Advantages: Fast - easy - suitable for any ages - no credit card - safe - cheap
Disadvantages: have to go shop to buy them instead of buying off the market place directly

...What are MicroSoft points? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Microsoft Points are the currency of the Xbox Live Marketplace. The points allow users to purchase content without a credit card, and reduce the number of small credit card transaction fees which Microsoft would otherwise pay. Many downloads on the Xbox Live Marketplace are free, but for premium content, such as full versions of arcade games and some types of downloadable content to further the experience of a full fledged title, Microsoft Points must be purchased and redeemed to download a particular piece of content. Where can you buy Prepaid Cards? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prepaid cards can be purchased at retail stores for example www.game.co.uk, www.gamestation.co.uk and loads more. These allow individuals who lack a credit card to directly purchase Points using cash or check... Read review

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Advantages: used to be only credit card accepted in store (NOT anymore!!), get free M&S magazine
Disadvantages: will receive endless mail from M&S financial services

...The M&S store credit card used to be unique...but not anymore! Until March last year (2000) M&S were the only department store to REFUSE to accept any other credit card except their very own M&S credit card. So what is special if anything; about their very own credit card, well not a lot, there were NO real bonuses or loyalty discounts for members* (such as Debenhams Cardholders). APR was a standard 21.2%. Oh, hang on before I put down this card completely.. the "only" thing that is given to M&S Chargecard holders is a complimentary copy of the M&S magazine (normally £1-£2 to buy) and only recently they have started to offer £5 off vouchers off clothing only if you spend "at LEAST £50" on clothing and that’s about it!! Compare that to other store cards which offer 10% off on as little as £20 minimum spend. These days whatever... Read review

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Advantages: Buy lots of great content, New content going up all the time.
Disadvantages: Gamer Pictures and Themes are overpriced, The fact they are points mean you spend more!

...Microsoft Points are what you need to purchase content from Microsoft's online service Xbox Live. Some people get these confused with Gamerscore points, which you earn by getting achievements in games but these you have to pay for! Points You can get Microsoft points directly from the Xbox 360 console, but if you don't feel happy about giving Microsoft direct access to your credit card you can purchase a Microsoft points card in store. You can get either a 2100 point card or a 4200 point card, once you have purchased your box of points inside you will have a little leaflet with a scratch off surface which will reveal your points code. Once you have revealed the code, turn on your Xbox 360 console and navigate to the Marketplace blade, from here select the Redeem code option and then type in your Microsoft points code. Make sure you... Read review

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Advantages: Fast and easy to run, with good clear reports on your finances
Disadvantages: Some web-based financial institutions have no affiliation with t he progra,

...If you ever have problems balancing your monthly bank statement, then Microsoft's Money 99 is an essential utility offering many features. You can set up multiple accounts (both home and business) including credit card and loan accounts, set up your regular bills, determine a budget to stick to and access various reports to see where your money is going over any period. The program is very customisable, and incredibly easy to set up and run. One nice feature is that you can link it up with your financial institution assuming their web site is geared towards this program, for easy and automatic transfers etc. This is a very handy piece of kit, and will track your finances considerably easier than my old method of scribbled notes in a notebook! Try it!... Read review

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Advantages: Easy way to purchase additional content
Disadvantages: Over pricing of download content

...). After no little head scratching by the great and good at Microsoft, a system of tokens known as Microsoft points were decided upon. Members of the public could purchase these points either online or off in varying increments as their hearts desired, and redeem them on Xbox Live. Not only would this be easier for the average Xbox Live member to procure the points it was also a canny way for Microsoft to avoid an avalanche of credit card transaction fees had they of only accepted credit cards online. In the UK Microsoft Points are typically sold on cards of 2100 for a little under twenty pounds, although bargains can occasionally be found (Amazon currently ask for a penny under eighteen pounds). To use, the purchaser simply scratches a panel on the card to reveal a unique sixteen digit code. This code can then be entered on the "Marketplace... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good for personal and business usage
Disadvantages: As always with Microsoft, its price

...One rare thing about Publisher is that, and to its credit, it doesn't seem to crash as much as its brother and sister apps. Word and Excel to name a few. When I saw the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" and they were talking about computer bugs, I wondered about Microsoft. The good thing about this package is everything - you can use it to create posters, letterheads and newsletters, especially useful for people who are self employed or run a business. It can be useful for large businesses too but it tends to be the smaller businesses and home owners who will find Publisher more useful. On the downside of Publisher, Microsoft have done it again - its price tag. Horribly overpriced. You don't pay for the product, you pay for the name, though no name warrants such a huge price. It's a monopoly and its about time something was done... Read review

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Advantages: Spend money & get coupons
Disadvantages: Has been taken over by HSBC, loyalty scheme might go

...Plans), Investing (ISA, Unit Trust, Pensions), Insurance (Travel, Car, Home, Pets! And Weddings!!!!), Saving (Mini Cash ISA) &More (Travel Money, Credit Card, Charge Card). The Credit Card Revolution I'm sure many of you can remember the big scandal in the papers little more than a year ago, one announcement from M&S and the journalists went crazy. When M&S first proposed to transfer all of their existing loyalty card/charge card holders balances into credit card balances, the rules were broken and many of the banking world were astounded by this proposal which would turn the world to debt. This was the first time any company had attempted such an evil deed. Journalists run copious articles centred around this moment. This would be the singular moment that all of the people living happily with their charge card would be plunged... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Easy to use, import statements
Disadvantages: None

...I currently use Microsoft Money 99 for all my finances. I have used previous versions of this product and have found it to be a lot better than the competition. Money provides you with accurate accounting software so that you will always know just how much money you have and just where it all goes to. I run multiple accounts within the program, I am treasurer of a local Youth Club and for a basketball team and this program has been invaluable for me in keeping accounts up to date. Its features let me produce reports about how money is spent, what money is available and produce accurate records for accountants. I also keep my home finances in Money 99 which helps me to keep track of Direct Debits, Standing Orders, household expenditure and a whole host of other figures. You can record details of all your loans, credit cards... Read review

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Advantages: Powerful Tool, Great Variation Of Feature
Disadvantages: Slow Loading, A Lot Of Space Taken Up, Manual Updates

...Microsoft Works, the faithful companion to microsoft office! Unfortunately the two word processors dont save in the same default file type so using the two together isn't a great idea! However Microsoft Works is a really powerful program! My favourite feature probably being the Greeting Card design application! This is great for all occasions! Especailly birthdays! However it boasts many more features than that alone! I will not list these now as you could just read about those in product description! However, this is the the programme on my computer that takes up the MOST space out of everything! This product is free with any windows computer and is well worth the space taken up! Unfortunately, if you wish to update the program, you must visit the Microsoft website! This also offers tools to convert .WPS (Works File Type) into a file... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use, keeps track of your money.
Disadvantages: A lot to learn, you need to use it every few days.

...MICROSOFT MONEY 2003 I've always been a fan of BBC's financial advisor Alvin Hall and after reading his book Your Money or Your Life I thought I'd get my finances into order so I bought Microsoft Money 2003 to help me along. Now I'd like to put myself into Alvin's shoes and try and help a few more people get out of debt and get saving for the future. SETTING UP After the easy installation of the program a set up wizard will guide you through setting up all your accounts and financial information. It will ask you the most personal and detailed information about your finances, but it is all worth while. You will set up balances for each of your accounts along with the type of account and the bank or building society with which it is held. You have the option to add in the details and values of all your assets such as your house... Read review

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