Si said:
Just unpacked a nice new pc. It has Windows XP Home edition pre loaded. What do I need to do/ buy(?) to get word, excel and powerpoint progammes on my pc.
You have to install them. If this is a replacement PC, and you had those programs installed on the previous PC (which is going out of service), you may have the CDs stored somewhere -- one alternative is to root around, find them, and use them to install the programs on the new PC. (In some cases, if the PC came with Office pre-installed, your license may restrict you from installing it on a different PC; I can't advise you in that regard.)
In general, Office 95 and Office 97 and earlier are pretty much considered defunct and obsolete at this point. For security and support reasons and just general principles, I would not install them on a new PC. There comes a point, when you should move on.
Office 2000, Office XP (aka Office 2002), and Office 2003 are current. Office 2000 will require a lot of updating, though. If you install any of these, after installation, establish an internet connection and go to Microsoft's Office Update site (
http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/default.aspx), to update the programs.
If you decide that you want a brand-new version of Microsoft Office, to go with your new PC (and who doesn't?), then you should go to a store, or on-line, and buy one. There are many, different "editions" of Office 2003, the most recent version of the Office suite of programs, which vary in regard to which programs they include, and in price.
There are both "upgrade" and "full" versions of some editions; the "upgrade" is generally a lot cheaper than the "full" version, but otherwise identical. To qualify for an "upgrade," you must be replacing a previous, qualifying version of Office (or any component, like Word) or Microsoft Works suite. A great many new PCs come with Microsoft Works suite installed, so the chances are good, that you can qualify for an upgrade version. Upgrade eligibility for the Office 2003 Small Business edition is detailed here. (
http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/howtobuy/smallbusiness.mspx)
When you install an "upgrade" version of Office, it looks for evidence that you have a previous, qualifying version of Office or Works. If it doesn't find a previous version actually installed on the PC, then it will ask to "see" an installation CD for the previous, qualifying version of Office. If you insert such an installation CD in the CD-ROM when the installation program asks, it will be happy, and go merrily on with the installation. For Office 2003 "upgrades", I believe non-academic versions of Office 97 and later, and Works 6.0 or Works 2000 and later, generally qualify you for an upgrade; Office 95 and "academic" versions of Office, including the "Student and Teacher" edition of Office XP do not qualify you for an upgrade.
You should notice that I said "replacing" a previous version, above. When you buy an edition of Office, you are buying a license to use the program. Most editions of Office 2003, like earlier versions, allow one user to install Office on two PCs: a desktop and a laptop, for non-concurrent use. You cannot "upgrade" from an previous version of Office installed on a third computer, which you are going to continue to use.
Speaking of the "Student and Teacher" edition, this may turn out to be the best deal for you, if you qualify. It is strictly for home use (non-commerical) and you won't be able to "upgrade" a "Student and Teacher" edition, when the next version of Office comes out, but the license does permit you to install it on three computers. This edition does include the three applications you mentioned -- Word, Excel, and Powerpoint -- plus Outlook. (Outlook is the calender/e-mail program, not to be confused with Outlook Express, which is part of Internet Explorer; Outlook 2003 is greatly improved from previous versions of Office.)
The Small Business Edition is also a great choice for many home and home office users. It costs only slightly more than the Standard edition, but includes Publisher, which is a terrific program.
The "Professional" edition includes the database program, Access.
