As with any business, do not spend money until the expense will create a
return. If all your customers have 2003, then you will not need another
version. If you can accomplish the jobs without purchasing the developer kit
or using the MSDN subscription, then do not spend the money.

Start with the tools you have. If you get a job that requires additional
tools, purchase them.

--
Damon Longworth

Don't miss out on the 2005 Excel User Conference
Sept 16th and 17th
Stockyards Hotel - Ft. Worth, Texas
www.ExcelUserConference.com


"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
>
>