Rating: Summary: This is a really terrible bugful software Review: I use computer since Apple ][ era and never seen such a terrible comercial product. After install, I can't even start the program. Everytime I tried to start it, there's an "Error report" dialog, and that's it. Nothing more....How can Microsoft sell a product like this? This is not a beta, and not even a "first generation" product. *sigh* I'll try quicken next time...
Rating: Summary: A very good package Review: ... Coming from fairly recent versions of Quicken and Quickbooks (Quickbooks 6 and Quicken 2000), I found the Money suite to have many more useful features, most of which could easily be turned off or changed to fit your needs (something that a few of the other reviewer's here obviously didn't realize...). Given the feature pack, it's obvious that the Intuit software pieces would seem much more basic and easy to learn. And that they were. But after an hour of setting up my accounts and general preferences, I had no trouble finding my way around Money 2002 and accomplishing my everyday tasks. I like the interface, and the fact that it can be extensively customized to show as little or as much info as you want. I tend to like things simple on the surface, but allow for easy retrieval of detailed data. The Money 2002 package delivers here very well. One gripe I always had about Quicken/Quickbooks, is that the 2 pieces of software couldn't talk to each other (has this changed in recent years?). Being a sole proprietor, sometimes you need to talk to your personal banking accounts from your business ones, like when you're taking personal draws from the owner's capital account (i.e. living off the money you make from your business). Now that I can buy a package that combines home and business finances, life will be a little easier. Transactions will be fewer in number, and the process of backing up and keeping track of the underlying data files will be simplified. If you own a business larger than a sole proprietorship, you definitely want a more robust package like Quickbooks on a basic level, and something more professional on a more complicated level. MS Money isn't designed for or marketed towards full-fledged businesses. If you're looking for a home or home/business finance package, you can't go wrong with either MS Money or the Quicken/Quickbooks offerings. They are both done extremely well. I wouldn't rule out Money, based on the negative slamming reviews you see here. I assure you that it's every bit as good (better?) as the Quicken software package. And when you consider that the Microsoft package costs ... less than buying Quicken + Quickbooks, it seems like a no-brainer. I don't usually give 5-star reviews, but the Money suite seems to do everything I need it to, and very well. There's extensive customization potential, and the interface is very easy to understand, as well as attractive. I'm pretty impressed with it overall. -And watch out for the anti-Microsoft reviews you read around here. They are usually written by people whose only experiences with Microsoft is Windows 95.... Things have changed, my friends. OK, enough preaching.
Rating: Summary: avoid like the plauge Review: Recntly, I made the mistake of buying Money 2002. The problems started just after I installed it. When my computer booted from that point on, my anti virus software would not work at all, or, my boot would take literally 10 minutes. One good thing I do have to give microsoft credit for though is system restore on Win xp. Once I used that to remove Money, my problems starting up were solved.
Rating: Summary: An upgrade to avoid Review: I've used Money since 1993, and have upgraded almost every year. This is the worst incarnation. My primary complaint is Money 2002's insistence that you secure the file with a Microsoft Passport in order to have the program automatically update your online transactions. In Money 2001, the update occurred each time you started the program, unless the feature was disabled. You can, of course, secure the file with your own choice of passwords, as before, but you must then request a download manually. In addition, unless you disable another "feature" don't be surprised when you're admiring a new gadget on Amazon and the MoneyPane opens on the left side of your browser to tell you that--after Money has peered into your financial situation, he's decided that you can't afford what you're looking at. While this is a mild exaggeration, I don't care for ANY computer software I own to open itself up without my permission while I'm browsing the web. Microsoft claims that there's no security issues involved in this process......and if you believe that.... Pass this version by. If I could downgrade, I would.
Rating: Summary: Former Quicken User. Beats the rivals. Incredible Price!!! Review: Money Deluxe 2002 is far superior to Quicken products. I'm no fan of Microsoft products but objectively this product is much better. Flawlessly converted Quicken info. into Money. Check the reviews by computer and finance magazines - this product wins every one I've seen. Tip: Buy TaxCut Deluxe with this product and get an additional rebate for Money 2002 in addition to the two rebates listed here...
Rating: Summary: Unbelievable price!!! Beats the rivals. Review: Microsoft Money Deluxe 2002 has won every recent comparison I've seen in both personal finance and computer magazine reviews.When you buy TaxCut Deluxe you get a free rebate for the TaxCut State product too. In the end, you get three great products for an unbelievable price!
Rating: Summary: Electronic payments are a big negative in Money 2002 Review: If you use Money to make electronic payments through your bank, 2002 is a huge step backwards. Through an inexplicable design error, gone is the ability to quickly queue up a series of electronic payments and then connect to your ISP and send the payments in a single batch. Don't the Money software designers know how the banks work? Many financial institutions charge by the connection and it takes a minute or two per connection to send your payments and get a response. If you don't use Epays, Money 2002 is a great product. Otherwise, wait for a new release or a patch.
Rating: Summary: Money 2002-not as good as it was. Review: I have been using Money since 95, and have always upgraded to the "latest and greatest" There was only one new feature I liked, that was being able to show online bill payees only if desired. I do not like Moneyside, it is pesty and a worthless addition. I don't like the browser reconfiguration, or the flagging of Hotmail/Passport account, but the item that bothers me the most is in the check register. When downloading transactions the program is easily confused and doesn't find many existing entries.I thought it was me at first, as I couldn't beleive it. After much comtemplation, I deceided to wipe my hard disk and go back to either Money 2000 or Quicken 2001. I also have Money 2001 but had negitive experences with that. I ended going with Money 2000 Deluxe. In my opinion, the very best Money program Microsoft ever made. Quicken also performs fine but for me is a bit bulkier and less convienient. Microsoft has shifted directions on many products, and I am now giving other products a much closer look.
Rating: Summary: A Step Backward Review: In Money 2002, the all-important task of creating and sending electronic payments has become a massive headache. In all recent versions, regular payments were a snap to set up. If your electronic payments, called Epays, were set up in advance, each one could be recorded and batched to send to your bank later. In 2002, Money prompts you to log into your service provider everytime you record a payment. It requires multiple clicks and dealing with a succession of annoying pop-up windows to continue. The time to pay bills has at least tripled! Money fans should stick with 2001 until Microsoft fixes this.
Rating: Summary: no need to upgrade Review: I am quite disappointed with this version. I have been using money for several years and upgrading each year, but each newer version seems to offer less reason to upgrade. If you are familiar with money already (I use version 2001) to me a very handy feature is the running balance you see on the bills and deposits page. Unfortunately, with this version, you need to click elsewhere to see the balance, Furthermore, you can't press ctrl and select more than one bill to check your future balance. I have uninstalled 2002 and gone back to 2001.
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