I think, that Microsoft office is not a good tool. I use Open Office and this is much better. The only program worth using in MO is Excel. It is quite good and made with a good idea. But Word is a terrible thing! I hate using it!. Making tables in Microsoft Word.... Oh my God! So I hope that next MS Office will be better and competetive to the other programs. Great Bill should see, that Microsoft will die if it made bad programs. Promotion is not everything. And... maybe a good graphical program in MS Office 2007?? Not a bed idea.
I agree Office is ridiculous it costs a stupid amount and most computers no longer come with it bundled. Apart from the cost however it also isn't integrated that well.
Openoffice is a fantastic project, its totally free to download or can be brought for a very small amount on a CD. Its got some great features imcluding the ability to turn pages into pdf. files, fantastic! It also is very well integrated.
i've had some friends demo the test version, said there are some pretty sweet features! i haven't checked it out yet... but for my needs, office has always been fine
im still using office 2003 , but Open Office is a good option, i haven't tryed MS office 2007 yet but i have heard alot of comments about the beta, (nothing good)