Works Suite 2003 CD (Word, Money, AutoRoute, Encarta, Picture It, Works)

The Works 7.0 core is very task-based. For example, if you choose to "Manage a club" you'll end up using the spreadsheet to track finances, the database for membership records, Word to design the newsletter, and Picture It to handle your club photos. By organising its interface around things to do rather than old-style menus of programs, Works encourages novices to explore its wide range of features; once you know what you're doing, you can use the programs menu to jump straight to the applications themselves.

The extras (even the year-old AutoRoute) are really worth having. Word is the most widely used word processor in the world and it never hurts to have a copy on your home PC, while Picture It Photo has a decent selection of mainstream photo projects (calendars, address cards, flyers, kids ID cards and so on) to go with its easy-to-use editing features for removing red eye, adding picture frames and text to photos, cropping and framing photos or preparing them for use on the Web.

Elsewhere, Money 2003 remains the friendliest of home finance programs, with good investment tracking and an excellent, customisable front summary page. AutoRoute 2002 still sets the pace for getting from A to B in Europe. The standard version of Encarta 2003 is a good study aid for juniors upwards; it's updatable via the Web and it incorporates more than 30,000 articles and images along with videos, animations and audio.

Microsoft Works Suite 2003 is simple enough to allow beginners to accomplish a wide range of home computing tasks. Thanks to the inclusion of Word, it will also appeal to the workaholic who just won't let go. --Rob Beattie

Microsoft Word 2002 It's quick and easy to create stylish, professional-looking documents with Word, the world's best-selling word processor. Easy-to-use templates provide an instant framework whether you want to write a personal letter, a business plan or a report for homework. You can now translate documents, use the new mail merge feature, and include improved bulleted and numbered lists. This version also enables you to share documents with other people and incorporate their comments, making it simple to work together on a letter or report.

Works 7.0 Organise your personal and small business projects with this essential kit. Works 7.0 includes a word processor*, spreadsheet, database and calendar, and email and Internet tools. It will help you produce documents, create spreadsheets, keep track of your contacts and appointments, and synchronise with email and the web. You can share and edit word processing and spreadsheet files with Microsoft Word and Excel users, and customise your work with hundreds of new types of clip art.

Money 2003 Gain better control of your finances with Microsoft Money, the easy-to-use software that helps you keep track of your money. You can find out where every penny has gone, create a plan to reduce debt, and see your income and expenses at a glance. You can also set budgets for any future expense, from a car to a home, an education to a holiday. This version includes an improved online banking link that allows you to download your monthly bank statements and balance your accounts.

Picture It! Photo Now you can repair, restore and retouch photos in minutes, and share them online. Everyone in the family will enjoy using Picture It! Photo, and discovering how they can improve, organise and share their photos. Advanced photo-editing tools allow you to repair scratches, change brightness and contrast, and remove red-eye. There's also a quick link to MSN Photos, the online service that enables you to create an online photo album where friends can download your pictures.

Encarta Standard 2003 Enter a new world of learning with Encarta Standard. Whether you're carrying out research for a work, personal or school project, this leading multimedia encyclopedia gives you fast-track access to a wealth of information. Browse through a massive selection of articles, photos, illustrations and map locations. Take a virtual 3D tour, listen to music clips or see videos and animations. There are also links to thousands of specially-selected websites, allowing you to take advantage of rich sources of online information.

AutoRoute 2003 Whether you're traveling to the next town or across Europe, AutoRoute can find you the best way to get there. Simply say where you're starting from and where you're going, and it will give you a map and full set of directions. It features a complete, up-to-date road map of Europe. And if you want to find a particular restaurant, theatre or hotel, it can pinpoint it on a map for you. You will be able to upgrade to AutoRoute 2003.