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Microsoft Puts Up Office 2007 Preview

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

June 27, 2006, 12:08 PM

With 2.5 million downloads of Office 2007 Beta 2 already counted, Microsoft has put up a Web-based preview of its new office suite to reach even more potential customers. The online "test drive" features 18 product-specific tutorials and covers most Office system client applications and servers.

The preview allows users to try out Office 2007 components directly, or be guided through walk-through tours of the various new features of each product. Additionally, pre-populated data enables users to test new server functionality from SharePoint and Project Server.

Initially, the test drive will just be available in English, however Microsoft plans to make it available in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish later this week. The site requires Internet Explorer 6 and a broadband connection.

"Office 2007's radically redesigned user interface means Microsoft really needs to re-introduce people to the software," commented Jupiter Research senior analyst and Microsoft pundit Joe Wilcox.

"The test drive also is opportunity to emphasize user benefits derived from the new UI. The latter is important for two reasons: The UI redesign is all about user benefits and risk-adverse IT managers and their employees will need to see those increased benefits to really evaluate the merits of upgrading."

"We’re seeing many firsts with this release of Office, including a new user interface, a new set of solutions to enhance your work experience and a record high number of people using Beta 2," said Chris Capossela, Microsoft corporate vice president. “The online test-drive offers the perfect opportunity for everyone to experience an easier and better way to work."

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By ds0934

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 12:50 PM

I installed 2007 at work and it hosed up my Outlook 2003 profile mapping to our Ex2003 server. Lost my OST file (cached mode). Had to uninstall everything, reinstall 2003 and resynch offline to recover. The rest of the apps appear pretty solid (so far). Not sure if all this GUI focus is worth the $ for the upgrade. Some nice improvements, but the price is too steep for me. I've been an MSO user for years, but I think I'm going to start leaning more on OO now to save $.

Score: 0

By Gunzip

edited Jun 27, 2006 - 3:36 PM

We use cached mode at here as well and it's my understanding that the cached OST file is created when the client first connects with the Exchange server. For example, I've reinstalled Office 2003 and Office 2007 on my work PC and in all circumstances the OST was recreated since it locally cached whatever was present on the Exchange server... So, I'm not sure if you really lost anything... To be clear, the OST contains whatever's currently on the Exchange server. It gets cached locally. You shouldn't have to ever back it up or care what happens to it since it'll always get recreated / resync'd with the Exchange server... (once again, that's my understanding)

Can an Outlook / Exchange guru comment on this? Thanks!

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jun 27, 2006 - 3:39 PM

Create a new PST datafile on your network Home or User drive. Tell Outlook to deliver new messages to that "folder".

Whallah!

They can mess with your client all you want and at most, all you'll ever have to do is point it back to your PST datafile. ;)

Just make sure you password protect it. Also, try and get it on a drive/folder that is included in the nightly backups... just in case.

Score: 0

By Joe Dirt

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 1:50 PM

Hahahahahaha.

Don't put Beta software on a Production PC unless you don't mind rebuilding it frequently. Also don't do it if you can't afford to lose the data on that PC.

LOL...

Score: 0

By yohimbe9

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 1:34 PM

If I remember correctly, you can't install two versions of Outlook side-by-side anyway.

Score: 0

By slegler

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 2:33 PM

That is correct. Outlook and OneNote are single installs.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 2:23 PM

I'm pretty sure that's right. Of course, I haven't tried it, because I know better.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jun 27, 2006 - 1:02 PM

lmao...

You installed 2007 on a business PC?

Brilliant.

Say it with me:

"I will *not* expect a Beta to perform as well as any Final product. I will not be stupid enough to install beta products on production machines. I will not make the mistake of posting such follies publicly, thus opening myself up to public ridicule and harassment and proving, beyond a doubt, that I should never be allowed *near* said production machines."

Got what ya deserved, mate. That was boneheaded, even for Betanews posters. I hope your sysadmin is an understanding fellow...

Score: 0

By forgie

edited Jun 27, 2006 - 12:41 PM

haha.. I go to check out this online test drive and it prompts me saying there is a 60 minute "wait time". I've already grabbed it off MSDN but was curious how this test drive looked. ah well.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 12:20 PM

I found myself wishing I had 2007 installed on my work system this morning. I've been using it at home for 2-3 weeks now, but this is the first time I've actually *missed* it's UI.

It is different. It does take some getting used to. I have apparently gotten to the point now where I am used to it and I have found that I actually prefer the new UI.

*shrug*

I thought the new UI would be a mistake. I am now rethinking that assessment. If they can get people used to it, or at least aquainted with it before it's release, it will go along way to help it's adoption.

Yeah, it's still pricey (According to the latest info), but when buying from OEM's, the prices tend to drop a bit. It may not be as bad as it's been painted.

Score: 0

By arossetti

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 12:25 PM

I'm testing it out as well, though only about a week thus far. It certainly does take some getting used to, but it's not as difficult as I thought it would be. I haven't even come close to tapping more than the most basic features at this point, but so far I do like it.

One thing about the new UI, it will certainly stand out from OpenOffice, which I think is the biggest threat to the Office franchise right now.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jun 27, 2006 - 12:35 PM

Gah....

Let's try to *not* turn this into another OpenOffice vs MS Office debate. I think we've beat that one to death....several times over.

Yeah. Once you get accept the lack of the typical menus and start exploring the interface, it starts to show some of it's appeal.

I've been messing around with spreadsheets at home, and I can fly through them, whereas in 2003 it seemed like I had to push it to get anything the way I wanted it. Of course, that will be subject to what each person wants to do, and how well this interface adapts to that.

Score: 0

By ds0934

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 12:52 PM

I would agree with that assessment as well. The value of this upgrade will vary for each user/customer obviously. For me it seems superficial, but I could see how some would find portions worthy of the upgrade price.

Score: 0

By arossetti

posted Jun 27, 2006 - 12:48 PM

Certainly didn't mean to head there ;-)

I do find the various toolbars quite handy. Makes it much easier to quickly access different functions without the menu bar. My only problem so far was that it took me a few minutes to figure out how to change the default font. Now that that's fixed, I rapidly coming up the curve.

Score: 0

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