http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1674654

Works until Oct 2010.

Installing now

11/18/2009 2:51:53 PM

do not fucking waste your money time on it

i tried an earlier beta

most horrid thing i had ever seen. hopefully it has improved drastically

[Edited on November 18, 2009 at 4:05 PM. Reason : a]

11/18/2009 4:05:40 PM

What's wrong?

11/18/2009 4:06:58 PM

^^There has been no earlier beta. There was an internal, employee technical preview that was never intended to be used by the general public.

So that you had problems with an unreleased product you were never supposed to have in the first place.

jchill2: Go for it, get the beta. A LOT of people are using it as their everyday Office suite (myself included) and it works pretty damn well. It is still in beta, so I wouldn't use it for anything business critical, but it's certainly usable for everyday home use.

11/18/2009 8:14:10 PM

I didn't mind the tech preview except for the annoying prompts each time to open a file that was from the web or something - can't remember now. I didn't mind it, I lived with it. I had to uninstall one day though because I needed Groove and the tech preview didn't have it. Does the beta have it?

I know you're not supposed to use it on your main PC and blah blah but whatever...

11/18/2009 8:30:31 PM

^^i thought there was a technical preview release a few months ago? i remember it being leaked to a torrent a week or two before it was suppose to be released. or maybe i'm just making shit up.

either way, i didnt like it. i'll try the real beta and see how it's changed.

[Edited on November 18, 2009 at 8:40 PM. Reason : a]

11/18/2009 8:39:51 PM

I mean... I wrote a little bit of a paper today. It didn't crash. It takes about a half second longer to load than 2007. I haven't noticed anything different. This, like the w7beta, is just a great way to use a fully functioning ms product for a year for free.

11/18/2009 8:49:11 PM

I'm so glad that lightish blue tint was removed

11/18/2009 8:55:47 PM

wished it had a free upgrade option

11/18/2009 9:02:00 PM

downloading this now. is there a "cloud" option to save to or work from at any time?

As I understand, there should be a google docs kindof feature to office in the future, maybe that's just the future free version of office that I've heard of.

It'd be nice If I could have the option to save a doc/xls and access it anywhere regardless of fat/web client.

[Edited on November 18, 2009 at 9:43 PM. Reason : sdaf]

11/18/2009 9:42:01 PM

Yeah, it's built into 2007. I can't remember what it's called, though. Office live, or something?

Haven't tried it but if I were still taking non-EE classes, I'd be all over it.

11/18/2009 10:09:26 PM

^^Use the share link on the file menu. You can publish straight to Windows Live! SkyDrive (free 25gb cloud storage space).



Use this to publish to sky drive. Then you can work from there, or, on the go, you can go to skydrive.live.com and access all your documents and work with them from the web on the Office Web Apps. You might have to upload a doc from Office2010 Beta, or sign up for office online (office.live.com) to get the prompt to turn on web apps on skydrive.

[Edited on November 18, 2009 at 10:14 PM. Reason : .]

11/18/2009 10:13:47 PM

Office 2010: One more thing for your IT guy to worry about.


It'll be nice to see if they've put a bit more logical thought into the ribbon concept. I'm not sure I'm ready to handle another significant interface change right now, and my users would be up in arms otherwise.

11/18/2009 10:26:03 PM

While I'll probably use the SkyDive feature - that option is way too hidden for the typical home user to use and understand.

IMO - 2010 could/should have an obvious "Save to MSLIVE/web" option or something that could introduce and explain the idea of working off the cloud for typical MS office users. It would be a great opportunity for MS to persuade their current base to use their own cloud based suite.

11/18/2009 10:53:33 PM

Quote :

"It'll be nice to see if they've put a bit more logical thought into the ribbon concept. I'm not sure I'm ready to handle another significant interface change right now, and my users would be up in arms otherwise."

You have no idea what you're talking about. The move to the ribbon was very well thought out. People will complain about ANYTHING and you should tell your users to quit bitching and try it. 2010 introduces the "out" space, but other than that it's pretty much the same ribbon mechanics.

Quote :

"IMO - 2010 could/should have an obvious "Save to MSLIVE/web" option or something that could introduce and explain the idea of working off the cloud for typical MS office users. It would be a great opportunity for MS to persuade their current base to use their own cloud based suite."

I can see the privacy nuts now "OMG Microsoft is making me save my stuff to the CLOUD, I wants my cheezeburgerz". I think it's in the right place, right alongside saving to SharePoint.

11/19/2009 1:00:44 AM

Should I uninstall office 2007 first if its a pirated version?

11/19/2009 1:20:00 AM

Because I downloaded the 64-bit version, it made me uninstall Office 2007 anyway so I just did.

11/19/2009 1:38:49 AM

^same and ^^ absolutely

11/19/2009 1:59:03 AM

Quote :

"You have no idea what you're talking about. The move to the ribbon was very well thought out. People will complain about ANYTHING and you should tell your users to quit bitching and try it. 2010 introduces the "out" space, but other than that it's pretty much the same ribbon mechanics."

