dictionaries and else

[tlamha]

Hi, I have recently bought a MacBook and would like to ask you whether
the dictionaries installed in Office software vary between countries
(if I buy Office in the US, for example, what dictionaries does it come
with, and if I do the same in Switzerland, same question). And I would
also appreciate your general comments on Office 2004 and Intel-Macs.
Thanks.

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Depends on what you mean by dictionaries.

If you mean things that offer definitions, all versions of Office 2004,
whether English or other languages, only offer English language definitions
for English words.

If you mean the ability to spellcheck, all versions, English or
international, have the same sets of proofing tools, as far as I know.
Grammar checking is very limited, spellchecking less limited. See here for
more details:
http://word.mvps.org/Mac/Languages.html

The main difference between English and international versions is the UI
language--whether menus, dialogs, Help are in English or a different
language. Many Mac programs allow you switch UI language on the fly from the
same installation--MacOffice 2004 does NOT. (people frequently complain)
(No idea whether a Swiss version offers the ability to pick French or
German)

I assume your MacBook came with a trial version of Office 2004 (Test Drive)?
Or you can download it from mactopia.com. If you buy Office 2004, be sure to
remove the trial version before installing your retail version.

Intel Macs run Office 2004 through Rosetta--various tests suggest that the
speed is about the same as on a PPC Mac--a google would turn up more info on
that. Not sure what else you are looking for re general comments--your best
bet would be to spend some time with the trial version to see whether you
like it. Problems are more likely to be reported on the program-specific
newsgroups that in this newsgroups, so you might browse those to get a
sense. I don't have an Intel Mac, so others might have more to say on that
topic.

Hope that helps,

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

The main difference between English and international versions is the UI
language--whether menus, dialogs, Help are in English or a different
language. Many Mac programs allow you switch UI language on the fly from the
same installation--MacOffice 2004 does NOT. (people frequently complain)
(No idea whether a Swiss version offers the ability to pick French or
German)

As far as I know, there is no "Swiss" version per se. You'll get either
the German, French or Italian version there.

Corentin

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

If you mean things that offer definitions, all versions of Office 2004,
whether English or other languages, only offer English language definitions
for English words.

Actually, I might have messed up there--I'm pretty sure the only definition
dictionary that exists is English, but I don't know whether the English one
is included with non-English versions.

 

[Michel Bintener]

Actually, I might have messed up there--I'm pretty sure the only definition
dictionary that exists is English, but I don't know whether the English one
is included with non-English versions.

It is.

--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:Mac (Entourage & Word)

***Always reply to the newsgroup.***

 

[Michel Bintener]

How odd (for most people, anyway, working mostly in the language of their
localization, not English). Rather presumptuous and lame at the same time.
They should provide a Definitions Dictionary for each localization. I find
it rather hard to believe that Encarta has not contracted these out ages
ago.

It really doesn't make sense, does it? My copy of Office v.X was in German,
and I was quite glad that there was a built-in English dictionary, but I do
realise that most people who buy the German edition would much rather have a
German dictionary than an English one. And, as you've said, it's all the
more surprising since there are localised versions of Encarta.

--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:Mac (Entourage & Word)

***Always reply to the newsgroup.***

 

[Paul Berkowitz]

It is.

How odd (for most people, anyway, working mostly in the language of their
localization, not English). Rather presumptuous and lame at the same time.
They should provide a Definitions Dictionary for each localization. I find
it rather hard to believe that Encarta has not contracted these out ages
ago.

--
Paul Berkowitz
MVP MacOffice
Entourage FAQ Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/faq/index.html>
AppleScripts for Entourage: <http://macscripter.net/scriptbuilders/>

Please "Reply To Newsgroup" to reply to this message. Emails will be
ignored.

PLEASE always state which version of Microsoft Office you are using -
**2004**, X or 2001. It's often impossible to answer your questions
otherwise.

 

[studentCH]

Hello guys, thank you for all your help.
I was thinking about spell checking when I said "dictionaries", but I
do agree that it is not very nice to provide only English definitions
to people all over the world. Anyway...
About other comments, I was thinking about the way the program works
(or doesn't), but I read a lot about it since, in this newsgroup and
elsewhere, and I'll guess I'll have a thorough look at other programs'
trial versions too, because I see a lot of people complain about
MacOffice.
Thanks again to you all!

 

[Paul Berkowitz]

Hello guys, thank you for all your help.
I was thinking about spell checking when I said "dictionaries", but I
do agree that it is not very nice to provide only English definitions
to people all over the world. Anyway...
About other comments, I was thinking about the way the program works
(or doesn't), but I read a lot about it since, in this newsgroup and
elsewhere, and I'll guess I'll have a thorough look at other programs'
trial versions too, because I see a lot of people complain about
MacOffice.
Thanks again to you all!

People only come here to complain, and ask for help with problems. That's
what the news groups are for, The several million people happy with how
things work don't have any motivation for coming here to tell you about it -
that's not what it's for.

So make sure that when you look at other programs' trial versions (and which
might these be, by the way?) you also subscribe to their mailing lists or
discussion boards where you can find out all about the things people
complain about there, too. Or you might get the wrong idea.

The various Office apps - Excel especially, Word, PowerPoint, even Entourage
as an integrated email-PIM - have been going much longer than any rivals.
They are MUCH more fully developed. As such, there are also a lot more
details and finely grained features that can do with adjustments, fixes, or
things that people would like done differently. At least they exist. In some
cases, people really don't need these advanced features and in that case
might prefer a simpler, cheaper program. Cheaper is usually the reason for
preferring an alternative. Only in the case of some very specific features -
and they certainly exist - is a rival actually better. It does happen. And
then you're missing about 10,000 other features the rival doesn't have, so
you need to weigh up which is preferable on balance.

--
Paul Berkowitz
MVP MacOffice
Entourage FAQ Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/faq/index.html>
AppleScripts for Entourage: <http://macscripter.net/scriptbuilders/>

Please "Reply To Newsgroup" to reply to this message. Emails will be
ignored.

PLEASE always state which version of Microsoft Office you are using -
**2004**, X or 2001. It's often impossible to answer your questions
otherwise.

 

[CyberTaz]

Just to emphasize a point made quite effectively by Paul B;

So make sure that when you look at other programs' trial versions (and which
might these be, by the way?) you also subscribe to their mailing lists or
discussion boards where you can find out all about the things people
complain about there, too.

....*IF* such resources are even available.

I know of very few that offer & foster a user-to-user support network as
extensive as this one. No question that MS products are by no means
flawless, but at least you can rely on a wealth of experience to help
resolve almost any issue you might encounter.

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

 

[studentCH]

Good point Paul, I'll check the complaints about the other softwares
too. For the moment I discovered Nisus, Mellel, Mariner and OpenOffice
(NeoOffice). I have downloaded all trial versions and will try them for
a while (as well as Office:Mac).

As for the student version, yes, I am an university student so I can
buy it via a special Apple Store, thanks!

Good week guys.

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

They should provide a Definitions Dictionary for each localization.

I could not agree more!!!!!!
(and I've stated this very point rather vocally every time I was given a
chance),

I find it rather hard to believe that Encarta has not contracted these out
ages ago.

Absolutely: the resources are there: they've jsut never been integrated


Corentin