Word Productivity Tips?

[Abulia]

This is something of a strange request. At work I use MS Word and know it very well; my productivity is just fine. When I go home, however, and use Word 2004 I just find it…lacking. It isn't features or anything like that, it's the interface. In short, I'm not that productive on the Mac version.

Does anyone have any tips on how to best utilize Word 2004 on the Mac and get great productivity out of this application? Simple stuff like bar layout, etc, would be a great boon. As a writer I find myself doing more work on my PC laptop from work than on my Mac at home and I'd really like to change that.

 

[iGary]

This is something of a strange request. At work I use MS Word and know it very well; my productivity is just fine. When I go home, however, and use Word 2004 I just find it…lacking. It isn't features or anything like that, it's the interface. In short, I'm not that productive on the Mac version.

Does anyone have any tips on how to best utilize Word 2004 on the Mac and get great productivity out of this application? Simple stuff like bar layout, etc, would be a great boon. As a writer I find myself doing more work on my PC laptop from work than on my Mac at home and I'd really like to change that.

Haven't used a PC in eons, so it's hard for me to say.

I write about five to nine thousand words a day and get along just fine with Mac Office.

 

[Abulia]

I write about five to nine thousand words a day and get along just fine with Mac Office.

Well, that's what I do as well, so mind sharing your layout?

 

[iGary]

Well, that's what I do as well, so mind sharing your layout?

Yeah, Times New Roman.

I copy and paste most of my stuff into a PHP Database, so maybe I am not a fair person to ask. I don't have to format anything.

 

[Gee]

What do you both do, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Abulia]

Well, I do a lot of writing at my work (papers, proposals, etc) and am currently finishing my Masters thesis. In my spare time (ha!) I'm also a writer with about a dozen published works. Check the linky for my blog and writing credits.

So trying to get the most out of my Office 2004 Mac experience would help with productivity.

 

[iGary]

What do you both do, if you don't mind me asking?

I freelance for a dozen or so magazines, and currently I'm providing Web copy for a marine-related Web site.

In reality, I hate writing and wish I could get out of it.

 

[G99]

Have you tried positioning stuff like the formatting palette in different places? I fooled around a bit with it, and now, it seems to be in the perfect place for all my formatting "stuff". You just have to find your area on your screen that you like.
Also, I've developed a script, that gives you three options when opening MS Office. I find this really useful, and I could send you the code if you wanted.
Here's a "screenshot"

 

[Abulia]

Yea, I've tried moving stuff around but I just can't find a placement/style that works for me (yet).

I can't believe there aren't more Word "power" users on these forums.