Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Standard (Upgrade) [Old Version]

a) Installation is well thought-out. The installer looks for prior identities and moves them to O-2004. Address books, old mail, calanders, preferences are all set up with the first boot.

b) Tool windows are now translucent, which adds real appeal to the user interface.

c) Repetative items, such as making labels, envelopes, and proofing tools are much more intuitive.

d) MS did their homework on the notebook feature. OK, they borrowed the idea from NoteTaker, but what NT does well, MSO-2004 does one better. I wish I had this when I was in Medical School. Drag and drop links, pictures movies, outline notes, insert references. I could go on.

e) I have not tried EndNote or ChemDraw with it. These are make it or break it applications for me. I suspcet they will work ok because the tools section works the same way.

f) I confess that I liked the last version of MSO for Windows, which I run on the solitary Windows machine at home. MSO-2004 is so much fun, so intuitive and so clean that I now have no reason whatsoever to run Windows.

Every time I break down in a moment of weakness and consider succumbing to pressure to abandon my beloved Mac, something comes along to bring me to my senses, and remain loyal to these wonderful machines, really appreciating how wonderful the Mac really is. MSO-2004 is such an application; I am sure I will win a few converts when their quizzical looks turn to avarice.