Metal Mick, I took a look at MN4, downloaded the trial, but couldn't get on with it at all; so I think we have very different needs in writing software.
I LOVE outlining and Word's outline view. Other software which I couldn't be without is Papel:
http://papel.teiru.net/papel/index.html
which I've developed themes for from the icons which come with it, choosing between them and creating different categories.
I can't write without Write Or Die (the desktop version) because I need the pressure to keep me writing, otherwise I just get bored and don't write to the end of the scene, or whatever.
I used to throw ideas down in Papel, then roughly outline in word's outline view; then, using window's notepad, I'd jot down details for the scene. I had Write or Die set up so that it would open leaving a strip of desktop where the notepad notes would be. Then, after setting the words vs time I'd click "write" and start writing against the clock and the red warning screen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtdVJF4PiF0
After this I'd paste the scene into the word outline as body text. The outline styles have never bothered me: it formats automatically. If I have a problem, I ask the cat (office assistant).
Second and third drafts are another story.
But all this involved using several programs. I suppose my ideal software would be all these rolled into one. I can see that Scrivener has possibilities, but won't replace Write Or Die, which I've discovered can fit into the top of a split screen, the lower part being used for character and setting notes etc, a little like WW, and the Document Notes area used for the plotting details.
Unfortunately, the binder is a poor substitute for Word's outline view, but Scrivener has it's own outliner. Word is great for the kind of outlining when you just throw a few plot points down, juggle the order, add a few more, then add details, scenes, etc as they develop. It'll always let you alter the order and is very forgiving. I don't use master documents, preferring to paste into the outline.
Apologies for the long ramble again. I'm glad you've found your match, MM in MN4; I may have to get a techie friend to design my ideal software
