so youalways know your overall financial health.Save Time Organizing and Managing Your Finances - Download checking, credit cardand other transactions from your bank automatically for up-to-date information.

Product FeaturesMake informed decisionsThe Breakeven Analysis will help you determine the right price. Factor inoverhead, advertising, and other costs to ensure you sell at a profit.

Business Resource CenterProvides you withbusiness news, headlines, special reports, and helpfularticles from the bCentralT small business portal.

No more payroll headachesInstant and accurate tax calculations. Print paychecks from your desktop. E-mailreminders and to-dolists keep you in control of tax deadlines.Federal tax forms are filled out automatically, you just sign and mail. One yearsubscription from PayCycle included.

Create, customize, and e-mail invoices Use the InvoiceDesigner to add your company logo, colors, and styleto create professional-looking invoices. Add discounts to items and useprint preview to ensure your invoices look exactly how youwant them to.

Save timeAutomatically import andexport contacts to or from the Microsoft Outlookclient

Click here for more information about Microsoft Money 2004 Small Business Plus

Read More...