1. Project Center: it provides a single consolidated view of all information related to a project. The idea is to combine and link all the email messages, deadlines, phone numbers, and files that belong to a specific project at a central location. You can program it so that all relevant mail ends up in that project's folder.

2. Compatibility Report: warns Mac users about glitches that can arise when you send files to Windows users or people using older versions of Office for the Mac.

3. Scrapbook: a convenient container for placing, organizing, and searching through copies of text, objects, and images that you may want to paste into documents later. You avoid wasting time searching for your information when it is all in one place.

There are also significant changes in Entourage 2004. It has a new vertical, three-pane view: One pane lists your folders, the second lists the messages, and the third shows at least 40% of any selected message. Among the calendar-printing improvements, you can choose which calendar information you want to print, such as tasks only, specific items only, or certain categories, and so on. The Junk Email Protection has been improved, is easier to use, and filters more unwanted messages than ever before. Other features include a transparent desktop window that flashes the names and first lines of new messages as they arrive in the background and a better utility for backing up and repairing your email database.

In PowerPoint 2004, the presenter tools help you better pace and deliver your slide show. On one monitor the audience sees the show and on the other the presenter sees the slide show plus the presenter tools, which help him pace the presentation with a timer; a thumbnail of his next slide; and a notes pane containing speaker comments

You can also create impressive animations and transitions in PowerPoint 2004 that are compatible with PowerPoint 2003 for Windows. There are also improvements in clip art and templates. You may choose from an array of pre-designed templates or create your own with or without the extensive clip art library.

The new Notebook view in Word is a note-taking and organizing program. It allows note-taking in outline form. When engaged in a fast note-taking situation, the recording feature becomes very handy. Your microphone records the proceedings and later you can play back the audio by simply clicking a corresponding part in your notes.

Reference Tools combine the powers of the dictionary, thesaurus, Encarta Encyclopedia, and MSN Internet search for a comprehensive library of information. You can look up definitions, do research, and find synonyms at the touch of a button.

Word's Track Changes tool provides quick and seamless collaboration for document creation, sharing, reviewing, and communication. The changes or contributions of each participant are tracked in different colors or formats.

New in Excel 2004 are page layout view, charting improvements, and formula editing improvements. Excel's page layout view allows you to see exactly how your document will look when it is printed. Your charts will be richer and more professional looking when you add interest to them by changing line widths and color coordinating them using preset color schemes. Formula editing improvements consist of improved Range Finder functionality and more Function ScreenTips.

Although MSN Messenger is not part of Office, it has been improved by the addition of Word 2004's Track Changes feature. This allows all collaborators working on a Word document to work on it without leaving Word.

MSN Messenger for Mac also integrates with the Project Center, making it even more effective in providing a single consolidated view of a project by including instant message conversations, which can explain or clarify corrections or changes that have been made.

I recommend upgrading to Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac

Reviewer: Maria O. Arguello Maria O. Arguello is a native-born Nicaraguan, American naturalized citizen, who is serving her first term as president and vendor liaison of the Main Line Macintosh Users Group (MLMUG). She also served for several years as Member-at-Large and as Special Events Coordinator. She is an active member of several MUGs such as the Macintosh User Group of Southern New Jersey (MUGSNJ), Princeton Macintosh User Group (PMUG) where she serves as a board member, South Jersey Apple User Group (SJAUG), and the Macintosh Business Users Society (MacBUS) where she served as secretary for a year, and Macs@PACS. She is a member of the Apple Consultants Network and the Apple Regional Liaison. Maria enjoys learning about the diversity of the user group community and loves to attend conferences for the Mac to represent her home group, MLMUG .

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© 2004 by Maria O. Arguello & MLMUG
Posted 07/20/04
Updated 09/15/04