Bugs interrupt Office-Palm link

Technical glitches have prompted Microsoft to stop offering for download a free program it introduced last week that allows Palm handhelds to synchronize with the Macintosh version of Office.

The program, which Microsoft had promised earlier this year, allows the Palm to share information within the Entourage e-mail and calendar program within Office v. X for the Mac.

Microsoft notified customers on its Web site that it has halted downloads of the conduit software, but did not go into detail on the problems. A Microsoft representative said the company hopes to have the bugs issues resolved soon, possibly this week.

"Microsoft Handheld Synchronization for Entourage X is temporarily unavailable as we investigate some technical issues that have been reported to us by customers," the company said. "We are working hard to identify and correct these issues. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience."

In addition to announcing the Palm synchronization feature, Microsoft said last week that it was offering a free program that allows Mac owners to remotely access a networked Windows PC or server and offered a rebate for Office v. X for the Mac when purchased with a new Mac.

Microsoft has said that sales of Office have fallen short of its expectations.