Version: 2008

Comments on: Microsoft posts teaser for Office 2010

The software maker posts a movie trailer-like video for the next version of Office as well as a "behind the scenes" interview that pokes fun at recent links.

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by karpenterskids June 17, 2009 10:13 AM PDT
The trailer was really well done!
And the "interview" was mildly amusing...I still think it's creative of Microsoft to create buzz for Office 2010 this way, though.
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by dhavleak June 17, 2009 6:31 PM PDT
Yeah, I take it as a sign of confidence in the qualtiy of release they're gonna have.. and funny stuff too..
by Random_Walk June 17, 2009 10:21 AM PDT
LOL! 1997 called... they want their X-Files imitation back!

(Men In Black was standing in line, and so was The Matrix...)

:)
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by cary1 June 17, 2009 10:21 AM PDT
I saw this a few weeks ago
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by BBCVersus June 17, 2009 10:37 AM PDT
That interview sucked alot, bad playing by the actors, and is it me, or Microsoft has a real bad humor?
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by Random_Walk June 17, 2009 5:05 PM PDT
...they're stuck in a time-warp.

They still think that the 'Agent Smith'/MiB/XFiles genre is cool with the demographic they're aiming for.
by kieranmullen June 17, 2009 11:52 PM PDT
Best Buy does this too with the Geek Squad
by Splashes June 17, 2009 10:47 AM PDT
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Maybe I'll just quietly vomit instead.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that meeting:

"Okay guys, we've just released Office 2007, to great critical and popular acclaim. I'm lovin' that ribbon thing! But now it's time to get to work on Office 2010. Any ideas?"

Silence.

"I got it! Since everyone seems to really dig the idea of trashing years of acquired knowledge to learn a new interface, how about we do it again?"

"Great thinking! Now that's what I call innovative strategery. We'll call it 'the puppy,' because everyone likes puppies, so everyone will LOVE Microsoft right? But how do we build some 'buzzing' on the internets? How do we get all those newfangled Tweetering-type people to go 'viral' and push our product into 'the social'? Any ideas?"

Silence.

"Uh, how about this? We make a really cool trailer? With kind of a 'Matrix' vibe?"

"Perfect! It'll be an even bigger hit than our 'Songsmith' video! And maybe even as cool as our 'SP1' video! Okay people, let's do this thing!"
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by June 17, 2009 7:31 PM PDT
The change to the Ribbon Interface was a real bad mistake. I hate the new interface! I hate it!!!! I was so frustrated that to just get a normal menu and icon bar I started using Open Office. Now understand I have been a MCSE and MS Subject Matter Expert for over 12 years, but man do I hate the new interface.

Can I say it one more time: I hate the Ribbin Interface... and why couldn't they provide both during transition anyway.
by pentest June 17, 2009 10:53 AM PDT
There are simply no words to adequately describe the stupidity and lameness of this. These make the laughably pathetic Seinfeld ads looks downright reasonable.
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by monkeyfun14 June 17, 2009 10:56 AM PDT
Pentest,

At this point I don't see why CNet doesn't make a special box just for you to post in.

It could be labeled "Pentest insert troll here"
by Vegaman_Dan June 17, 2009 11:43 AM PDT
@pentest:

Why, I do believe this is the most postiive and glowing comment you have ever made on CNET on any subject. And here people were starting to think you were permanently a sour puss. :)

Times do change, it seems.

But at the end of the day, regardless of how lame you felt the ad was, you DID watch it, knowing fully well in advance that you would hate it. That, my friend, is a successful ad. You knew it was going to be bad and yet you still went out of your way to watch it. Sounds like they got to you.
by Seaspray0 June 17, 2009 4:21 PM PDT
"There are simply no words to adequately describe the stupidity and lameness of this." Yes there is a word to describe the stupidity and lameness... of your post. The word is troll.
by sargess25 June 17, 2009 10:56 AM PDT
what's Office 2010?

how relevant (outside conservative enterprise segment) is this clunky, bloated virus-friendly, unsightly software?

even Apple, at first attempt, did a better & classier job with iWork
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by JasonCe June 17, 2009 11:03 AM PDT
dream on, apple fanboy. office 2007 is by far the best productivity suite ever released.

and your attempt of trying to make real everyday people who use Microsoft software look like "conservative" nerds is from Apple's snob playbook. So typical.
by lennie22 June 17, 2009 2:02 PM PDT
@sargess25:

iwork guy? you are not serious, right?
by monkeyfun14 June 17, 2009 2:05 PM PDT
Sargess

iWork can't even touch Office when it comes to features.
by Maccess June 17, 2009 4:15 PM PDT
"dream on, apple fanboy. office 2007 is by far the best productivity suite ever released."
@JasonCe

Heads-Up: Next year, you're going to be bombarded with ads telling you what a dinosaur Office 2007 is and how Office 2010 is the best productivity suite ever released.
by Seaspray0 June 17, 2009 4:31 PM PDT
I'm absolutely amazed at your level of knowledge of software that hasn't been released yet.

