Features

• Word processing combined with professional script formatting
• Designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics, and stage plays
• Automatically paginates and formats script to industry standards
• 100-percent cross-platform compatibility; easily import/export files
• 50+ templates; text to speech, have your script read back to you

Reviews (16)

Great formatter with poor font rendering.
As a screenplay formatter Final Draft 7.0 works as well as its predecessors, but still has a rotten font rendering quality. I would have thought that this would the number one priority to attend to at this stage in Final Draft's development cycle.

That gripe aside - and it's a really significant one - everything else works very smoothly.

Because of this issue, I would recommend Screenwriter 2000, which does everything that Final Draft can do, and doesn't have any issue with its ability to render fonts cleanly. In addition, screenwriter 2000 has a more useful suite of associated products, notably: Dramatica 4 pro and Storyview 2. The tech backup is superior, too.

If you're a new user, DON'T BUY IT!
I've used Final Draft since version 5 through version 6, and although it was antiquated and clunky compared to contemporary word processing software, it was at least useable and relatively stable.

HOWEVER - I recently upgraded to FD7, and it's a mess. It implemented new features in such a way as make them impractical in daily, minute by minute by use, while simultaneously dumping several genuinely useful features from previous versions. It's been through two patches since it was released already, and it's still clunky, bug ridden, crash prone, and less usable in practice than the previous version.

If you are a first time buyer, I'd recommend delaying your purchase for at least six months till they sort out the bugs (assuming that's possible), or consider buying another of the many products available, e.g. Screenwriter or Sophocles.

ADDENDUM:

I'd also recommend you read some of the reviews on this site with a pinch of salt - there are a couple that I would consider suspiciously glowing. There's nothing to stop someone from the manufacturer adding a review, is there...?

Just add words?
I have to work every day with FD 7 (Mac OSX) as the production company I write for asked me to do so. To cut it short: I have never ever seen a programme with so many bugs and crashes! Unfortunately recent updates have not changed anything. :-(

Weird (on a PC anyway)
I have a friend who uses the Mac version and swears by it. I purchased the PC version and it's certainly interesting. It behaves like no other text editor I've ever seen. Simple operations like cut and paste become strange exasperating games to see what text Final Draft will actually decide to let you cut and paste. I guess it's trying to keep script elements contiguous--but there are times when you just...want...to move...the damn...WORDS. Final Draft makes the mistake of assuming too much.

Edit: I hereby redact the rest of my review. I still think the program could use some polish on a PC...but my previous ire was more from ignorance than the program itself. It ain't so bad.

Finished Another First Draft With Final Draft
I have written or re-written over 30 scripts, both hits and flops, both TV and Feature, with Final Draft. Like most people who have made the mistake of buying Movie Magic Screenwriter, I switched when the program didn't work and they made me angry on the phone. I have never had a problem with my fonts, or tech support, or upgrading or updating. Ever. They even make their own font to make the switch from Mac to Win seamless and it is. The other programs are okay, but not as 'finished', maybe because just about every TV show and Film is made with Final Draft. It really is combat tested. I just bought another copy from amazon.com for my office and both companies are great! ... Read more

Features

• Create PDF files with the click of a button from Microsoft applications and AutoCAD
• Create a single Adobe PDF document from multiple sources, including portions of Web pages and previously combined Adobe PDF documents
• Use the included Adobe LiveCycle Designer 7.0 software to create PDF forms that look like the paper forms they replace
• Easily attach source documents such as spreadsheets, multimedia files, images, and drawings to an Adobe PDF document
• Enable anyone with free Adobe Reader 7.0 software to use highlighter, sticky note, pen, and other commenting tools

Features

• Page layout utility
• Output PDF files directly from QuarkXPress without buying third-party software
• Layout spaces with synchronized text
• Improved, interactive tools for Web page design
• Improvements to output features, including As Is Color Space and DeviceN

Reviews (8)

A Design Resume Absolutely Must Have Quark
I learned how to effectively use Quark in the first 2 weeks of my college Prepress class, and anybody in the design world knows that if you can't use it you're a novice. It's itelligent, straight forward and an essential program for any graphic designer to master. All the complaints about this program are the result of non professionals who are either unwilling or unable to learn how to use it properly. "In Design" - what a joke. I love Adobe products, but let's get serious. If you can't use Quark, you might as well start applying for a job designing the Church Newsletter, because you can't get a top level design position without knowing this program. If you are studying to be a designer - trust me... learn it, know it, love it!

QuarkXpress 6.0 is a joke
I am actually writting this review while on the phone with their tech support group in India. I can barely understand the person and the can you believe that you have to call them to reactivate the software every time we go from Daylight Savings Time to Daylight Time. That is twice per year. There is a bug in their authentication/serial number system, which by design includes the DST flag for the local computer in the activation routine.

This is crazy...After paying full price for two copies, why do I have to spend 30 minutes per machine twice per year to reactivate their product to help them control piracy, of which I am not a part of.

