Microsoft Office XP Developer Edition Upgrade

You can quickly build business solutions leveraging pre-built components. Microsoft Office XP Developer delivers tools and components that enable the development of Web-based collaboration, workflow, and data-driven solutions. Quickly deploy applications into an environment that is familiar to end users, reducing training time and support costs. Microsoft Office XP Developer provides all of the necessary tools for easily deploying and managing Office XP solutions.

The Developer version added (still adds, since you can buy it now) added developer editions of SQL Server and Exchange, plus Source Safe, Code Librarian, and various other useful and sometimes well-buried stuff. I'm not sure why Office Developer isn't just folded into a slightly downpriced MSDN Professional, but then Microsoft still hasn't matured on the level of licensing and packaging. The Office suite is, however, a mature product that has been improving enormously since the 2000 release. If only Redmond would lose their fascination with Byzantine licensing and Rubik's Cube bundling (cool! We can sell it this way, and THIS way, and THAT way, and for these people we can probably get them to pay for THIS THAT way ...), people might stop complaining and realize the products are much-improved.

2003 continues the march onward in quality. If you're considering XP Developer, you're likely better off looking at an MSDN package to get the same tools.


WARNING: Obnoxious "activation" required   April 29, 2002
Alexander Quinn (College Park, MD USA)
27 out of 37 found this review helpful

In keeping with Microsoft's total lack of concern for consumers, they have fixed this version so the purchaser must do a minimal registration via the web or phone in order to use the product. This means it is locked to your computer. This is an effort to prevent piracy. Preventing piracy is an honorable and important goal. However, there's more to it. If you upgrade or replace your computer, you'll have to call them on the phone and explain your story and if they think you're telling the truth, then maybe you can install the program you bought on your new computer. This also means that if you have two computers on your desk, you have to buy two copies, one for each computer. Also, this is Microsoft's first step toward forcing consumers to lease software instead of buying it. This move would likely force consumers to upgrade to the latest bloated version, even if they are happy with the old one.

Office XP is a decent set of applications, but there are at least two good alternatives that don't come with the obnoxious features. Check out either StarOffice or WordPerfect Office 2002. Both are excellent office suites and both are available on Amazon. Both are totally compatible with Microsoft Office file formats.

So, before dropping a ton of money on another Microsoft marketing scheme, consider the alternatives.


A nice improvement   June 25, 2001
Anthony DuBose (El Paso, Tx USA)
5 out of 9 found this review helpful

Very nice improvement. The addition of XML campatability and SQLServer 2000 really helps those who need the power. A lot of bells and whistels but may be too much for those who only want a word processor.


Microsoft Office XP Developer   May 17, 2001
Brian (Ottawa, Canada)
4 out of 26 found this review helpful

I have used Microsoft Office 2000 Developer, and now I am using Microsoft Office XP Developer, and this is the BEST version of MS Office XP Developer.....EVER!

BUY it....you wont be disappointed....I wasnt. :)

Brian