Can't open Office programs on two computers at the same time

[Henji]

Version: 2004 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel I purchased Microsoft Office 2004 for mac several years ago and installed it on my MacBook.

Recently I purchased a new computer (a MacBook Pro) and transferred the software over, leaving a copy on my old computer for my wife to use. Both computers are connected to the same wireless network in our home.

Here's my problem: if one of us is using any of the Office suite programs (ex. Word) and the other tries to open that or any other program (ex. Excel, Power Point), not only can the second person not open their desired program, but the first person is forced to quit.

Having re-read the license, I am aware that it only actually allows for one user at a time and that when any program is opened it goes out over the network to search for other users. But I find this quite obtrusive and a little galling considering how much I paid for the software, especially as it is only for personal use and is now OLD. I suppose one solution would be to upgrade to Office 2008, but we can't really afford to right now.

Is there any (free) way to work around this restriction so that my wife can type a letter at the same time as I go over our accounts?

 

[CyberTaz]

I'm not sure why you find it "galling" ‹ you paid for a *single user*
license to use the software & that's what you got If you take your wife
to the movies, a concert, or a flight to Hawaii you need to purchase a
ticket for each of you, right?

"Upgrading" to Office 2008 will not resolve that. The EULA is the same. If
you buy the full version of 2008 rather than an upgrade, however, you'd be
able to run it on one Mac while 2004 is being used on the other. In addition
you could purchase the 2008 upgrade for your 2004 license. That would enable
you to run 2008 concurrently on both systems since they would each be
covered by a separate license ‹ the new one plus the upgraded old one.

If your use of Office truly is personal & you don't need the additional
items included with the 2008 Business Edition you can buy (not upgrade to)
the Home & Student Edition instead. It not only costs a fraction of what the
Business Edition sells for but also provides 3 licenses rather than one.

The only 'free' option would be a violation of the EULA... Disconnect one of
the Macs from your network.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Mythman]

If you feel that the two of you are not violating the license, such as by using the exact same programs within the office suite at the same time, you could simply switch off the Airport (or whatever network connection you use) connection of one computer, such as the one typing the letter in Word, while the other user uses a different program.

 

[CyberTaz]

From a legal & moral standpoint this is incorrect & misleading;

If you feel that the two of you are not violating the license, such as by
using the exact same programs within the office suite at the same time, you
could simply switch off the Airport (or whatever network connection you use)
connection of one computer, such as the one typing the letter in Word, while
the other user uses a different program.

The EULA stipulates that NO Office app can be used on one Mac while ANY
Office app is being used on another if the installations were done using the
same license. IOW: Each license is for a *single* user. The allowance for
installation on 2 systems is so that the single user can have Office
installed on 1 stationary plus 1 portable system & further based on the
'expectation' that the one user shouldn't be using 2 systems simultaneously.

It is neither a matter of "exact same programs" nor how the user "feels"

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac