WebCD07

[skhyatt]

How many of you are planning on getting the new WebCD07, the book or both? I ordered the deluxe book again, but after seeing the demo of the WebCD, seems like a must have, so now deciding if I should get the CD w/book or just CD

[Golden Rocket]

Worth It

SKHyatt, I really need both - the book for the desk, and the CD for my PC.

The CD is not just simply an electronic version of the book. It has linking features which speed you to other sections of the book, as well as to IRS pubs, forms, and other commonly researched items. If you commonly use the IRS website, you will reduce this usage by at least 75% if you have the WebCD.

If you try it, you won't be without it again.

[Bees Knees]

I think a common misconception is that people might think a CD is meant to replace the printed version. That’s not true. I doubt computers will ever completely replace printed books as most of us will always prefer reading something in print vs. a computer screen. However, with the link feature between TTB and IRS Publications, the CD turns TTB into thousands of pages of detailed information no printed publication could ever match. TTB WebCD makes it easy to find all the information available for free in IRS publications.

The other issue concerning TTB’s WebCD has to do with the key ingredient that makes fast answer tax books popular. Most of us learn where our favorite charts are in the printed book. Using the tab feature, we can turn to that specific page in seconds. I can find the latest 401(k) limits without having to go to the index because I remember they are on the first few pages of Tab 13, Retirement Plans, and I turn to that page many times during tax season.

The mistake other publishers make when they convert their books to CD is to re-format the material into text that does not look identical to the print version. You have to develop a new learning curve to find the same information that you can find in seconds in the printed book. TTB has solved that by having the CD version look and feel exactly the same as the printed version. The 401(k) limits are found on page 13-2 in both the printed and CD versions. No new learning curve needed, making it easy to switch back and forth between using both the print and CD versions of the same product.

[dsi]

I ordered it this year and I am anxiously awaiting to try it.

[KBTS]

WebCD

I was not planning on getting the WebCD this year, as I was a bit disappointed with last year's initial version. But after I got the updated version with the new format, I really liked the product and decided to purchase again this year (along with the Deluxe print edition). I have probably used the "revised" version of the 2006 WebCD more in the last month than I used the first version of it all last tax season. The TTB staff really did a great job with the new interface and I am looking forward to the 2007 product.