Section A.3. Third-Party Web Sites

A.3. Third-Party Web Sites

You're certainly not limited to Microsoft-sanctioned resources when it comes to getting help with Word. Many Web sites are devoted to providing advice, services, and add-in software. Some are free, some are pricey, and you'll find everything in between.

If you type Word help ,or Word templates ,or Word Add-in in your favorite search engine, you'll see dozens of listings like the following:

• The Word MVP site (http://word.mvps.org). Run by a group of Microsoft MVPs, not Microsoft, this site sets out to tell the whole Word truth and nothing but the truth. As its home page declares: "Word rarely misses an opportunity to perplex." The site divides Word issues into a number of popular topics, and a handy search tool at the top of the home page makes it easy to quickly zero in on what you're looking for (Figure A-6).

• Woody's Office Portal (www.wopr.com). For years , Woody Leonhard has provided the Word community with expert advice and his WOPR add-in. WOPR stands for Woody's Office Power Packa collection of Office- related add-ins. At the time of this writing, WOPR for Office 2007 was not yet on offer, but Woody's probably working on it. (There's been a WOPR for every version since Office 97.) The Web site is a little kitschy, but the information and tools are rock solid. Don't miss Woody's Lounge, an active online forum for Word and other Office programs (Figure A-7). You can read the posts without becoming a member, but to leave a message, you need to sign up. Membership is free, and the sign-up process simply involves agreeing to the rules of the message board. You can sign up for a free email newsletter.

  

  Figure A-6. The Word MVP site provides a wealth of expert advice. A simple, clean interface makes it easy to browse for a topic, or you can use the search tool at the top of the home page.

  
  

  

  Figure A-7. Woody's Lounge is an active forum where visitors post questions about Word and other Office products.

  
  

• Wordsite Office Automation (www.wordsite.com). Founded by Microsoft MVP Bill Coan, Wordsite (Figure A-8) provides products and services related to Word and Office automation. Not interested in creating your own templates and macros? You can hire the folks at Wordsite to do it for you. They offer a free analysis of your needs. Wordsite also offers training tailored to individual business needs. On the Wordsite Web site, you find products like DataPrompter 2007, an off-the-shelf tool that enhances Word by automatically prompting people and updating documents. The site also offers free downloads with information about XML and utilities that are related to Word.

Figure A-8. If you need some Word expertise and don't have the time to do everything yourself, you can find a company like Wordsite to assist you. Wordsite provides training, sells add-in products, and creates custom macros and templates to customer specifications.