Some traditions are here to stay. Every autumn, for instance, students rely on hard-bound books, lined paper, and ink pens. But there's a new player in the back-to-school mix that's become more prominent with each passing year: technology. For this fall's annual back-to-school pilgrimage, Microsoft expects to make learning easier and better for students, parents, and teachers by offering tools and resources developed specifically for academic endeavors. The latest version of Microsoft Encarta -- officially Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 - was released in June in time for upcoming homework assignments. Also, Microsoft and National PTA teamed up to develop a homework Website to help parents discover new ways to assist their children with homework. Other tools to help with homework include Office XP for Students and Teachers, Windows XP Professional and Optical WheelMouse (see sidebar). And, until Sept. 30, Microsoft will donate 5 percent of every sale of these products to the National PTA, which plans to use the funds to enhance local and national parent programs.