Alvin,

Your first example is for a license ONLY ---
there is NO software included.  Hence the wording:
           "...Media sold separately..."
(media being the CD)

This is for people who already own MS Office and want to (legally) install
it on a second PC.

Your second example did not include a price, so I can't comment on the
value.

Basically there are two versions of MS Office.  The STANDARD version
includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint along with the OFFICE applets (like
DRAW and BINDER and the shortcut bar) .  The PRO version adds MS ACCESS to
the package.  If you do NOT need database capability then focus on the
STANDARD packages and ignore the PRO packages.  If you later decide that
you need database, you can always buy the "2002 version" next year <grin>
(since MS is now releasing a new version every year)

The confusion is caused because -- in addition to the two basic versions
of Office -- MS has also created several BUNDLE products (notice I did not
say versions) , such as the one which includes Bookshelf Basics.  These
BUNDLED products just add extra goodies to the package.

Oh, I think there is an OEM version of Office also.  OEM means that if you
have a problem, don't call MS -- call the PC manufacturer.  It is an
incredibly clever way for MS to now create and distribute products and
never have to worry about supporting them.
(If you think software (overall) has a poor quality level now, just wait
until this concept gets fully entrenched into the market)

Jim Meagher
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-----Original Message-----
From: Alvin Johnson <[log in to unmask]>


>I am in the market to purchase Microsoft Office,Standard or Professional.
>When I search for information on the internet, I see many different
>prices--some so low that it seems impossible to sell at those prices.
Here
>are a coulple of examples:
>
>Microsoft Office 97 Professional Edition With Bookshelf
>Basics End User License Agreement (EULA) License to install on one (1)
>PC.(Media sold seperately) $ 45   Computer-X-Press, Inc. 800-796-5188
>541-343-0235
>!! I do not understand any of this!!
>
>Microsoft  Office 97 Pro Retail (FREE Upgrade to Office
>2000) Includes: Access 97, Excel 97, Outlook 97, Word 97, PowerPoint 97,
>Computer-X-Press, Inc. 800-796-5188
>541-343-0235
>
>Although, this bundle is missing BookShelf and the doucumention is on the
>CD. it is still well below other prices that I have seen.

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