“Today, Microsoft released to manufacturing final, or gold, Office 2003 code. The company also revealed product pricing and Oct. 21 retail availability. The official launch is scheduled for the same day in New York.

“RTM means that Office 2003 will be available, starting in September, to Microsoft volume licensing subscribers and to new PC buyers. Look for the former earlier in the month and the other later. Office 2003 pricing will appear on volume licensing price lists, starting Sept. 1.”

If there’s one piece you buy, make it Outlook. For two pieces I would have added OneNote, but I’m frustrated at how high Microsoft went with the pricing on this new tool. It’s too bad, as it makes a great core repository for Office as a whole.