Sounds like class action suit time...We should all sue for the time lost just in reactivating their products.

I used to be happy with version 3.x and 4.x.

Stress Is Not Worth It
This is the most poorly designed software yet from Quark. First, installing it can prove to be a terror if you have to ever reinstall it. Quark has set up a monstrous procedure where you must call them or attempt at their website to activate the software, which can force you to wait 2 to 3 days before you can use it. The orginal from the factory is actually their demo. Not just that, but the length of the activation code is 47 numbers and even though you get them right, they won't work on their website application/registration/activation page.

Now, let's assume you get that far. Once into the working Quark you'll find you spent a lot of money for nothing more than what Quark 4.1 offers except for a "clear vision" extension and some minor bells and whistles. They advertise that you can "build web pages" using Quark, clearly deceiving you to believe you can "translate existing Quark documents" to web pages. Forget it. You have to redo or build from scratch. It's also very old technology and is not the kind of page you want to post against the newer W3C rules. You'll play with the deveil in the end.

Best to use the older version if you still have it. If you've never used Quark and are tempted to buy it to try it...go to Adobe's Indesign first or pick up an older copy of Adobe's Pagemaker.

Finally, Quark's support service is AWFUL. They just aren't there for you when you need them, unless you pay them a lot of money for a "service agreement." If you do get hold of someone, they are in a foreign country and barely understandable and worse, they are reading something or blaming you for their product not working correctly. Quark has changed from its original service company to the newer modern insult-the-customer business style.

Thumbs down on this one.

InDesign Is a better choice
I've been using QuarkXpress for 8 years and was a dedicated Xpress user until the release of Quark 6.0 (which I purchased). The pdf feature and the high resolution preview of eps files and OSX compatibility as well as it's familiarity made me give it a try. I've been using Xpress 6 for about a month now and I'm not impressed. Customer support is weak at best and it is almost impossible to register because users have to enter a serial number and a registration number and a one hundred digit activation code (I'm not kidding 100 numbers and letters). Quark claims it's software will activate automatically on-line. It doesn't if you have a firewall. Many of the new features Quark claims to have added are extensions that must be installed separately (high res preview for eps images being one of them). Quark 4.11 users will be upset to learn that 6.0 will only save down to version 5.0 and there isn't a plug-in to fix this oversight as Quark claims. The icing on the cake is that if you change computers or if your system has trouble and you need to re-install QuarkXpress 6 you'll have to call Quark and get a new activation code. Be prepared to wait a week or two. Now if you've wasted enough of your valuable time you've probably been like me and bought a copy of InDesign. Yeah I have to learn a few things to be as fast as I was in Quark ..but it'll be worth it . The best part of InDesign is that I registered Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive and InDesign with one serial number and I was up and running (at half the price of QuarkXpress).

We'll be Watching You!
I love Quark's software. But it does have its quirks. First, most of its latest improvements seem to be in tweaking an aggravating activation system that is frequently corrupted and requires reactivation. So if you're operating off a notebook and can't reactivate, you have to call Quark, wait forever for a new code to be generated, and painstakingly type it in.

Second, Quark has gone through great lengths to make its web design module work better, but I never use Quark for web design, so that only makes the program bigger and klunkier.

Quark 6 does do multiple undos, for which it deserves kudos; however, it's maddening to find out that not all actions are undoable. Write down the ones that aren't or you'll be sorry.

Finally, one computer, one program. Forget about having this baby on your home and work computer or your desktop and notebook.

My advice? If you have Quark 5, keep it and cherish it. If you don't, get Quark 5 off EBay and let some other sucker upgrade. And finally, if you want to come over to the light side of The Force, get Adobe's fabulous InDesign. Not only is it better behaved, it has no activation and you can put it on both of your computers. It's also more stable. For me personally, I'm staying with Quark 5.

Good luck. ... Read more

Product Description

iWork '05 ... Read more

Features

• Integrated iLife media browser and photo masking
• Create, present, and publish work quickly and easily
• Cinema-quality slide presentations; streamlined, yet powerful word processing
• 40+ professionally designed templates with multiple page designs
• Freeform graphics canvas; easy-to-use text styles, charts, and tables

Reviews (16)

Don't Underestimate This Program.
A number of reviewers have commented upon how easy this program is and, I suppose, in one sense it is, especially if you stick to using the templates.However, as one who has had occasion to work with "Adobe Pagemaker," this program can do sophisticated page layout and, as such, there will be a learning curve for the inexperienced.

But, the User Manual is good and there are good books coming out, like one from Visual Start in July, that will help people learn.

It is wrong to think of this program as a word processor "in competition with" Word."MS Word" is a robust word processor; "Pages," as its name implies, is a page layout program.Having also worked with "MS Publisher," the real point of comparison and not "MS Word," "Pages" far exceeds "Publisher" in capabilities and yet for relatively simple layouts is as easy as "Publisher" to use.

