Office 2010 Beta

[Gehanna]

Because I have only been working with 2010 since yesterday's official release of the public beta, it is too early for me to offer any formal opinions.

For those of you interested in trying it out, here is the link:

Office 2010 Beta (http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/default.aspx?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=4D9F89AD-1491-4A2C-B597-B7D5F5C2A2D9)

* Make sure to check out the FAQs first:

2010 Beta FAQs (http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/faqs/default.aspx)

Gehanna

[NewKidOldKid]

Thanks, this is really great. I normally use Open Office, but many places require a doc format, so it's great to have Word again.

[DeleyanLee]

Just out of curiosity, did they put back the white text on blue background in Word?

[Shadow_Ferret]

Is the BETA free?

Thanks, this is really great. I normally use Open Office, but many places require a doc format, so it's great to have Word again.

Last I checked, Open Office can save to Doc format.

Just out of curiosity, did they put back the white text on blue background in Word?

They took that out? :cry:

[NewKidOldKid]

Open Office can open doc but when I save a new document and then try opening it, it always comes out all garbled. I never thought that there could be something wrong with my copy of Open Office, but now that you say this, maybe it's corrupted?

[Shadow_Ferret]

Mine don't come out garbled at all. They open just fine in Word and Open Office. Sometimes I have header issues, but other than that, the text is always fine.

[DeleyanLee]

They took that out? :cry:

Yeah, in Office 2007. They "didn't want to support the Word Perfect platform" any longer.

Idjits.

[Hittman]

Did they get rid of those horrible ribbons, or at least make the old menus available as an option?

I've been using Word since the DOS 3.0 version, and could find whatever I needed quickly. Trying to find just about anything in the latest version is a nightmare.

[DeleyanLee]

My understanding is that the ribbons are here to stay. The only thing MS might be doing in the 2010 version is to make them customizeable.

If they do that, I'd be happy. I only know one person who adores the ribbon set-up, and it isn't me.

[Clair Dickson]

I like the ribbons-- though I will be happy when they are fully customizable. (I'm pretty sure this is part of Office 2010.)

For new users, the Ribbons will be and are much quicker to learn. For older users, it's like switching from an automatic to a stick shift-- there's a sharp learning curve and some people never get used to it. IMNHO as someone who uses 2003 at home and 2007 on my laptop, switching several times daily. And someone who teaches computers with both systems.

[Hittman]

For new users, the Ribbons will be and are much quicker to learn.

I know that's Microsoft's claim, but it's a lame one. How many new users are there compared to old users? And it's not like the original menus were all that difficult. The new ones give you no advantage I can see – they just take up a lot of screen real estate and make finding things extremely difficult for folks who already know their way around.

The real mistake was making the old menus unavailable If we could have flipped the old ones on there'd be no complaints. But MS always pulls this garbage, with all their products. Every new OS, for instance, uses new terminology and moves stuff around for no good reason.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Ribbons? What ribbons? You mean my skill sets have completely eroded? I'm not a Word expert any longer? :(

[Gehanna]

For DeleyanLee:
Just out of curiosity, did they put back the white text on blue background in Word?

No, but there are 3 color scheme options and they are blue, silver, and black. The black offers white text.

For Shadow Ferret:
Is the BETA free?

Yes it is free and according to Microsoft, use of the beta software will be until October 2010.

For Hittman:
Did they get rid of those horrible ribbons, or at least make the old menus available as an option?

The ribbon is still there, but I haven't checked to see if any options are available to change it. Because others have posted that customization may be available, I'll check it out today and post my discovery in this thread. I will also do my best to make the post today.

Sincerely,
Gehanna

[Clair Dickson]

I know that's Microsoft's claim, but it's a lame one. How many new users are there compared to old users? And it's not like the original menus were all that difficult. The new ones give you no advantage I can see – they just take up a lot of screen real estate and make finding things extremely difficult for folks who already know their way around.

The real mistake was making the old menus unavailable If we could have flipped the old ones on there'd be no complaints. But MS always pulls this garbage, with all their products. Every new OS, for instance, uses new terminology and moves stuff around for no good reason.

Perhaps you didn't read too closely, Hittman, (which seems likely) but, let me reiterate. I TEACH COMPUTERS using MSOffice 2003 AND 2007 to newbies. I SEE the difference in how new computer users are quicker at picking up Office 2007 than they are Office 2003. Regardless of Microsoft's claims, I am seeing it FIRST HAND.

But, no one forced you to upgrade. You can happily go back to previous versions, or better yet, just use OpenOffice, GoogleDocs, or another free program so you don't have to be stuck complaining about a product you don't have to have.

[Gehanna]

Running behind with my response regarding the ribbon. A thing that simply will not go away. It has an evil connotation doesn't it? ..... The Ribbon *evil laugh*

The ribbon remains, but instead of a square knot, you can make a slip knot. What I mean is that the ribbon is customizable.

This link will tell you more:

http://blogs.technet.com/office2010/archive/2009/11/09/making-the-ribbon-mine.aspx

Gehanna