Microsoft puts Office preview online

Microsoft is trying to allow people to try out the next Office--without the hassle of installing beta software or replacing their current version.

The software maker late Monday released a free, Web-based test version of the new Office.

Microsoft said more than 2.5 million people have downloaded the Beta 2 version of Office 2007 since it was released last month.

Video: Microsoft Office 2007 beta 2
Changes in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook

"The online test drive offers the perfect opportunity for everyone to experience an easier and better way to work," Microsoft said.

The new Office is a considerable departure from the current edition of the productivity suite, sporting a radically redesigned user interface as well as new XML-based file formats.

Microsoft Business Division President Jeff Raikes said in an interview Friday that Office 2007 remains on track to be shipped to large corporate customers this year. Microsoft has said it plans the mainstream launch of Office 2007 and Windows Vista for January, though there is considerable speculation that further delays of Vista could push that launch to later next year.

[Drewzilla]

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[zxocuteboy]

I could not get the stupid thing to work

I tried and tried again, but i could not get the stupid thing to work...

I am done!

http://zxo.blogspot.com/2006/06/millions-of-windows-users-may.html

Here too

I am using Safari on Mac.
Is it only support IE?

[paulsecic]

M$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I'm buying iMac. Screw Gates & his ***** software.

[Tanjore]

Works with IE

It needs a citrix plugin and once that it installed the demo works. Its actually pretty good demo. You can try many features interactively.

It doesn't work in FireFox and I believe that microsoft doesn't care much for users who use firefox, because anyway they are not going to buy office. Why waste resources and effort on someone who doesn't buy from microsoft.

I as an individual user definetly do not have/need to spend big bucks on Office software.

[Tanjore]

I like the look at feel

I like the new look and feel. Quite intutive user interface. It was hard to figure out save and print buttons - (They are at the top above tabbed buttons). I liked the way microsoft is pushing the product through interactive web demo. However, I do not think that latest office is a must have upgrade.

[schwinn403]

doesn't support firefox

when are they going to learn? When Bill? When?

[City_Of_LA]

No firefox, no try

As a matter of fact, no buy as well. Open Office does the trick just as good.

[redmondrebel]

Office hosted on Linux!

Check out the story at http://www.kerika.com/blog.html. Apparently this demo is being hostedo on a Linux box!