Backup was the first thing I did before installing Money 2002 Deluxe. I don't trust any software to save my important documents. So with that in mind, my husband and I then upgraded our Money 2001 Deluxe to Money 2002 Deluxe.
Microsoft's instructions were simple, of course. Insert the CD and there you go.
The upgrade went smoothly, and Money 2002 Deluxe did a good job of importing all the preferences, accounts, and
settings from the earlier version. It is amazing when software updates so nicely. Money 2002 even has a "check for
updates" button, just like windows update, that gets new updates from Microsoft.

It takes a Passport
This new version has an entirely revamped slick interface, complete help, and tutorials. The new toolbars and selection buttons look very "Windows XP like."
One important aspect of the new Money 2002 is its use of a Microsoft Passport, so that integration/backup of your
money files is synchronized with Microsoft servers.
This would be one of the bad points of Money 2002, at times. My husband says that sometimes this "feature" does not
work and he has to work in "offline" mode. You can bet that when the Microsoft Hotmail is not working, Money 2002
will not log in. This is all tied in with Microsoft's new vision of .NET, and it still has a few bugs. We have not investigated whether you can work with Money 2002 without having a Microsoft Passport.

Money and the Internet
One good feature is the fact that you have a button to browse the Internet from within the Money program, much like
being in Internet Explorer. This enables you to have quick access to your account buttons, and my husband likes having
the calculator available while visiting our online bank account.
You can also use the browser to go shopping and have your address and credit card numbers handy on the money
sidebar, and you can drag the credit card numbers right over to the browser to order items online without having to type
them in manually. Of course, for security, you will need to be logged in with your Passport. This Money sidebar also
acts like a smart assistant and you can find out if the online purchase will blow your budget. The budgeting help inside
Money 2002 is great for beginners, and works really well to keep you balanced. I find the budgeting tools to be a
superior feature of Money 2002. That makes the program a worthy competitor to Quicken. Downloading the money
files for our account from NBC was a snap. You hit the download button and Money 2002 is quick to find that file
and import it immediately.

Some plusses; some minuses
Microsoft makes it real easy to budget and work on your checking account with a completely customizable toolbar. Everything is laid out well and easy to read. Another surprise, and to me, not a pleasant one, is that an advertisement
pop up window occurred while in the Internet browser interface of money. I really don't want advertisements, and we
had already opted out of them in preferences, but it occurred anyway. I guess there is no escape from the advertisement
pop-up no matter whether you are in Money 2002 or just on the Internet. Also advertisement banners are more prevalent than in the older versions of money, and Money 2002 updates these advertisement banners regularly. At least you don't
get bored with the same old one.
I have read, although we have not tried it, that Microsoft Money 2002 has outstanding integration with the TaxCut
program, for those out there who are filing income tax online.

All in all, Money 2002 is a mix of both good and bad points.

Good: easy install, ease of use, updates great, Internet browsing within money, fast account information, can update itself
in the background, excellent step-by-step tutorials (with audio), can import Quicken files easily, superior budgeting tools
for beginners.

Bad: more intrusive, looks like you have to sign up for a Passport, more advertisements, resource drain on your PC
especially if set to run in the background. Do you really want your Money 2002 files backed up on a Microsoft server?
My husband seems pretty happy with the new Money 2002 Deluxe since it does most of the work for him, and he doesn't have to type very much. Money 2002 comes in four different versions: Standard, Deluxe, Deluxe & Business, and Suite.
You can find Money 2002 Deluxe in most stores from $49-$65 retail or read about it online at http://www.microsoft.com/money/default.htm