... yep, the knowledge level of an a troll.
by gggg sssss June 17, 2009 7:18 PM PDT
iWork = notepad
by sharmajunior June 17, 2009 11:05 AM PDT
All I have to say after the article is...Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

That's it.

No comments.
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by saintseminole June 17, 2009 11:21 AM PDT
Kudos to MS on their attempt at playful advertising.

But -- and I have this feeling with many new products or "upgrades" -- what was wrong with previous products? I followed the Office upgrades through 2003. By that time, I realized they weren't changing much (for the average user) except the interface, which grew increasingly confusing.

Fortunately, I still had my old Office 97 CD, and installed it. Vista likes it just fine, and so do I.
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by zizzybaloobah June 17, 2009 11:38 AM PDT
Please Microsoft - enough with the new versions of Office already.
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by monkeyfun14 June 17, 2009 2:05 PM PDT
Why would a company just stop updating a product?
by lennie22 June 17, 2009 2:18 PM PDT
@monkeyfun14:

zizzy is the type that says "stop coming out with new versions" then when they stop coming out with new versions.....he start saying, "look how long they haven't updated their software, they're outdated and behind the times"
just like the companies who didn't want MSFT to update IE6
by Random_Walk June 17, 2009 3:46 PM PDT
"Why would a company just stop updating a product?"

...what exactly is there to update in a word processor, spreadsheet, and other similar apps that have been around more-or-less since the last ice age? What, did they add a new animation sequence in Powerpoint or something?

There comes a point when it doesn't matter how much icing you add to a cake - it's still just a cake.
by dhavleak June 17, 2009 6:37 PM PDT
@ Random Walk

You are seriously lacking imagination and vision (ironically, it's your MS-hate that's blinding you). What's there to update in an office suite you ask? Wow!
by monkeyfun14 June 17, 2009 9:00 PM PDT
@Random_Walk

I don't see you complaining about OpenOffice or iWork.
by Random_Walk June 18, 2009 6:51 AM PDT
...so instead of actually listing any new features, you two have decided to go for ad hominem.

That alone pretty much proves my point, folks. ;)
by Random_Walk June 18, 2009 6:52 AM PDT
@monkeyfun:

Last I checked, OOo and iWork aren't marketing new products like mad (and OOo still need a lot of polish).
by Mweaver2k9 June 17, 2009 11:38 AM PDT
Is it just me, or do many other peeps just hate those Fugly ribbons?? It's to late now, but I wish they would do away with them, or just give users the option to go back classic. File Edit View Tools, I want them back
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by Vegaman_Dan June 17, 2009 11:45 AM PDT
There was an initial outcry about them, but like most things in life, that can be attributed to people who just don't like change. The complaints have dropped off and people just use the ribbon as it was meant to be used.

People who use the product seldom complain about it. Those that don't have plenty of free time to complain.
by sythara June 17, 2009 11:53 AM PDT
@Vegaman_Dan

completely agree with ya!
by lennie22 June 17, 2009 2:14 PM PDT
I like the ribbon. I don't knwo how you see it as "fugly" but it looks better than every other productivity software out there....well maybe you're the type who likes the office 2003 look.
by Random_Walk June 17, 2009 4:29 PM PDT
wow... I read this, and I'm reminded of how many times the Microsoft partisans on this site derided folks as doing "whatever Steve Jobs tells you to" or similar...

...and here we are seeing justification for what has to be the most disruptive, desktop-real-estate-eating, ugliest UI element to have come out since BOB was released...

Tell me, how does that kool-aid really taste?
by danielwsmithee June 17, 2009 12:29 PM PDT
I agree the ribbon is great. It just takes some getting used to. Now that I'm familiar with it I accomplish more in less time.
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by lennie22 June 17, 2009 2:20 PM PDT
this was the point of the ribbon....you can accomplish more in less time.....and this is what productivity softwares should give it's users.
by jmans1212 June 17, 2009 12:42 PM PDT
Well office 2010 the movie. And will it come with it's own action figures?
I saw the trailer and thought how much did this cost them? Microsoft could do better for giving a better break on costs for people that do end up upgrading.
For me advertisements never work. It is the functionality of the product that either has me wanting to work with it or not.
If they really want to get people excited they should do what they did in 2007 when office and vista were released. Hold expos in various cities where the people attending get the office 2010 product for free. This way they can show what they learned at the expo to their employers etc.
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by Tech Victim June 17, 2009 3:08 PM PDT
Who cares - microsoft is SO far behind Apples products like "Keynote" for presentations it's not even funny. How they got their lunch eaten with a 20 year head start I have no idea, but I've moved to Apple's application software and would NEVER go back. Talk about a completely arrogant and out of touch company - welcome to microsoft.

