Review by Steve Dietrich

Sorry if the title is a little strong but I have been using word processing and spreadsheet software since the 70s and this is a great leap backwards.

I do not know what caused MS to abandon the simple pull down menus and control and alt functions that let word approach 60% of the efficiency of word perfect.

The new programs are cumbersome, mouse intensive and trash for the serious user . If you need a new computer you are better off with a used computer with the prior generations of this software. It is not just my opinion but that of my grad students.

It is incredible that Microsoft had the arrogance to put this product in the marketplace. A great boon to Apple and if MS removes support for XP as scheduled it is time to BUY Apple stock.

My guess is that market demand will require support for the older versions for many more years.

Hopefully with more European influence MS will fully support universal document formats so that users will have a real choice.

We use both Word 97 and WP in the office. Most of our new people are unable to believe that there is anything other than Word, but after using wP for a while come to prefer that for its easier and more predictable results and far easier to use command structure. Given their choice WP wins for internal documents even though they need to use Word for many external documents.