The only versions of Office that you should need are the versions used by
your "customer".
This might also apply to your version of Windows. There are some issues
with forward and backward combatibility...

The important thing is your ability to build applications that will work,
and work well. They should be error free, user friendly, and require little
knowledge on the part of the user. And they must meet or exceed the
expectations of the customer.

Best of Luck...
--
steveB

Remove "AYN" from email to respond
"William Benson" <wbenson1(SPAMSUCKS)@nycap.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Oo4Xrd0gFHA.3256@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> I'm interested in advice without starting a debtate online, so if people
> want to just e-mail me answers that's great too. I know most posts are
> from users seeking advice and usually that is the case with me but I have
> been in the software market on a limited budget and don't know where to
> turn so please bear with me. I want to be better equipped to contribute
> here and also be adequately equipped to operate as a freelance consultant
> building Excel and Access applications, so I am asking about the requisite
> "tools of the trade"...
>
> So far I have purchased Office 97 and 2003 Professional, but am missing
> 2000. Does every self respecting advisor/trainer/developer need 2000?
> Also, are the developer toolkits and the Visual Tools (2003) essential if
> I am going to build applications for other people? Is an MSDN subscription
> worth it if all I plan are the aforementioned? Any responses which help me
> sort out my options and neither over-spend not under-prepare are
> appreciated.
>
> Bill
>
>