At the risk of sounding a little "elitist," I've developed a strong aversion to anything with "Works" or "Home" in its name - especially from Microsoft. Compared to what's available in the "Professional" editions, you end up with toys instead of tools.

Even with the "Professional" versions, Microsoft has proliferated the number of combinations available to the point where it is very difficult to tell what you're getting; and especially when you're buying a new "equipped" machine, you have to be very careful.

I've had a number of requests from friends who saved a few bucks and then wanted help with "doing something in Excel" or "how do I do this in Word" - without realizing that they didn't have Excel or Word in their package.

Some recent reviews claim that the new Office 2004 Home Edition does actually have a "full version of Word" in it. (I'll reserve judgment on that until I've seen it.) It still, apparently, has a "tinker-toy" spreadsheet.

I'm sure it's an effort by Microsoft to make something available, more economically, to people who have very simple needs - and doesn't have anything to do with knowing they can sell it to you twice if you buy a crippled product to begin with and have to upgrade later ...(?)

In fairness, I do know a few people who really don't need anything better than what's in Works or Home Office; but I don't talk much "computering" (or writing, editing, publishing, or basic communication) with them.

John