I have not as yet put any real strain on the program, but at first blush, on my Powerbook G4 1.5, speed of operations is just fine.Yes, as a few reviewers have pointed out, some of the palettes could be more elegantly combined.One tends to get a clutter of open palettes.But, these are refinements that will be made in future editions, I am sure.

Bottom line: If you want to layout pages with a lot of the sophistication possible in the more expensive "Quark" and "PageMaker" programs; if you want to be able to export your documents to universal portable PDF file format and print out beautiful documents; if you want to pay, basically, only about $40 for these benefits ["Keynotes," the other half of iwork represents another $40], then buy "Pages."

And, if you are a novice with respect to not only page layout programs but also to very robust word programs like "Word," don't expect that everything will be simple.You will have to learn, but you will be rewarded relatively quickly.

I almost didn't buy it....
I thought, "I have MS Office for the Mac, why do I need iWork?" Was I wrong!

Okay fine I suppose I don't really NEED it. But it is a great program, and worth the price. The ability to export my work as a .pdf file is worth the price by itself. The Pages interface is much better, cleaner than Word. And the templates are suprisingly useful. I created a web page by costomizing a template and exporting it as HTML. I twas easy and quick and the result looked great. Most of the people I work with are PC users and because they were unfamiliar with pages the web Page looked fresh, not like a modified copy of someone elses work.

I use my Mac for research mostly and the ability to save documents as .pdf files is very valuable as they are searchable. With Tigers ability to search the text within a .pdf I can now save my work as a .pdf and later find everytime a particular work appears in the fines I've created. This has made cross-refrecing very easy and fast. I now use a program called Pyramid to create a "mind map" of my work and create links from the "map" to refrences in the .pdfs.

I don't use Keynote as much. I t more visially appealing than Powerpoint and pretty easy to use. The ability to use Quicktime movies in the presentation is helpful and the ability to export as a Powerpoint file is nice.

Great program if Microsoft can develop an imitation
Keynote and Pages, the two applications included in iWork, were flawless under the Panther operating system. The Keynote app has always suffered from its inability to share with PC users. Oh yeah, I know I can convert a Keynote file to Powerpoint, .swf, QuickTime, or PDF, but the problem is that, especially when converting to PowerPoint, Keynote loses all its buttery-rich goodness. It's a PowerPoint problem, I realize, but without a Keynote viewer, there's no way around it. Thus, Mac folks must rely on Microsoft for slide presentations if they don't want to lug around their Mac laptop.

Also, installing Tiger will mess up the purchased Keynote templates you have saved. Even reinstalling them won't help.

My humble advice is to wait a couple of years until Apple fixes the bugs in Tiger, then MAYBE think about using a Mac. Until then, I'm switching back from a Mac to a PC.

Big time winner!
iWork comes with two programs, Pages (a word processor) and Keynote (Apple's version of PowerPoint).Both of these programs are very simple to use and very effective.Without a doubt, there are better programs available, but their cost several hundred dollars more and for the average user don't provided more bank for the buck.

When I first turned on Pages I thought "How cheesey!"But as I got to using it I found my first impression was totally wrong.It's simple appearance is very deceptive.This is a word processing program that can do everything that is needed for ordinary personal documents and beyond.You have to be willing to explore the program to discover its gems, but once you learn were things are you will find it a very fast and easy to use.The real value of the program is its desk top publishing.The 40 some templates let you create profession grade newsletters, journals, resumes, invitations, marketing brochures, and many other kinds of documents.This is worth the price of the software alone.It seamlessly works with your iPhoto, iTunes and iMovies.This is one powerful piece of software.With it you can produce commercial grade color brochures or newsletters at an entry level price.

Keynote makes wonderful multimedia presentations, and like Pages is seamlessly integrated with iPhoto, iTunes and iMovies.If you are using graphics or want to import photos into your presentation, Keynote is significantly easier, quicker, and simpler to use that PowerPoint.You can't miss with this program.You can even save you presentation as a PowerPoint, Quicktime, or PDF file or post it on the internet for all to see with the easy of a single click.

I have used both Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and keep them on my hard drive but rarely use them.As my skill with Pages and Keynote has grown I have found them to be more than sufficient in producing quality documents from personal letters, teaching handouts, to professional grade overhead presentations.
For the cost, iWorks cannot be beat!And you will not be disappointed.

iWork `05 System Requirements
- Macintosh computer with a 500 mhz or faster Power PC G3, G4 or G5 (G4 for PowerBook); G4 or G5 recommended
- 128 MB of physical RAM (512MB recommended)
- 8 MB of video memory (32MB recommended)
- Mac OS X v10.3.6 or later
- QuickTime 6.5 or later

Pages is a disappointment
I had high hopes for Pages, Apple's new Word Processing Application, but these hopes were shattered once I tried to design a newsletter with it.

I find the interface unintuitive, unlike most Apple software, and the templates are not easily customizable. What's more, the application continues to mysteriously "erase" work that I have done, even after I have saved it.

