M
Michael Pollard
To my knowledge, the Optional Updates section of the Office Update site is
always empty, while updates are availiable and even listed in the Office
applications (and unavailable until downloaded separately).
An excellent example is Feedback with Sound. This option is given in the
Office applications, but is not offered in the Optional Updates list. If the
option is checked in the Options dialog, the user is directed to Office
Update, which does not list the update. A persistent user must then wade
through the Downloads section for the update.
Another good update to include is the converter pack, but I would recommend
the updates section include, in an organized fashion, all non-installed or
newer options for all currently installed Office applications. This way, a
user who wants a PowerPoint add-on does not see add-ons for InfoPath which
s/he does not have, and a completist (as myself) need not search through all
downloads, trying to determine whether a download is the most recent version
(since downloads are usually listed by popularity, and some old downloads can
rate higher than newer ones). Some older downloads do not have newer
versions, as they are included as part of a more recent bundle (such as a
service pack), but this may not be indicated on the older version's download
page. A completist could simply check all the boxes, or click "select all"
and know that s/he is not missing any frills. (Windows Update, or Microsoft
Update should be similar, including such options as PowerToys, with an
appropriate disclaimer to their lack of official support.)
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...d32a98ea75eb&dg=microsoft.public.officeupdate
always empty, while updates are availiable and even listed in the Office
applications (and unavailable until downloaded separately).
An excellent example is Feedback with Sound. This option is given in the
Office applications, but is not offered in the Optional Updates list. If the
option is checked in the Options dialog, the user is directed to Office
Update, which does not list the update. A persistent user must then wade
through the Downloads section for the update.
Another good update to include is the converter pack, but I would recommend
the updates section include, in an organized fashion, all non-installed or
newer options for all currently installed Office applications. This way, a
user who wants a PowerPoint add-on does not see add-ons for InfoPath which
s/he does not have, and a completist (as myself) need not search through all
downloads, trying to determine whether a download is the most recent version
(since downloads are usually listed by popularity, and some old downloads can
rate higher than newer ones). Some older downloads do not have newer
versions, as they are included as part of a more recent bundle (such as a
service pack), but this may not be indicated on the older version's download
page. A completist could simply check all the boxes, or click "select all"
and know that s/he is not missing any frills. (Windows Update, or Microsoft
Update should be similar, including such options as PowerToys, with an
appropriate disclaimer to their lack of official support.)
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...d32a98ea75eb&dg=microsoft.public.officeupdate