Word: Speaking Of An Upgrade

"Everything is constant except change", or so the saying goes. Let's face it, most people hate change. Change is scary and takes us out of our comfort zones. No more so than when using software that we know and love. You know how it is - you go through the day happily clicking, short-cutting and winding your way effortlessly around a program because you know where everything is. It's a bit like driving home with your mind on autopilot and wondering how on earth you just got to your house so soon.

Then the next release comes along with big changes, rending your beloved software unrecognisable and confusing. This is what happened with Word in its transition from 2003 to 2007. Even though the newer software is (of course) an improvement, it creates a resistance because it's so new. Previous versions of Word pretty much all looked the same - identical toolbars, menus, and positions of things. Enter Word 2007 with its sleek, single toolbar and you probably thought you'd have to re-learn it all. Not strictly true, thank goodness!

All you really need to learn is Tabs, Buttons, or Commands. You might not know it but you're already used to these, just not their hierarchy or positioning in Word 2007. Believe it or not you can do most tasks in less stages/clicks than you could before (honestly - measure it.) The main pane across the top has been nicknamed the "Ribbon", how,ever it's a bit of a chameleon too. It "knows" what kind of task you're working on, or what you're trying to do, for example print, and the buttons available from the ribbon will change to suit you.

Although this will mean scrabbling desperately through each option to find what you want at first, it won't last forever as you get used to where everything is. It's all still there - you've just got to re-learn where, rather than re-learn the software. Isn't that a relief?

The focal point of Word 2007 is the Office button, firstly because it replaces the old-style "file" menu, and more importantly because it enables you to save your documents in an older format. Word 2007 is so new, it has its own new file format - .docx. Although people can download a free compatibility tool and/or a viewer, it's kinder if you can send your work in an older format if you know someone who's not yet upgraded. Remember that brand new features (such as SmartArt) that have never been in any version of Word before, definitely won't show up in older versions.

As Windows 7 comes upon us, Word 2007 will become the norm for Vista and W7 users, with Word 2003 (and the .doc format) lagging behind. Upgrade now and get learning - once you've got the hang of the menus, you've got the hang of the program. If you're really apprehensive, you can be trained on the transition, avoiding teething problems. What's more, you'll be future-proofing your own abilities. What better excuse is there in this fast-moving and ever-changing world of software?