Apple, I know you can do better than this... ... Read more

Features

• Word processing with innovative new tools
• Improved reference tools; dynamic reviewing capabilities
• Keep text, pictures, logos, and other important info right at hand
• Soft drop shadows; decline auto corrections, numbering, and bulleting
• Search and flag relevant info; record audio into documents

Features

• Feature-rich, compatible office productivity suite at a competitive price
• Powerful word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications
• Compatible with Microsoft Office, PDF, HTML, XML, and more
• Intuitive Publish to PDF feature; no need for additional PDF software
• Maximizes efficiency; versatile and easy to use

Reviews (5)

Great Alternative to MS
First off I don't own a business or anything I am just a poor student that needed an office program for school. After using Word and MS Office I needed to upgrade (this gets expensive year after year). So I decided to try Corel Office. It does pretty much everything Word, Excel, ect... does. And you can publish to PDF which is a bonus. Its a great alternative to MS and is a good value for the money.

Not so suite when you think about it
WordPerfect is a nice word processor. But there's nothing really the matter with MS Word either. They're only word processors after all, and both do what any word processor should do. So the question is, how does the rest of Corel's suite compare to Microsoft's offering? The answer is the same as its been for years: not too well. Excel, Access and Power Point are just plain better than Corel's Presentations, Paradox, etc. Do any businesses actually use Paradox or Presentations? I have not encountered any that do. The compatibility with MS has improved a little, but this begs the question why not buy MS Office in the first place? Then compatibility is no longer an issue, and you get applications that 90% of the business world is using anyway. So the key for me (I chose MS Office over WordPerfect) was not the word processor (WP and MS Word are both good) , but the other applications--the spreadsheets, presentation software, etc. Corel just isn't in the same league as MS when it comes to these.

WordPerfect 12: A New Hope?
Having now had WordPerfect 12 installed for some time, I can say that Corel has done well in their target area of improving compatibility with MS Office. There really isn't much else new about this version, but improving WP's ability to co-exist with MS Office may be what is needed to keep this once-great suite going.
Why consider WP12 if you're looking for an alternative to MS Office? Put simply, StarOffice/OpenOffice just isn't ready yet. Every part of the WordPerfect suite is more polished, more powerful and more flexible than the equivalent component in SO/OOo. Of course WP12 has Reveal Codes, which neither SO/OOo nor MS Office has, but even in features that they have in common, like Publish-to-PDF, WP's version is more professional than the SO/OOo equivalent.
QuattroPro sometimes gets a bad rap, but it is a very powerful spreadsheet, with its own Pivot Tables (the equivalent of Excel's CrossTabs), and it offers 1 million rows and 18,000 columns, far more than ANY of its competitors.
Paradox is the sort of database app that makes its MS Office "equivalent" look like a child's toy, if you are prepared for the steeper learning curve.
Of course the heart of the suite is the incomparable WordPerfect itself, and version 12 is not an embarrassment to its predecessors. Even though the only major improvements have been to compatibility with MS Office (significantly better in WP, QP and Presentations), there have been some other useful bug fixes and refinements.

The really exciting thing about this release is the evidence that Corel (now owned by Vector, and in a much healthier financial situation than it has been for years) has renewed its commitment to the suite, and is being realistic about what is needed to protect WP's niche in the market. Planning for version 13 is apparently already under way, as is a trial of a version for Linux, so WordPerfect is definitely here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Having used both OpenOffice and StarOffice for over a year now, I can honestly say that, if you are looking for an enterprise-quality, professional business suite alternative to MS Office, WP12 is a much better choice. The quality difference is especially noticeable in the respective spreadsheet applications, with QuattroPro being several orders of magnitude more powerful and useful than Calc.
In summary, if, for any reason, you want an alternative to MS Office, WP12 is it. Sure, it's not free, but the competitive pricing structure for upgrades make it a very economical choice, and the quality of the product is such that the cost is money VERY well spent. WORDPERFECT LIVES!

WordPerfect Office 12
I'm a die-hard WordPerfect user, so consider the source!

That said, one important note not present in Amazon's info: WPO 12 also works in Windows 98 SE ... try that with MSO later versions!

Several fixes have been observed (compared to WPO 11), including (and important to me) that using Wp's Publish to PDF again saves multiple colored text on the same line correctly again (it worked OK in Wp10).

Great product, particularly for those wanting improved round-tripping with MS Word files, opening or saving as.

Too little, too late for a once great product
Earlier versions of WordPerfect have suffered from file incompatibility with MS Office applications. WordPerfect Office 12 *finally* has great file compatibility features. In fact, just click an icon on a toolbar and you can save to the MS Office application of your choice.

PROS
* Solid file compatibility with MS Office---finally!

* Paradox is an easy tool for learning about relational databases; it is far easier to use than Access, though not as powerful

* WordPerfect drawing tools are superior to MS Word drawing tools

* WordPerfect is still better for laying out complex documents, including outlines and multiple columns

* The 'reveal codes' feature alone is nearly invaluable--why didn't MS copy that somewhere along the way?

