Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

Let Me Do It! · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009

Hello all,

One of the things I want to do before opening my VA biz is to completely learn (well, as much as I can) Microsoft Office since that's what I have used most . . . it seems most of you do, too. I currently have Windows Vista with Office 2003 . . . should I master that now and wait for Office 2010, which I understand will be released sometime in 2010? Or should I upgrade to Office 2007 and learn that now? And when will I need to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 ... and will Office 2010 only work with 7??

I know change is good, and change is progress, and all that; but all the operating systems and software changes are hard to keep track of!

I'd really appreciate your opinions!

Office Goddess · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009

I currently use XP on my desktop and Vista on my laptop. We just upgraded from Office 2003 to Office 2007 which is HUGELY different from 2003. I recommend that you upgrade to 2007 as that appears to be a common suite now and files can be 'saved as' 2003 format.

I would wait on upgrading both Windows 7 and Office 2010 for AT LEAST 1 year from the release of each due to a) working out the software bugs, b) very few people do immediate upgrades upon the release of new software so the software WON'T be common to most of your clients, and c) the software cost usually goes down 12-18 months after release.

I generally wait 2-3 years before upgrading software.

agough · #3 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009

I am currently using XP on my laptop but I am getting ready to switch to my other laptop which has Vista. I agree with Lily you need to upgrade to Office 2007 b/c it is alot different as far as the menu setup. I would do the learning curve now before you get busy with clients and save any frustration later on.

I also suggest waiting on getting any of the operating software or systems until a minimum of 6 months. That gives them the opportunity to work out the bugs. The laptop I am getting ready to switch to was brand new with Vista when it first came out and we had a lot of issues with it. We have since had all of that resolved but no need to go through the hassle if you don't need to.

Best of luck!

leedrozak · #4 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009

I too agree on upgrading to Office 2007. I would hold off on 2010 since many companies have just upgraded to 2007 and will not likely upgrade anytime soon. However there is a learning curve with the ribbons and needs some getting used to time.

As for Windows 7, I was just speaking to one of my clients IT guys and we both agreed that upgrading upon release is a good idea. It is significantly enhanced since Vista and they have done extensive Beta testing with developers and IT gurus. That is not to day it will not have some issues but who knows.

I am going to upgrade my old laptop first (since I would get the dreaded bluescreen from time to time) and see how things go before upgrading my business laptop.

Let Me Do It! · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009

Thank all of you so much for your words of wisdom!

AdvantageAdministrativeSltns · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009

As the others have said, the Office 2007 version takes some getting used to and it provides more options than Office 2003. I would recommend updating to the 2007 version, but I would wait to upgrade your operating system until it has been out for awhile. The same goes for the latest Office version. There are still many people who have not upgraded to the 2007 version yet. Also, since the 2010 version will be released soon, it may mean that the price of the 2007 may be reduced.

Office Goddess · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009

FYI - I just purchased a new, unopened MS Office 2007 Full Version on ebay for approx $150. This is for personal use as we just upgraded at my 9-5 so I thought I'd better upgrade at home, too, to cut down confusion of going back and forth.

Let Me Do It! · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009

Thanks Lily! I'm going to check out e-bay!

AdvantageAdministrativeSltns · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009

Originally Posted by Let Me Do It!

Thanks Lily! I'm going to check out e-bay!

Check out Craig's List as well in the computer section. I have seen a few of them for sale there.

Let Me Do It! · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009

Thanks Erika ~ I did see a couple on craigslist for $100+, but found one on ebay for $80!!! But it has a bunch of jargon on there about being an "educational" disc (that's why it's so cheap ~ but once you buy it, it's yours). Does that sound legit to any of you??