Product Reviews

Everybody who owns a PC needs some kind of office software. Microsoft's Office suite is the obvious choice, but the Standard version of Office 2003 costs nearly £300. And this is overkill, as for most people the only essential element is Microsoft Word. Works Suite 2006 includes a copy of Word along with five other useful home office and leisure programs - Digital Image Standard, Money, AutoRoute Essentials, Encarta and the organiser that glues them all together, Works - and all for a street price of just £69 including VAT.

However, there is a catch. Rather than bundling the latest version of Word, Word 2003, Microsoft has included the older 2002 version. Word 2003 looks prettier, but the main changes lie beneath the surface. Word 2003 uses Microsoft's proprietary XML language. It offers better security, more options for tracking document changes and mark-up features used to prepare content for professional databases. So the inclusion of Word 2002 is a little disappointing.

The rest of the applications are up to date, though. Digital Image Standard

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2006 replaces the Picture It! Program included in Works Suite 2005. It offers quick-fix editing tools aimed at casual digital camera users, plus some cheesy frames and templates for greetings cards. Those who have a creative streak would be better served by Adobe's Photoshop Elements 3 or Corel's Paint Shop Pro X. Still, its organising features are worth having.

The next most useful program is Microsoft Money 2006. This personal finance package offers few benefits over its predecessor, although forgetful types will appreciate its reminder list of bills to be paid. Works, the interface that launches the other applications, includes a diary and templates for tasks such as planning a party and moving home.

The route planner included in Works Suite 2006 is a cut-down version. Known as AutoRoute Essentials and Streets & Trips, it offers all the basics including route planning, listing points of interest and creating lists of directions, and integrates with GPS receivers. Maps can be exported to Microsoft's Pocket Streets for use on a handheld computer.

Of greater educational interest is Encarta, Microsoft's PC-based encyclopedia. The Standard version included here has fewer multimedia resources, but it's still an ideal homework aid. If anyone in the household is in full-time education, you can buy Microsoft's Student and Teacher Edition of the full Office 2003 suite for just £85. Given that it lacks useful home software such as Money and Encarta, though, Works Suite is an all-round better buy.

Unless you plan to use your PC to run a small business, Works Suite is a stunning collection of software at a bargain price.