Learning MS Project -- Tutorial? What Version to Purchase?

[cellist]

My daughter has just completed her B.S. with an empasis in construction
management. In one of her courses she used a version of MS Project that was
available only in the "classroom" (it was an online course, hence the
"classroom" was a virtual one). Now she would like to learn MS Project in
greater depth.

Does anyone know of a desktop tutorial on MS Project? Is one included with
the Standard version of Project? Would she be better off purchasing the 2007
version, or is the 2003 version close enough for training purposes? Are
previously-owned versions of Project, either 2003 or 2007, that one might
purchase on, say, Ebay, truly legal?

TIA,

Phil

 

[JulieS]

Hello Phil,

Your daughter may be able to find a trial version included in a book
on MS Project or she can download a limited (90 days?) trial of
Project 2007 from Microsoft's web site. I don't believe Project
2003 is any longer available retail and I would suggest learning the
newest (2007) version. No need to purchase the "Professional"
version unless your daughter intends to purchase and install Project
Server. The "Standard" version of Project will do just fine.

For a good book on Project 2007 which lends itself to self-study, I
suggest fellow MVP Dale Howard and Gary Chefetz's books. See:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

 

[Steve House [MVP]]

Adding to Julie's remarks, while bargains can be found on eBay, one must be
especially careful when purchasing software as pirated versions abound and
there's a good chance that they won't activate properly. Caveat emptor.

 

[PhilRichcreek]

Hello Phil,

Your daughter may be able to find a trial version included in a book
on MSProjector she can download a limited (90 days?) trial ofProject2007 fromMicrosoft'sweb site.  I don't believeProject
2003 is any longer available retail and I would suggest learning the
newest (2007) version. No need to purchase the "Professional"
version unless your daughter intends to purchase and installProject
Server.  The "Standard" version ofProjectwill do just fine.

For a good book onProject2007 which lends itself to self-study, I
suggest fellow MVP Dale Howard and Gary Chefetz's books.  See:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com

I hope this helps.  Let us know how you get along.

JulieProjectMVP

Visithttp://project.mvps.org/for the FAQs and additional
information aboutMicrosoftProject







- Show quoted text -

Thanks for your reply, Julie.

I looked at the MS PROJECT product site (at microsoft) and found some
links to training resources. One is a course that helps prepare for
certification Exam 70-632 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/books/11764.aspx.
Do you think this might be overkill -- I'm not sure she wants to
become THAT MUCH of an expert!!

TIA, Phil

 

[PhilRichcreek]

Adding to Julie's remarks, while bargains can be found on eBay, one must be
especially careful when purchasing software as pirated versions abound and
there's a good chance that they won't activate properly.  Caveat emptor..

--
Steve House [ProjectMVP]
MSProjectTrainer & Consultant
Visithttp://project.mvps.org/faqs.htmfor the FAQs

My daughter has just completed her B.S. with an empasis in construction
management. In one of her courses she used a version of MSProjectthat
was
available only in the "classroom" (it was an online course, hence the
"classroom" was a virtual one). Now she would like to learn MSProjectin
greater depth.

Does anyone know of a desktoptutorialon MSProject? Is one included with
the Standard version ofProject? Would she be better off purchasing the
2007
version, or is the 2003 version close enough for training purposes? Are
previously-owned versions ofProject, either 2003 or 2007, that one might
purchase on, say, Ebay, truly legal?

Phil- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for your reply, Steve.

I've seen entries for lots of software on eBay and some of them say
that they will provide a product key, a copy of the license agreement,
etc. Do you feel that these types of documentation help the buyer
avoid pirated software? Could the buyer write terms into the agreement
that, if the product proves to be pirated (using the Windows genuine
tool), the seller would return the purchase price?

TIA,

Phil

 

[JulieS]

<PhilRichcreek wrote in message
<snip>

Thanks for your reply, Julie.

I looked at the MS PROJECT product site (at microsoft) and found
some
links to training resources. One is a course that helps prepare for
certification Exam 70-632
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/books/11764.aspx.
Do you think this might be overkill -- I'm not sure she wants to
become THAT MUCH of an expert!!

TIA, Phil

Hello Phil,

I'm not sure preparing for certification would be my primary goal if
I were in your daughter's shoes. I would suggest she continue to
increase her skills with MS Project, but it is also possible that a
future employer may not use Project -- they may use another
scheduling program - or possibly none at all.

Julie

 

[Steve House [MVP]]

Assuming you could actually track down the seller, maybe. But just because
you have a CD key doesn't mean the software will activate properly or is
legally sold. I could take my copy of Project, burn a copy of the CD for
you, and give you the CD key but it still won't activate on your computer
because it has already been installed and activated on mine - after a
certain number of startups you'd go dead in the water. Or I could make a
copy and give you the key from a site license that doesn't require
activation or MSDN subscription that allows multiple installs but that
wouldn't be legal either. Personally I'd only deal with a recognized
reseller who provides an original Microsoft CD in the complete, original,
unopened Microsoft packaging myself before I'd consider it. See if you can
find a new copy of MSP2003 and then purchase the upgrade to 2007.