Noen, this is the sort of arrogance that is the hallmark of Microsoft's approach to a lot of things. I understand that some of this is just your personality, but good god. Try defending it on its merits, not "I'm right, you're wrong."

Maybe you didn't notice, but I, too, am one of your customers. I'm not some mom-and-pop shop. I maintain support for about 300 machines, many being used by multiple people. Specifically, this is an academic environment (an English Department, to be specific), where many users have been used to other tools, like WordPerfect, FileMaker, etc. It's not my job to tell a bunch of professors that they should "quit bitching." And you're a goddamn idiot for suggesting that. You might have been around academia for a while, but it clearly didn't give you an appreciation for it.

11/19/2009 8:00:28 AM

^2010 should rid of one major confusion point for lots of users (the lack of a "file" category in the top left)

11/19/2009 8:06:08 AM

that would be a good start.

11/19/2009 8:06:37 AM

lol at people not being able to figure out office07. I love that shit. gonna download this later today...

11/19/2009 8:30:35 AM

being able to customize the ribbon is a pretty good move too. i can easily make one ribbon that has everything that i typically use in excel/outlook/word and that makes the ribbon work very well.

i thought there was going to be a way in 2010 to get rid of the ribbon and go back to the old way? maybe i'm making shit up again

although outlook has crashed a few times on me already this morning. gah

[Edited on November 19, 2009 at 8:33 AM. Reason : a]

11/19/2009 8:31:18 AM

^^^^^ there were actual several threads discussing how much better the ribbon design is than the legacy with many references to academic articles and 3rd party reviews. old people bitching about having to learn something new, particularly those that enjoy such antiquated devices as BOOKS, is hardly a benchmark for usability.

[Edited on November 19, 2009 at 8:37 AM. Reason : .]

11/19/2009 8:37:13 AM

customizable ribbon? no wai! sweeet! I'm going in blind on this.... wanna really feel it out

11/19/2009 8:37:50 AM

^^ i support a variety of users, and i've heard complaints from all levels. are you saying that just because some users are older that we should ignore their complaints? that drives them away from a product. in any event, i'm not interested in rehashing this debate. Noen just needs to stuff it with his "OMG THE RIBBON IS SUPERIOR TO EVERYTHING" nonsense.

[Edited on November 19, 2009 at 8:44 AM. Reason : mr. bill]

11/19/2009 8:44:18 AM

i installed it and got some xxxxxx.dll error and outlook couldn't open. i've uninstalled it now and haven't gotten that same error, but it just says outlook is unable to open, run safe mode and repair. wtf?!

11/19/2009 8:47:41 AM

^beta, dog.

and I love the ribbon - I was concerned/put off at first (because it was completely new) and now I love it. and if it's customizable in this newest edition, it's even better. I won't claim it's the best thing ever, but I do agree with the idea that the ribbon haters need to man up and actually learn to use it. then they'll figure it out. Every person that I know that hates the ribbon has used 07 like once to a few times, and they're all like "it sucks" yadda yadda yadda. it was the same with vista. people just assumed it sucks, that they hated it, etc, etc, etc. they didn't even give it a chance. I did, and i love both.

11/19/2009 8:56:38 AM

yeah.. the funny part at where i work is everyone is like "man i HATE vista..it has this stupid ribbon thing in excel and word"

...palmface

the customized ribbon is really cool though. loving that part so far.

11/19/2009 9:04:46 AM

Quote :

"there were actual several threads discussing how much better the ribbon design is than the legacy with many references to academic articles and 3rd party reviews. old people bitching about having to learn something new, particularly those that enjoy such antiquated devices as BOOKS, is hardly a benchmark for usability. "

i think if your users have trouble learning new things, maybe they'd be better served by not being given new things. if they prefer to use office 97, more power to them.

11/19/2009 9:09:34 AM

rabble rabble rabble

11/19/2009 9:16:17 AM

Quote :

"^^ i support a variety of users, and i've heard complaints from all levels. are you saying that just because some users are older that we should ignore their complaints? that drives them away from a product. in any event, i'm not interested in rehashing this debate. Noen just needs to stuff it with his "OMG THE RIBBON IS SUPERIOR TO EVERYTHING" nonsense."

Your ignorance of the work, research, and story behind the ribbon is the problem here. Don't get your panties in a wad because I called you out on making a dumb comment.

And ^ has it right. You (and your users) have two choices: become technical Luddites and never upgrade past Office 2003, or deal with a couple of weeks of adjustment and enjoy the massive improvements in productivity in Office 2007/2010.

Quote :

"It's not my job to tell a bunch of professors that they should "quit bitching." And you're a goddamn idiot for suggesting that. You might have been around academia for a while, but it clearly didn't give you an appreciation for it."