* It costs less

* Can create PDFs (without buying Acrobat) from the WP print menus

CONS
* Corel, WordPerfect's maker, is in financial trouble--will bug fixes and upgrades be available?

* Excel is more powerful (ie., Pivot tables) and has a better interface than Quattro Pro

* PowerPoint is head-and-shoulders easier to use than Presentations

THE SKINNY
Hey, WordPerfect, what took you so long to get the file compatibility!? Your market share is almost zip. Methinks it is too little, too late to resurrect this once great product. I was one of the last WordPerfect loyalists, and I switched to MS Office for good 4 years ago!

* If you are a WordPerfect loyalist, the file compatibility features alone make this a required purchase

* If you don't want to spend the money for MS Office, this is a good alternative

* BUT, OpenOffice.org is a *free* alternative to MS Office with good file compatibility. The interface isn't as nice as WordPerfect's--but *free* goes a long way ... Read more

Features

• Word processing combined with professional script formatting
• Designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics, and stage plays
• Automatically paginates and formats script to industry standards
• 50+ templates; text to speech, have your script read back to you
• Syd Field's Screenwriting Workshop DVD for all skill levels included

Reviews (1)

What They Write With & How To Do IT!!
Okay, so I found out that Final Draft is the Industry Standard in Tinsel Town. Great. I'll buy one. Check out who uses it on their website. Wow! But the software alone doesn't tell us, say, what goes where and why in a screenplay. It just lays there, blank, with blinking cursor... waiting for some brilliance to be entered by me. Enter Syd Field. I have his books on screenwriting and, although the DVD is a little 'talking head'-like, it did make me understand more about the craft of screenwriting, like plot, story structure, action points and character arcs - the things that make up a really great movie. Take notes while watching the DVD! It made me better and less insecure about taking the movie idea out of my head and Final Draft is a cool tool that formats for you and types things you type alot for you. An excellent combination!! Highly recommend. ... Read more

Features

• Powerful layout software with an intuitive, versatile interface
• Combine writing, editing, and typography with color and pictures
• Output PDF files directly from QuarkXPress without buying 3rd-party software
• Improved, interactive tools for Web page design; layout spaces with synchronized text
• Improvements to output features, including As Is Color Space and DeviceN

Reviews (4)

Whoops! QuarkXPress Did It Again
Paranoia is the key word here. QuarkXPress' software writers are so intent on focusing on security that they have ignored functionality. QuarkXPress clashes and crashes with some of our other software programs. Worse yet, I have had two instances when the software has refused to open after we have finished huge student publications. Can you imagine the frustration that resulted from having to re-do entire publications on deadline from scratch? The QuarkXPress service representatives were of no help. They seem not to understand their own product. We still use the software because the publication industry does, but we are now looking at some emerging alternatives. Some of my fellow teachers have had it with the software and want to get rid of it. The unexplainable crashes in publications and student productions are routine. I keep hoping Quark's software writers will wake up, but they don't seem to get it. Too bad. QuarkXPress used to be the industry standard.

Stick with a previous version until Quark releases 6.1
After working with Quark 6.0 every day for the last few months at an educational publishing company, I would definitely recommend that corporate users wait for the promised 6.1 upgrade which Quark has promised to release in the coming weeks. The 6.0 release seems like it was rushed out to the masses way too soon...there are far too many bugs...bugs that are not only minor nuisances, but that are cable of potentially causing some major problems that can take some time to fix. Quark themselves have admitted that they are aware of problems saving Quark 6 files. Sometimes instead of saving them, they actually get deleted. PDF exports are built in, but with some larger files, it just plain doesn't work. It crashes during the process. There have also been problems when collecting files. Sometimes not all fonts and images get collected. We have to switch to Quark 5 just to get everything collected properly.

Quark has promised to fix these bugs in 6.1, but until then, I would strongly caution against upgrading.

Great Program!
Those complaining about using layered photoshop files try this...Save the file as a tiff and include layers. This file will import into Quark 6. I also just tested Quark 5 and it works too! So quit whining and learn the program. Also Those who use Macs...If you owned a company would you waste your time and money on a small group of people or would you try to capture the market which includes the most people? You aren't that important to Quark. It's not their fault you still use the obsolete Mac system. I hear so many of you going on and on about not being able to use transparency in Quark... Well did you ever think for a minute that the transparency in InDesign doesn't work properly half the time anyways? What good is a feature if it only creates problems in the end when it comes time to print the job? The transparency in Adobe's products have caused more printing problems than any other feature in the last 10 years. I can't tell you how many times an InDesign moron has sent me a file with transparency that I have to re-work/flatten or the type prints all different weights, etc. One more thing, you can blame the font issues on Apple as they are the ones forcing everyone to upgrade to their lame OSX and the font issue is their fault.

