Vic, thanks -- can't you get all that from Developer Toolkit ... or do you
have to go full bore VB?

"Vic Eldridge" wrote in message
...
IMHO, an .exe is always going to convey a more professional feel than an
xls/xla that throws up warnings saying your code looks like a virus.

An installation program will always seem more professional than a set of
instructions on how to install an addin.

Throw in fistfulls of extra controls to spice up your interface, and the
ability to truly protect your code assets, you've got more than enough
reasons to use a language like VB6 or VB.NET to control your Excel apps.


Regards,
Vic Eldridge


"William Benson" wrote:

I'm interested in advice without starting a debtate online, so if people
want to just e-mail me answers that's great too. I know most posts are
from
users seeking advice and usually that is the case with me but I have been
in
the software market on a limited budget and don't know where to turn so
please bear with me. I want to be better equipped to contribute here and
also be adequately equipped to operate as a freelance consultant building
Excel and Access applications, so I am asking about the requisite "tools
of
the trade"...

So far I have purchased Office 97 and 2003 Professional, but am missing
2000. Does every self respecting advisor/trainer/developer need 2000?
Also,
are the developer toolkits and the Visual Tools (2003) essential if I am
going to build applications for other people? Is an MSDN subscription
worth
it if all I plan are the aforementioned? Any responses which help me sort
out my options and neither over-spend not under-prepare are appreciated.

Bill