And yes, a BIG part of an IT person's job (especially an IT person dealing with end-user software) is helping your users with those transitions. I did IT consulting for a little over 7 years. I feel your pain, but the fact of the matter is that is part of what you get paid for. Obviously you shouldn't use that tone with your users, but pointing them to the benefits of upgrading, training, and migration tools are all ways to make the experience better for everyone.

The learning curve to become MORE productive from 2003->2007 is about 3 weeks. Within a month of use (assuming you are doing forced upgrades across your network), the bitching and moaning should all but go away.

11/19/2009 9:24:00 AM

well shit, I can't even get it to download. I get the pop-up saying " Please wait while the Download Manager begins your download." and that's it...

eh, finally worked in FF

[Edited on November 19, 2009 at 9:45 AM. Reason : .]

11/19/2009 9:39:28 AM

you'd think i could open a god damn file with a super long file name by now

i mean, it is fucking 2009 and all.

11/19/2009 11:32:37 AM

It's pretty cool, but I'm not a fan of bringing back the "file" paradigm. The windows button was a good idea.

Aesthetically, wtf? 2007 was gorgeous. Will the visuals be improved on the final release?

11/19/2009 11:54:50 AM

My dad is the hardest of hardcore excel users and hasn't upgraded because of the ribbon. I told him it owns, but he knows where everything is in 2003 (like litterally, if theres a feature in excel he knows where it is and uses it) and he doesn't want to change. I like the ribbon, but you're always going to end up making someone mad regardless of the change.

11/19/2009 12:26:28 PM

there isn't that much in the menus anyways

the real stuff is in VB

or at the very least it's shit you're typing in..not clicking on

11/19/2009 12:31:14 PM

Quote :

" I told him it owns, but he knows where everything is in 2003 (like litterally, if theres a feature in excel he knows where it is and uses it) and he doesn't want to change."

Then he'd be able to remap to 07/2010 in a couple of days. The core of the ribbon is making it EASIER and FASTER to access functionality REGARDLESS of your familiarity. You should send your dad a link to the Story of the Ribbon

11/19/2009 2:27:25 PM

well... not so good so far. word keeps crashing on me

hell, I can't even open word

[Edited on November 19, 2009 at 2:46 PM. Reason : .]

11/19/2009 2:45:22 PM

i know it said beta, i just thought that the programs might actually be functional if we're supposed to test them.

anyway, i uninstalled 2010, uninstalled 2007 (b/c it wouldnt work either after that), restarted like 2340723 times, then reinstalled the 64bit version and it works fine now.

11/19/2009 8:42:52 PM

the keyboard shortcuts are different (at least in outlook) I can't figure them out

11/20/2009 1:27:27 PM

where can I give feedback? the keyboard shortcuts in outlook are horrible.

11/20/2009 4:09:06 PM

It should've put smiley and frowny face in your System Tray.

11/20/2009 4:18:32 PM

yeh, forgot about that... thanks (actually, they weren't there, had to go to start and click on it)

11/20/2009 4:28:29 PM

I am using 07 and like it just fine. So is the other guy in the tech dept. However our boss the IT Director (who is always up on the latest shit) HATES 07. He got it, tried it and can't stand it. So we are in no big hurry to upgrade because of that. I think I'm going to try the 10 beta.

Noen, a question. If I'm sharing my PST between multiple computers, does the version I'm using need to be the same? Reason I'm asking is I use Dropbox to keep my PST and documents sync'd between my home and work PC all the same. Right now I have 07 at the office and 03 at home, but haven't been using it at home since I upgraded to 07 at work. Are there any major differences with respect to the PST file itself that would make switching between 03/07 or 07/10 a problem? I knew that there were issues with other facets of 03/07 in Word/Excel with new file formats, but I didn't think this extended to my PST. Just curious.

11/21/2009 10:11:19 AM

i know i used the same pst file on a 2010 technical preview a while back and went back to 07 fine..haven't went as far back as 2003 but it'll probably work. obviously there's an easy way to find out

just make a backup real quick first

11/21/2009 10:29:55 AM

Everyone at my old job that was 40+ hates 2007. To their credit, they've been using the office sweet for almost as long as I've been alive.

11/21/2009 11:55:28 AM

SOUNDS SWEET

or is it suite

11/21/2009 12:00:52 PM

Quote :

"Noen, a question. If I'm sharing my PST between multiple computers, does the version I'm using need to be the same? Reason I'm asking is I use Dropbox to keep my PST and documents sync'd between my home and work PC all the same."

I honestly have no idea. This is why there's IMAP, and Exchange

But give it a shot. The only 2010 file incompatibilities I know about are with OneNote and Visio, so far everything else I've used (Word, PPT, Excel) seems to be fine working interchangeably between 07/2010.

11/21/2009 3:35:56 PM

^^

11/21/2009 5:15:29 PM