I hate to come across as harsh but the OP did state that:

The need for proper unicode means I can't go back to Office 2001 running in OS9

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also followed up with:

I do need Word 2008, for reasons relating to collaboration at work

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So if we understand that he requires Office 2008 and if we understand that said software requires the following:

* Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (500 MHz or faster) processor

* Mac OS X version 10.4.9 or later

* 512 MB of RAM or more

* 1.5 GB of available hard disk space

* HFS+ hard disk format (also known as Mac OS Extended or HFS Plus)

* DVD drive or connection to a local area network (if installing over a network)

* 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor

* Entourage and certain features require Internet access (fees may apply)

Then it should not take any great stretch of brain processing power to arrive at the conclusion that NeoOffice, OS 9, or any software which is not what the op already stated he required is not a contender in this case.

So then why are some of you recommending software against what his already stated requirements are? Let me re-iterate those requirements for those of you in the back of the class who are not paying attention:

In my case, all I really want is to make the Cube more usable

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I also require full unicode support. The need for proper unicode means I can't go back to Office 2001 running in OS9; XML means I can't (readily) go back to Office 2004. I am not wanting a gaming machine, but a serviceable text processor able to work with current document standards.

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and of course the main requirement which he clearly stated as:

I do need Word 2008, for reasons relating to collaboration at work

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Ok so are well clear on what the OP does and does not need? Are we sure? Maybe you should read the post again.

I swear, as the internet becomes even more pervasive in our daily lives peoples reading comprehension seems to be reduced. I cannot begin to share with you guys just how much this bothers me. Please for the love of {insert deity of choice here} take more than 15 seconds to read and process something before posting. }