Word 97: A massive rewrapping / re-architecture of previous functionality that saw a number of inconsistencies removed, and a big improvement in list numbering. Unfortunately, the new features introduced a massive amount of document corruption. Word 2000: Rather than foist new features onto us, MS actually fixed most of the problems. The old infinite list templates problem was inherent for a while, I think a SP may have fixed that. Regardless, a regular maggie on dynamic documents and you're pretty safe. Word 2002 (Office XP): Task panes etc get shovelled in at the last minute by the marketing people. As this massively reworked features like reviewing, many features that worked well in 2000 were now broken. Word 2003 (Office 10): Some attempts to fix old problems saw some bizarre and nasty 'solutions' presented by mS. Massive lobbying has ensured many of these will be fixed in the version following the next one. -- speculative only -- Word 2006??? (Next release): Unsure about this at this stage. Mixed reports about what it will and wont contain. May have some start to the reformatting tools. Should have improved programmatic access to task panes and their backing functionality. Hopefully something done about the revisions interface Word 2009??? (Next release +1): Much improved task-based solutions for complex operations. Massively improved list numbering. Auto maggies, reformatting tools. Master documents that work. I hope I can point to some of my efforts in this version at last. Without prejudice, Steve Hudson, Word Heretic -----Original Message----- From: margp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Can anyone offer any advice on which version of MS Office is best to use or avoid with Windows XP Professional? I am a Frame user who uses Word only under sufferance and still prefers Word 97 over the two later versions I have used (Word 2000 and Word 2002). I use Excel a bit, but I wouldn't call myself a power user. I am used to Outlook, but could be swayed to use another email client if necessary. ( Having learnt to cope with Notes at work, I figure I can master just about anything.) I'm not keen on more having to deal with more wierd stuff in Word than necessary though. Having seen recent threads about various horrible things happening with Word, I am just pondering which version I should buy to go on a new PC, so any advice would be welcome. Thanks Margaret ************************************************** To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject field. To search the austechwriter archives, go to www.freelists.org/archives/austechwriter To contact the list administrator, send a message to austechwriter-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ************************************************** ************************************************** To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject field. To search the austechwriter archives, go to www.freelists.org/archives/austechwriter To contact the list administrator, send a message to austechwriter-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **************************************************