One thing to consider - if she's already employed and her employer
subscribes to one of a number of volume license programs for MS Project
under the Software Assurance Program, MS has a program that allows them to
give a legally licensed copy of the software to employees for their personal
use for something like $30. It's called the Home Use program..
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/sa/benefits/home_use_rights.mspx


--
Steve House [Project MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Adding to Julie's remarks, while bargains can be found on eBay, one must
be
especially careful when purchasing software as pirated versions abound and
there's a good chance that they won't activate properly. Caveat emptor.

....<snip>

Thanks for your reply, Steve.

I've seen entries for lots of software on eBay and some of them say
that they will provide a product key, a copy of the license agreement,
etc. Do you feel that these types of documentation help the buyer
avoid pirated software? Could the buyer write terms into the agreement
that, if the product proves to be pirated (using the Windows genuine
tool), the seller would return the purchase price?

TIA,

Phil

 

[PhilRichcreek]

Assuming you could actually track down the seller, maybe.  But just because
you have a CD key doesn't mean the software will activate properly or is
legally sold.  I could take my copy ofProject, burn a copy of the CD for
you, and give you the CD key but it still won't activate on your computer
because it has already been installed and activated on mine - after a
certain number of startups you'd go dead in the water.  Or I could makea
copy and give you the key from a site license that doesn't require
activation or MSDN subscription that allows multiple installs but that
wouldn't be legal either.  Personally I'd only deal with a recognized
reseller who provides an originalMicrosoftCD in the complete, original,
unopenedMicrosoftpackaging myself before I'd consider it.  See if you can
find a new copy of MSP2003 and then purchase the upgrade to 2007.

One thing to consider - if she's already employed and her employer
subscribes to one of a number of volume license programs for MSProject
under the Software Assurance Program, MS has a program that allows them to
give a legally licensed copy of the software to employees for their personal
use for something like $30.  It's called the Home Use program..http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/sa/benefits/home_use_rights.mspx

--
Steve House [ProjectMVP]
MSProjectTrainer & Consultant
Visithttp://project.mvps.org/faqs.htmfor the FAQs

be
especially careful when purchasing software as pirated versions abound and
there's a good chance that they won't activate properly. Caveat emptor.

...<snip>

Thanks for your reply, Steve.

I've seen entries for lots of software on eBay and some of them say
that they will provide a product key, a copy of the license agreement,
etc. Do you feel that these types of documentation help the buyer
avoid pirated software? Could the buyer write terms into the agreement
that, if the product proves to be pirated (using the Windows genuine
tool), the seller would return the purchase price?

TIA,

Phil

Thanks again, Steve, for your insight into this issue.

 

[PhilRichcreek]

<PhilRichcreek wrote in message

<snip>

Thanks for your reply, Julie.

I looked at the MSPROJECTproduct site (atmicrosoft) and found
some
links to training resources. One is a course that helps prepare for
certification Exam 70-632http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/books/11764.aspx.
Do you think this might be overkill -- I'm not sure she wants to
become THAT MUCH of an expert!!

TIA, Phil

Hello Phil,

I'm not sure preparing for certification would be my primary goal if
I were in your daughter's shoes.  I would suggest she continue to
increase her skills with MSProject, but it is also possible that a
future employer may not useProject-- they may use another
scheduling program - or possibly none at all.

Julie

Excellent point that PROJECT may prove to not even be in her future.
Thanks for sharing your insight.

Phil

 

[JulieS]

<PhilRichcreek wrote in message

<PhilRichcreek wrote in message

<snip>

Thanks for your reply, Julie.

I looked at the MSPROJECTproduct site (atmicrosoft) and found
some
links to training resources. One is a course that helps prepare
for
certification Exam
70-632http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/books/11764.aspx.
Do you think this might be overkill -- I'm not sure she wants to
become THAT MUCH of an expert!!

TIA, Phil

Hello Phil,

I'm not sure preparing for certification would be my primary goal
if
I were in your daughter's shoes. I would suggest she continue to
increase her skills with MSProject, but it is also possible that a
future employer may not useProject-- they may use another
scheduling program - or possibly none at all.

Julie

Excellent point that PROJECT may prove to not even be in her future.
Thanks for sharing your insight.

Phil

You're most welcome Phil. If your daughter does decide to spend
some more time with Project, please extend our invitation to post
any questions she may have here.

Julie

 

[andyboy]

If your looking for a no nonsense guide to MS Project and prefer t
learn visually you could check out the 'Microsoft Project Tutoria
Videos' (http://www.computer-training-software.com/project-2007.htm
here, I used these to get up to speed on Project. Being hard of hearin
the sub-titles made learning a little easier. The only short comming i
they are basic and don't really go that deep into Project

 

[emily01]

Hey if you are really looking for resources which can help you in M
Project
Below link can help you:-
http://www.microsoft.com/project/en/us/train-learn.asp