A very disappointing Upgrade 5 -> 6 with no WOW features
I have been using Quark Express for over ten years and was very disappointed with this much awaited upgrade in general. It does run under OS 10.2 but I found it very font-unstable, crashing my G4 (grey screen in OSX) several times trying to open older saved Quark 4.1 documents and also tying to output .pdf files using the built in Jaws technology.

In general it feels very much like a basic OS9 -> X conversion and not much more. The layers function lack folders or nested folders and you will have to buy extensions like ALAP shadowcaster to import photoshop layered files and create drop shadows or transparent objects. The document size is still limited to 1200mm, the dictionary is poor, the keyboard shortcuts don't allow toolbox changes and their is no colour separations preview function.

In Design CS has gone well past Quark 6 and I will be cross grading to that program, try to get away from Quark, and trying to secure a stable future in the design software area. ... Read more

Features

• Write like a professional with Word 2002
• Get up and go with Streets & Trips 2005
• Edit and organize your photos with Picture It! Premium 10
• Explore the world with Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2005
• Get those finances in order with Money Standard 2005

Features

• Powerful word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications
• Compatible with Microsoft Office, PDF, HTML, XML, and more
• Intuitive Publish to PDF feature; no need for additional PDF software
• Maximizes efficiency; versatile and easy to use

Reviews (2)

No compelling reason to upgrade
Nothing substantially new here expect for the picture on the box. In other words, there's no real reason to sink money into this product, except to help prop up a company that seems to have lost its ability to innovate.

The same old claims (compatibilty with MS, ease of use, etc. are being made, but big deal. Corel has made these claims before.) I can see no real difference between this version and the 2002 suite. I'll pass on the Corel upgrades until they make them worth my time and money.

WordPerfect Office 12
Installed easily. It appears to be very compatible with Microsoft Word but it's reveal codes feature is still invaluable, and unlike Word all its features work. The new templates browser is very valuable. QuattroPro is also excellent. I never use Presentations nor Power Point so I cannot comment on these items. I hope WordPerfect stays around for a while to give some competition to the clunky, hard-to-use but ubiquitous Microsoft Word and Excel. ... Read more

Product Description

Adobe InDesign CS2 Upgrade .Design professional page layouts using unparalleled support for native Adobe file formats, sophisticated typographical controls, and rich creative options, including transparency effects, flexible table creation, object and text styles, and more. Achieve greater efficiency through tight integration with the Adobe applications you use every day, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, GoLive, and InCopy software. Preview and adjust separations, overprinting, and transparency flattener settings. Then reliably output pages to print or as Adobe PDF files using professional controls, including comprehensive printing options, trapping support, color management controls, and print and Adobe PDF export presets.Browse, organize, label, and preview graphics and InDesign documents, templates, and snippets in Adobe Bridge. Drag and drop assets from Adobe Bridge into layouts easily and efficiently. Search for files using metadata, such as keywords, colors, and image resolution. Apply and globally upd object-level formatting more efficiently using object styles. Save a wide range of graphic, text, and frame-level attributes as object styles to create more consistent designs and speed up production tasks.Adobe Photoshop and Adobe PDF layer support. Selectively display layers and layer comps in Photoshop files, and layers in Adobe PDF files, to experiment with different design options or use multiple variations of a file in your layout, all while linking to a single file. ... Read more

Features

• Capture and use notes on laptop or desktop computers or Tablet PCs
• Versatility of paper notes; efficiency of digital organizational tools
• Capture info in multiple ways; store in one place; easy to use
• Be more productive anywhere you work with notes
• Great for in meetings, classes, phone conferences, and more

Features

• 8 leading home PC tools in 1 complete package
• Quattro Pro 12 Home Edition versatile spreadsheets; word processing
• 50+ templates with WordPerfect OfficeReady - Personal Finance Essentials
• Compose and mix music CDs; Corel Photobook and Corel PhotoAlbum
• Encyclopedia Britannica Ready Reference 2005; Norton Internet Security 2005 suite

Features

• Communicate quickly and effectively with others--internally and across organizations
• Bring information into your documents for more timely access to the information you need
• Quickly find the information you need to complete your work
• Create impressive-looking documents that help you work better together
• Read documents more easily online with the new Reading Layout view

Reviews (4)

The famously broken bits are still broken.
Pointing out Word's faults is like pointing out the pyramids are crumbling--it may be true, but they're still going to be there. Still, Word's Master Document "feature" is still the surest way to document corruption. And you'd better track down the internet page that gives detailed instructions on the convoluted way you need to set up heading numbering if you want to keep your Word documents from corrupting.

And so on. I doubt anyone cares. Word is a fact of life, no matter if it's constantly falling to bits. The new version's XML support does give you a new path to recovering a corrupted document: saving to XML and then converting that file back to Word format has saved me some time on a couple of occasions.

We use Word because we have to. On those occasions when I don't have to, I use WordPerfect, because I like to actually produce things, not spend my time dealing with software problems.

