compatibility issues with older, newer versions

[JL]

A colleague of mine is on OS '98, using a version of
Publisher from that same year, and wants to send me
files. I'm using XP Home, 2003. If I buy a 2002/2003
version of Publisher, will their be any compatibility
issues for me receiving/manipulating information I will
be sent?

Thanks,

JL

 

[Ed Bennett]

A small child turns to Ed, and exclaims: "Look! Look! A post from JL

A colleague of mine is on OS '98, using a version of
Publisher from that same year, and wants to send me
files. I'm using XP Home, 2003. If I buy a 2002/2003
version of Publisher, will their be any compatibility
issues for me receiving/manipulating information I will
be sent?

Firstly:
Microsoft has never called any of it's OSes "OS". Your colleague is using
Windows 98, and you are using Windows XP Home. (No 2003. The only version
of Windows numbered 2003 is a server version, which has nothing to do with
Windows XP Home).
Your friend could be using Publisher 97 or 98, I would assume it's Publisher
98 judging by the way you phrased your post. I will assume he/she is using
Publisher 98 in answering the question.

Now the semantics are in check, on to your question!

There should not be any problems in receiving or manipulating information.
I would advise getting Publisher 2003, as it is compatible with Windows XP,
and is superior to Publisher 2002 in most if not all ways.
Publisher 2003 is capable of opening files from Publisher 98. The WordArt
is one area that may suffer some alteration in the translation, but that can
be worked around.

Publisher 2003 does not by default save files that are openable by Publisher
98. You have to specify Publisher 98 as the file format, and this does not
always convert all the file over particularly neatly - many formatting
issues are introduced normally.
You can, however, create a PDF file which will allow your colleague to read
but not edit the document with the formatting with which you created it.

Post back if you need any clarification

 

[Jim Hooper]

-----Original Message-----
A small child turns to Ed, and exclaims: "Look! Look! A post from JL


Firstly:
Microsoft has never called any of it's OSes "OS". Your colleague is using
Windows 98, and you are using Windows XP Home. (No 2003. The only version
of Windows numbered 2003 is a server version, which has nothing to do with
Windows XP Home).
Your friend could be using Publisher 97 or 98, I would assume it's Publisher
98 judging by the way you phrased your post. I will assume he/she is using
Publisher 98 in answering the question.

Now the semantics are in check, on to your question!

There should not be any problems in receiving or manipulating information.
I would advise getting Publisher 2003, as it is compatible with Windows XP,
and is superior to Publisher 2002 in most if not all ways.
Publisher 2003 is capable of opening files from Publisher 98. The WordArt
is one area that may suffer some alteration in the translation, but that can
be worked around.

Publisher 2003 does not by default save files that are openable by Publisher
98. You have to specify Publisher 98 as the file format, and this does not
always convert all the file over particularly neatly - many formatting
issues are introduced normally.
You can, however, create a PDF file which will allow your colleague to read
but not edit the document with the formatting with which you created it.

Post back if you need any clarification

--
Ed Bennett - MVP Microsoft Publisher
http://www.mvps.org/the_nerd/
Before reading this message, view the disclaimer:
http://mvps.org/the_nerd/disclaim.htm


.
Ed,

Is Publisher 2003 also able to import/open publisher 97
documents?
If not is there anyway that publisher 98 can open a 97
file as we keep getting "cannot open from different
version"

Many Thanks for any help and advice.
Jim

 

[Guest]

Ed,

Thanks for all of the information.

What do you mean by, "You have to specify Publisher 98 as
the file format, and this does not always convert all the
file over particularly neatly - many formatting issues
are introduced normally."

Saying it doesn't convert neatly, but that format issues
are introduced normally sounds like a contradiction in
terms. Can you explain?

 

[JoAnn Paules]

It all boils down to the fact that there could be issues. Any time you do a
"Save As" an older version, you risk running into problems.

 

[Ed Bennett]

A small child turns to Ed, and exclaims: "Look! Look! A post from Jim

Is Publisher 2003 also able to import/open publisher 97
documents?

Both Publisher 98 and Publisher 2003 can open Publisher 97 files.
However, neither can save as a Publisher 97 file.