Hi Janet! All the different versions can be confusing. As one other writer pointed out MS Word is not part of any Windows operating system. Word is either part of the MS Office Suite of programs, included with MS Works or a stand alone program. The MS Works version is usually a version behind the current version. You may have originally got your version of Word as part of the computer manufacturer's setup CD which would have also included the Windows program. They sometimes bundle programs together like that. The version history went from Word 97, to Word 2000 (no 98). Then it moved to Word XP (or 2002) and now the latest is Word 2003. For the average user there is little to be gained from moving to a new version. If you do a lot of intensive production of brochures, illustrated newsletters, write books, etc., then a move to a new version would be of some advantage. There are a number of ways to acquire a newer version. MS Works is probably the cheaper option, though it would not be the latest version. Besides Microsoft Works (spreadsheet), you get Microsoft Word, Microsoft Money Standard, Encarta standard, and more. Task Launcher brings all six products into an easy-to-use interface. It has 500 pre-designed templates for personal, household, school, and community related tasks. With Works Suite you can qualify for discounted upgrade pricing for Microsoft Office 2003. The price of Works with all those is cheaper than buying MS Word as a single program (figure that one out :-)!). That's how I initially acquired MS Word some years ago. You can purchase MS Works Suite 2004 for USD79.99 (Amazon.com). The next option is one that is becoming the more widely accepted way of purchasing the MS Office 2003 Suite. And that is to buy the version known as the "Student and Teacher Edition". This version is "supposedly" for students and/or teachers only as the name suggests. However, it is widely retailed now to anybody - all you have to do is ask. With this edition you get Microsoft Office Word 2003, Excel 2003, Outlook 2003, and PowerPoint 2003. You can install this on up to three of your home PCs. It is a silly situation really, as this edition is retailed for around US129.99 (at Amazon.com) while the NORMAL edition is around USD400 (which includes Access and Publisher also). Then of course you can purchase MS Word 2002 as a single program for USD42.75 (at Amazon.com). Depending on your needs of course, but I would suggest that the Student Teacher version would be the best value. You get the advantage of MS Excel as a spreadsheet program, but you also get the best e-mail and personal information manager program available - Outlook 2003. It alone is worth USD 89.99! You may find prices cheaper (than those I have shown) available from local stores. Even e-Bay is a good option for excellent value. We have bought some very expensive programs through e-Bay and all have been excellent and new. Hope this helps. Lance -----Original Message----- From: Janet Heck [mailto:jeheck@cox.net] Sent: Saturday, 3 July 2004 02:47 To: GEN-COMP-TIPS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [Gen-Comp-Tips] Word 97 vs. Word 98 Thank you for your comments on these two programs. I am still lost! But that is nothing new. I appreciate your help. Janet ==== GEN-COMP-TIPS Mailing List ==== Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites of the Internet: http://www.cyndislist.com ============================== You can manage your RootsWeb-Review subscription from http://newsletters.rootsweb.com/ --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0427-1, 2004-07-02 Tested on: 3/07/2004 9:36:05 AM avast! - copyright (c) 2000-2004 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com