Joseph N. wrote:
Is it possible to start Word 2002 so that, instead of loading
normal.dot, it displays the dialog that would normally come up when
choosing 'new document' and then 'general templates,' i.e., the
dialog with the choice of templates?

Yep! Create a desktop shortcut to WinWord.exe [by right-clicking it in
Explorer and selecting Send To Desktop (create shortcut)]. Open the
Properties of the shortcut. At the end of the Target entry, after the
closing quotes, type a space and

/mFileNewDialog

Click OK and then try your new shortcut.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org