Software Review of:
Microsoft Greetings 
2000 

I knew it was time to install and use MS Greetings when late one evening, I learned that a colleague had been put in the hospital with a heart condition. I "whipped out" Greetings and was able to create a card especially for him that said just what I wanted to say. 

Microsoft Greetings 2000 requires a Pentium 166 MHZ or higher processor, Windows 95 98 or NT 4, 24 MB of RAM for Win 95 and 98 and 32 MB of RAM for Win NT. It also requires from 100 to 155 MB of hard-disk space. This greeting card software requires Internet Explorer 5 and has that version on the installation disk if needed. MS Greetings also requires a 4X CD-ROM and of course monitor, mouse and printer. I was fascinated to see how this software handled the printer. When printing a card for the first time, MS Greetings took me through a series of exercises so that the software would know how my printer worked. After that first printing, I would click print, and get a dialog box that asked me to please hold all activity while the printing was completed. 

Installation was smooth and trouble free. I was very happy to read that I could make a copy of the MS Greetings CD for my own purposes since it is necessary to use the CD at all times with the software in order to access the wide variety of cards and projects. 

One reason that I was anxious to have this software for creating greeting cards is because it was created in conjunction with Hallmark of "When you care enough to send the very best" fame. Hallmark had enclosed an order blank in the software packaging so that I could order card stock, computer papers and envelopes from Hallmark. I usually use 24lb, 37lb or plain card stock (110lb) when doing greeting cards, but I could not resist ordering envelopes. All of the envelopes are embossed on the flap with the "Hallmark crown and Hallmark Connections". Somehow, this embossing seems like a status symbol. (?) Hallmark computer papers and envelopes are available in white, cream, and natural with a choice of two sizes of envelopes. An additional choice of large envelopes with silver or gold foil lining is also available. I ordered a selection of envelopes including some of the foil lined. I also weakened and ordered the half-fold cards in natural. 

My next project was a welcoming card to a new great nephew that had arrived early in February. I chose a card that had just the right verse, changed the names for accuracy and printed the card on natural card stock with a matching envelope. Since the print in the card was blue, I chose blue to address the envelope. I could also have used the same frivolous font that had been used in the card but chose a cursive font instead. The result is a card that is very personal and much nicer than anything that I could have found at a card rack. 

As I set out to work on my next card, I discovered something important to know about this card program. There are two locations to find cards – under Paper Projects and also under Occasions. Surprisingly, the two locations do not have all the same kind of cards. I needed a sympathy card and found this type under Paper Projects. I was very pleased to find that under sympathy there are three categories: general, loss of loved one and loss of pet. A friend had been in the position of having to put her golden retriever to sleep because the dog had incurable cancer so I needed the loss of pet. I found some beautiful, compassionate cards and chose one that I was able to personalize with the pet’s name. With this software, I was able to create a card that related my sympathy far better than any card that I had seen in the past regarding pet loss. 

I soon had need for a card for a city employee who had done an outstanding job of performing her duties. This time I needed a card with a picture on the outside and room for a 5X8 inch message on the inside. I chose a blank half-fold card and was easily able to place a picture on the front. I had hoped to type a short note on the inside but the text in MS Greetings is designed for cards and would not let me choose the size font that I needed to write more than a verse. Thus I had to go to a word processor to write my note and then print the card with a blank inside and then add the document. 

My next project was actually two cards and here I was disappointed in this software. I needed a card to send to a recently married young couple. There were no cards available for this purpose. All of the card templates were either invitations to a wedding or announcements of a wedding. There were one or two cards whose fronts were appropriate but either the inside verse was inappropriate or there was no inside verse. I was able to create a card that I liked by choosing a verse from elsewhere and typing it inside the card with the picture that I liked. I was extremely disappointed when I decided on an anniversary card. I chose a card with a pretty, colorful, graphic that said "Happy Anniversary" and typed in an appropriate verse. When I printed the card, the graphic would not print. I tried several times and several different ways, but was never able to get the graphic to print. 

There is an option to go to the web site and obtain Add-on Packs. I went to the site and found 28 different packs, all of which contained 8 cards, 8 designs and 8-9 clipart. All of the packs were downloadable and some were free (usually the specialized ones) but most cost $4.95. 

To evaluate: I am glad that I got this software but am disappointed over all in the program. I have MS Picture It 99 and can do most half-fold and quarter-fold cards with Picture It. My primary reason for getting MS Greetings was for the verses because I run out of ideas for verses for cards, yet the areas where I needed verses the most were sparse in this program. I also think that this program makes sending a card by e-mail difficult. You have to create the card and then save it and then open your e-mail program and send the card as an attachment. I did all this but then could not find my web card. It is bouncing around somewhere on my hard drive and I am sure I will find it . . . sometime. 

Microsoft Greetings 2000 is available at almost any location that carries software for $14.95. I have found MS Greetings 2000 at Office Depot, Sam’s, Wal-mart, Circuit City, Best Buy and CompUSA. It currently comes with a $10.00 rebate coupon in the package. The Rebate expires on September 30, 2000.