Re: MS Word and complex documents
Ghengis, the insuperable problem in your case is that Word 2000 doesn't fully understand the files created with Word 2003. It's not a question of fast saves or change tracking, the saved document format is subtly different between the two.
If it's really a nuisance then get a copy of MSOffice 2003, the Student/Teacher edition is quite cheap. Sometimes it's just easier to give in and be screwed.
If these are complex documents then you won't be happy in a mixed OpenOffice/MSOffice world (unless MS switches to standard XML).
Be interesting to hear your comments on OOo though.
PS: So you're an old Wordstarian too.. WS7d was superb in it's time and still has adherents today. I've even got a copy, but it doesn't understand my printers.