Justified Upgrade for some, but not all
Word 2003 is more powerful than ever. Unfortunately, most of the new features are aimed primarily towards large business. As a result, many end-users simply won't need them (or be able to use them). The users who will benefit most from upgrading are corporate users or users purchasing bundles with new PCs.

Pros:

Instant Messaging support is now integrated with Office applications. However, only MSN messenger is used. Users who predominantly use Yahoo, trillian, jabber, or ICQ will not find any utility in this feature, without signing up for a messenger account.

The user interface has changed for the better, and matches the Windows XP interface better. Personally, I like it. Also, fonts are rendered better, and consequently documents will look better on laptops (no more jagged edges).

The Reading Layout feature splits the text into a two column format for easier reading (think newspaper).

If you have Microsoft Server and SharePoint services installed on your network, you can share and track changes to word documents. Nice feature, but requires a significant investment on server software.

When typing an hypertext link, word no longer reformats the font of the URL.

Cons:

Product activation, which requires network access.

All of the Office applications now have a blended help system that first checks help files online first, before getting local help files.

XML is useless for end users. Programmers who use Word to write XML will find that Word no longer tries to autocorrect much of the XML, but you will still have the annoying red underline on many of your XML tags because the spellchecker flags them as misspelled.

Still, I think it makes a worthy upgrade for 97/2000 users, but XP users will find the expense difficult to justify. More specifically, if you are an end user without a lot of Microsoft back end software installed on your network (Windows 2000/2003 Server, SharePoint services, etc.) I would think very carefully before upgrading.

Keeps On Getting better
Word 2003 includes development tools that add dynamic features to documents making them powerful than ever. The power beneath all this is XML, allowing the user to embed components for updating data in documents such as stock quotes. Word 2003 offers simple, familiar yet improved features regular users are accustomed to. Majority of the features in Word 2003 are aimed primarily toward businesses and the Enterprise. But are still necessary for the average user because of the control over information across all the Office applications. Tools such as Information Rights Management (IRM), (this controls the flow of information to specific users), persons can be restricted on how they use your Office files; whether it's printing or sharing, very powerful! Reading view is an enhanced mode of print preview; documents are laid out in virtual pages reducing the need to print. The Task Pane is also improved by offering resources to look up information on a particular topic being typed; this is a feature across the core Office applications. Lots of other great features make Word 2003 a worthy upgrade.

Just keeps getting better!
I was lucky enough to get Office 2003 before the official release date. Microsoft has done a nice job on the interface. Everything looks cleaner, and it will pop up useful sidebars on the righthand side (such as the clipbook for pasting items you have copied, help items, etc).

Another thing about the interface is that it meshes nicely with Windows XP themes. It will take a soft blue color when paired with Windows XP's default theme. All of the bars will be blue. This is nice on the eyes. The same goes with silver - everthing will match.

As for upgrading to 2003 from older versions... this is a tough call. If you have Word XP, I would be hard pressed to tell you to upgrade. Even Word 2000 does a fine job. I don't know if there are enough new bells and whistles in this to warrant upgrading. If you like to have the newest of everything however, this is the best word processor out there for PCs.

For those of you on a tight budget, thers is hope. As good as Microsoft Office products are, there is a FREE alternative. You may want to give OpenOffice 1.1 a download. It is completely free and open source, and most importantly, compatible with Microsoft documents (word, excel, etc). ... Read more

Product Description

A new standard in professional layout design!It delivers faster production workflows and a more fluid creative environment for designing professional layouts with sophisticated graphics and typography. ... Read more

Features

• Essential productivity tools for the home PC
• Word processor; spreadsheet; database; email/Internet tools
• New dictionary tool with thesaurus; enhanced calendar
• Share and edit documents with Microsoft Word and Excel users
• View PowerPoint presentations; auto-save and document recovery

Product Description

Adobe InDesign CS2.Design professional page layouts using unparalleled support for native Adobe file formats, sophisticated typographical controls, and rich creative options, including transparency effects, flexible table creation, object and text styles, and more. Achieve greater efficiency through tight integration with the Adobe applications you use every day, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, GoLive, and InCopy software. Preview and adjust separations, overprinting, and transparency flattener settings. Then reliably output pages to print or as Adobe PDF files using professional controls, including comprehensive printing options, trapping support, color management controls, and print and Adobe PDF export presets.Browse, organize, label, and preview graphics and InDesign documents, templates, and snippets in Adobe Bridge. Drag and drop assets from Adobe Bridge into layouts easily and efficiently. Search for files using metadata, such as keywords, colors, and image resolution. Apply and globally upd object-level formatting more efficiently using object styles. Save a wide range of graphic, text, and frame-level attributes as object styles to create more consistent designs and speed up production tasks.Adobe Photoshop and Adobe PDF layer support. Selectively display layers and layer comps in Photoshop files, and layers in Adobe PDF files, to experiment with different design options or use multiple variations of a file in your layout, all while linking to a single file. ... Read more