Maybe they should FIRE Ballmer - hint, hint!
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by Mark_Anderson June 17, 2009 3:31 PM PDT
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Oh shut up. Seriously, if you think iWork is even remotely comparable to Office you're delusional. Why do you think Office 2008 outsells it comprehensively?

Silly person.
by Random_Walk June 17, 2009 4:30 PM PDT
"Why do you think Office 2008 outsells it comprehensively?"

Inertia. Legacy issues. Lock-in.
by Seaspray0 June 17, 2009 4:36 PM PDT
@Tech Victim. Let's let the public decide what they do and don't want, shall we? Willing to take any bets on which one sells more? I'll pick office.
by gggg sssss June 17, 2009 7:27 PM PDT
of course keynote only runs on a crapple so it will NEVER beat Office. and NOBODY WILL CARE
by monkeyfun14 June 17, 2009 9:00 PM PDT
@Random_Walk

iWork opens Office documents.
by ppgreat June 17, 2009 9:12 PM PDT
I just spent most of my evening trying to wade through PowerPoint (and I'm no novice at it!) to assist my wife in getting a presentation ready for her job. Company provided IBM Thinkpad.

I have to say that after using Keynote more and more, it runs circles around PowerPoint in its ease of use and graphics capabilities.

Just for the heck of it, I had her email me the presentation and I opened it in Keynote. Opened perfectly. No translation errors. No graphics errors.
by lennie22 June 18, 2009 12:15 AM PDT
@ppgreat:



wow it makes me wonder if you're just lying to make your point......but my girlfriend who just basically knows how to check her emails, write her papers in Word and check out those celebrity gossip websites, guess what? she did her presentation in PowerPoint 07 and she isn't that good in using computers.... [CNET editors' note: Personal attack deleted.]



Anyways, it makes me wonder which version you were using? because 03 and 07 has different usability strengths....my girlfriend uses 07 with ease because everything she needs are right there on the ribbon.
by Random_Walk June 18, 2009 6:54 AM PDT
"iWork opens Office documents."

...but not all of them.
by ppgreat June 17, 2009 9:08 PM PDT
The one thing that I've never understood about MS apps, whether Word or Excel or Powerpoint or Outlook, is the propensity to take over ever square inch of screen real estate when opened?ribbons, columns, etc.

Drives me nuts! (Short drive.)
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by lennie22 June 18, 2009 12:25 AM PDT
I don't know what to make of your post.....I don't think you knew that the ribbon can be set to auto-hide (right click any empty space on the ribbon and click the "Minimize Ribbon" button) this gives you a minimalist look that even gives you more screen real estate than Office 03.
by weegg June 18, 2009 7:09 AM PDT
MS Office sucks for so many reasons. MS bad inconsistent programming is easy to detect. For example in Mac Office 2008.

Inane redundant illogical dialog popups, like: The suchandsuch document was created by Excel. Do you want to open it with Excel? (and the popup has the powerpoint icon). <- ***?

In Word if you have grouped graphical objects when you "ungroup" them their alignments are not maintained (this worked before in earlier office versions). I suspect this is probably because I built these objects in an earlier Word version (Office 2004) and I maintain the documents in "Compatibility Mode" (so much for compatibility). This one feature is almost a deal breaker for Word. As a work around I have to copy the grouped objects from my word document over to powerpoint and ungroup them there to rework them and then regroup in powerpoint and paste them back into Word. Unfortunately, when I paste the group back into Word it gets put back in as a MS Graphical Object (that I cannot ungroup???), so I have to now store both the word document and a powerpoint document of my graphical representations for my documents. Earlier version of Office handled this better.

Keystrokes for the same actions are different between Word and Powerpoint and should not be. For example, if I move a graphical object 1 pixel at a time left/right/up/down I use the Option/Alt and the appropriate arrow key in Word. To do the exact same operation in Powerpoint you use the Apple/Cloverleaf and same arrow key. Strange inconsistency within their MS own office apps.

Copy and Paste do not work as they should. I get random font color and size changes when I copy/cut and paste in-between MS Office apps. The older version of Office 2003-2004 worked slightly better for this operation.

Word still doesn't properly maintain "Bullets and Numbering" when it comes to either captions or sections of text. Insertion of new captions or sections is a hit or miss operation for their numbering which is used for building your tables (content or figures). A lot of times I have to manually start at the beginning with my first caption or numbered section of text and manually reissue the numbering selection for each succeeding one to insure it Word get it right. This has always been a problem with Office.

Gee, this all works fine in Open Office. Maybe MS should take them over.

Why do people live with their shoddy software.
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by quikboy2 June 22, 2009 2:15 AM PDT
Perhaps for Office 2008, but Office 2007 is awesome.
by wiredchicken June 18, 2009 1:13 PM PDT
Funny, creative for a company like microsoft
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