Capitalism.

Office 2003 isn't the version I'm most familiar with although I've used it a lot at work in the past.  Although I don't really have much use of PowerPoint.

Bypassed 2007.

I've recently switched to Office 2010 after deciding 2000 was a bit long in the tooth. I like the new formatting features and a few other pretty graphical nice to haves but I just find using that ribbon thing irritating.  At home I probably use Excel more than anything else and those menus have really been buggered around with in a way that is logically at odds with how they were allocated within the old menu system. 

It's a shame they don't have a 'classic Office menu' option.  Even after a month I'm struggling finding features that I could find in an instant on 2003 and previous versions.

Nikki 2006 or Nikki 2010?

I bet neither have read my book.  I knew I should have done it as a blog.

I use Powerpoint a lot and the flipping thing nearly went out the window until I downloaded Office 2003. Then life was good again.
From what I can gather, Office 2007 is not popular. 
2000 is a waste of time.. I suppose I am just biased.

2000 is a waste of time

I must disagree.  2000 was pretty good at the time and its functionality on most office programs is not far from 2003.  2010 removed some of the more annoying aspects 2007 (so I'm told) but didn't get rid of that damn ribbon thing!  2007 sold very well at the time because it's more intuitive for beginners - according to Microsoft.  It's a pain in the bum for experienced users accustomed to the menus, though.

Maybe that is what my problem was then...
I think you are right - a Classics option would be the best way to go.

I've used Office 2003 for years, and mostly use Word.  I've got a trial version of 2007 on my netbook which I don't like at all, I've been offered an upgrade to Word 2010 for £8.95 through work, but I'm very undecided about whether to have it.  Can anyone who has used the 2010 version tell me if the Word features are very different?  And are there enough improvements to make it worth upgrading?

The 2010 version has a File tab - which is something of a relief!

I could cope with the Ribbons and stuff in 2007, but I really missed the File menu. Now there is a File tab and life is good again.

Growlybear,

It's not that different and a nice to have is the updated Word Art that is much improved and a few other graphical nice to haves like prettier looking charts, which in my view were long overdue a revamp. 

As tends to be an annoyance across the Office software using the ribbon thing, a lot of space on the ribbon is wasted by pre-set formatting options that you probably won't use or end up modifying to your taste anyway.  Navigation, reviewing and editing are easier with a Navigation view option.  You can choose to hide the ribbon when not in use if you wish. 

If you're familiar with a lot of the CTRL+ or ALT+ short cuts that were tied to the menu system in previous versions you will be frustrated that a lot of them no longer work..

When it comes down to it, it's just Word and there's not a lot they can do to it now that can improve it.

For just £8.95 I'd say try it out, especially if you're able to keep Office 2003 on your system.

They are still there - just not so obvious.

Hold down the Alt key for a few seconds - a little square with a letter in it appears on each tab at the top of the Word document - this is the Alt shortcut as before.

So, for instance, if you want to to go the Page Layout tab, press Alt+P.

Now each command will have a letter or number in a little square next to it. So, if I wanted to insert a page break, I would press Alt+B.

Thanks for that Rexi.  Not quite as quick as before but still nice to know that functionality's not been lost.

I didn't even know Office 2010 was out yet.  I guess I should find somewhere to download it.

2007 once I finally got the hang of it after being taught how to use it at College, it's very helpful and more easier to use IMO.. 2003 was good though and used that when I was doing GCSE Edexcel IT at school plus having it at home.

could someone tell me what a ribbon is?

F*CK IT ALL.







WINDOWS 98 TIL I DIE. MEMBA I TOLD YA

It's the top complicated bit in Office 2007 programs.

I personally still need to get used to it despite the fact I've used it for about two years it's alright, I mean it's not exactly amazing but there's always the Help button

Thanks Charli 

You're welcome

I could get Office 2010 for free courtesy of uni... but I can't be arsed