Product Description

Adobe InDesign CS2 Upgrade for Mac .Design professional page layouts using unparalleled support for native Adobe file formats, sophisticated typographical controls, and rich creative options, including transparency effects, flexible table creation, object and text styles, and more. Achieve greater efficiency through tight integration with the Adobe applications you use every day, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, GoLive, and InCopy software. Preview and adjust separations, overprinting, and transparency flattener settings. Then reliably output pages to print or as Adobe PDF files using professional controls, including comprehensive printing options, trapping support, color management controls, and print and Adobe PDF export presets.Browse, organize, label, and preview graphics and InDesign documents, templates, and snippets in Adobe Bridge. Drag and drop assets from Adobe Bridge into layouts easily and efficiently. Search for files using metadata, such as keywords, colors, and image resolution. Apply and globally upd object-level formatting more efficiently using object styles. Save a wide range of graphic, text, and frame-level attributes as object styles to create more consistent designs and speed up production tasks.Adobe Photoshop and Adobe PDF layer support. Selectively display layers and layer comps in Photoshop files, and layers in Adobe PDF files, to experiment with different design options or use multiple variations of a file in your layout, all while linking to a single file. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Justified Upgrade for some, but not all
Word 2003 is more powerful than ever. Unfortunately, most of the new features are aimed primarily towards large business. As a result, many end-users simply won't need them (or be able to use them). The users who will benefit most from upgrading are corporate users or users purchasing bundles with new PCs.

Pros:

Instant Messaging support is now integrated with Office applications. However, only MSN messenger is used. Users who predominantly use Yahoo, trillian, jabber, or ICQ will not find any utility in this feature, without signing up for a messenger account.

The user interface has changed for the better, and matches the Windows XP interface better. Personally, I like it. Also, fonts are rendered better, and consequently documents will look better on laptops (no more jagged edges).

The Reading Layout feature splits the text into a two column format for easier reading (think newspaper).

If you have Microsoft Server and SharePoint services installed on your network, you can share and track changes to word documents. Nice feature, but requires a significant investment on server software.

When typing an hypertext link, word no longer reformats the font of the URL.

Cons:

Product activation, which requires network access.

All of the Office applications now have a blended help system that first checks help files online first, before getting local help files.

XML is useless for end users. Programmers who use Word to write XML will find that Word no longer tries to autocorrect much of the XML, but you will still have the annoying red underline on many of your XML tags because the spellchecker flags them as misspelled.

Still, I think it makes a worthy upgrade for 97/2000 users, but XP users will find the expense difficult to justify. More specifically, if you are an end user without a lot of Microsoft back end software installed on your network (Windows 2000/2003 Server, SharePoint services, etc.) I would think very carefully before upgrading.

It Only Gets Better
I've bought all versions of Microsoft Word and by far this version is the best. For starters, the taskbar has links that help you out in situations that would take longer for lack of knowledge. The visuals are amazing, nice, nice! You get the same smart tags unfortunately. But you can adjust any inconveniences if you read Microsoft's book. There is a book out that explains step by step how to use Microsoft Word 2003. The name of the book is Step by Step Microsoft Office Word 2003. It's a beginner-Intermediate book. It helps to become familiar with your software before you critique it.

The new installation is by far much better than the upgrade. I bought the upgrade and once you put the CD-ROM on the drive it gives you the option of installing it as a new installation or as an upgrade. I recommend the new. When I want to change the office assistant I no longer have to put the CD again on the drive. Everything is on the computer.

This won't slow down your computer. I noticed my computer runs just as fast once I installed this program.

I wasn't too thrilled with the older versions but this one was a great investment. Very expensive but well worth it. Microsoft continues to rise to the top and these office programs are just the beginning. I am very excited for next years new Windows program that is scheduled to come. Security is enhanced in this version. Documents can be made private. There are other security enhancements but I can't really go over each one since that would make this review endless. There are a few added elements on saving. If you get a power outage or your computer shuts off for some unseen incident you don't lose your work. There is a way of having all documents backed up as you type. That is definitely a vast improvement.

I haven't read the entire book that explains this software but from my personal experience writing letters and using it this version is much better than the 2002 or 2000. A good note is that I didnt' have to do Office Updates once I installed it. I also didn't have to register my software since the upgrade new installation did all the work for me. There is 1 little change from the 2000 but similiar to the 2002. You have to enter a product key to activate it. If you don't plan on using the Internet with this program then stick to the 2000. The 2002 and 2003 versions requrie product activation.

There is a link on the tasks pane that provides technical assistance and takes you to the Microsoft help pages that I found very helpful unlike previous versions.

Don't hesitate or feel undecided buy this product if you are concerned for security online as you type letters, if you like fancy looking visuals, and if you want to be on top of the game! Why settle for less, get the best! Microsoft is sure to always come up with good things. Yes, they stumble a few times down the line but they pick up and gain momentum. I recommend this product for sure. ... Read more