Understanding Office 2003 promotion speech technobabble

[Laurent]

I am trying to decipher what's really behind Office 2003 upgrade for a
solitary single user. I read a lot about all features and could have a
quick peek on a beta installation. This is what I concluded:

1. There are some nice additions and touches here and there, but nothing
radical in three of the main four applications

- Outlook: very worthit changes in interface and features
- Word: New visual modes, but basically the same thing
- Excel: nothing much
- Powerpoint: some bugs ironning and nice cosmetic touchs,
but basically same stuff


2. Being often on the road or abroad in developping countries, enhanced
online integration is not something I find useful.

3. XLM and collaborative tools are not the kind of features I use, and as a
single user, I do not need IRM.

4. For the same reasons, InfoPath is useless for me. My job is
Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Outlook, not filling or creating forms for non-
existing collaborators.

5. I couldn't see or test OneNote, but from what I read, I don't need it. I
don't have an inkpen interface, and I use the Plan function in Word for
quicknotes, or Treepad for more intensive jots.

6. Files format: I understand that for the four old main programs, files
format are exactly the same, so I can go back and forth between Office XP
and 2003.

7. Proofing tools: A new version will eventually comes out. Sigh. Another
upgrade too. But at present, not available.

8. Clipart: I've been told that now all clipart are online ??? No Media
Content CD ??? What happens when you are on the road ?????? If it's true,
this a major drawback.


Conlusion for a solitary single user on the road:

Favoring upgrade: 1 and 6
Not in favor of upgrade: 8, 2, 7
Not useful arguments: 3, 4, 5


Anybody can confirm/challeng my findings ?

TIA

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Hey, its all your needs and requirements. Anything anyone else had to say
on the matter may or may not make a difference. You tried the beta, you can
make your own decision.

If you are a home user, you probably don't need it. If you work between
home and office and use it at the office, I would consider asking my
employer for a copy for my home machine.

Bottom line is, you know your needs, no one else does. You have the most
important say in this, plus it is your pocketbook.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.


After searching google.groups.com and finding no answer
Laurent <[email protected]> asked:

| I am trying to decipher what's really behind Office 2003 upgrade for a
| solitary single user. I read a lot about all features and could have a
| quick peek on a beta installation. This is what I concluded:
|
| 1. There are some nice additions and touches here and there, but
| nothing radical in three of the main four applications
|
| - Outlook: very worthit changes in interface and features
| - Word: New visual modes, but basically the same thing
| - Excel: nothing much
| - Powerpoint: some bugs ironning and nice cosmetic touchs,
| but basically same stuff
|
|
| 2. Being often on the road or abroad in developping countries,
| enhanced online integration is not something I find useful.
|
| 3. XLM and collaborative tools are not the kind of features I use,
| and as a single user, I do not need IRM.
|
| 4. For the same reasons, InfoPath is useless for me. My job is
| Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Outlook, not filling or creating forms for non-
| existing collaborators.
|
| 5. I couldn't see or test OneNote, but from what I read, I don't need
| it. I don't have an inkpen interface, and I use the Plan function in
| Word for quicknotes, or Treepad for more intensive jots.
|
| 6. Files format: I understand that for the four old main programs,
| files format are exactly the same, so I can go back and forth between
| Office XP and 2003.
|
| 7. Proofing tools: A new version will eventually comes out. Sigh.
| Another upgrade too. But at present, not available.
|
| 8. Clipart: I've been told that now all clipart are online ??? No
| Media Content CD ??? What happens when you are on the road ?????? If
| it's true, this a major drawback.
|
|
| Conlusion for a solitary single user on the road:
|
| Favoring upgrade: 1 and 6
| Not in favor of upgrade: 8, 2, 7
| Not useful arguments: 3, 4, 5
|
|
| Anybody can confirm/challeng my findings ?
|
| TIA

 

[John]

I am trying to decipher what's really behind Office 2003 upgrade for a
solitary single user. I read a lot about all features and could have a
quick peek on a beta installation. This is what I concluded:

1. There are some nice additions and touches here and there, but
nothing radical in three of the main four applications

- Outlook: very worthit changes in interface and features
- Word: New visual modes, but basically the same thing
- Excel: nothing much
- Powerpoint: some bugs ironning and nice cosmetic touchs,
but basically same stuff


2. Being often on the road or abroad in developping countries,
enhanced online integration is not something I find useful.

3. XLM and collaborative tools are not the kind of features I use,
and as a single user, I do not need IRM.

4. For the same reasons, InfoPath is useless for me. My job is
Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Outlook, not filling or creating forms for non-
existing collaborators.

5. I couldn't see or test OneNote, but from what I read, I don't need
it. I don't have an inkpen interface, and I use the Plan function in
Word for quicknotes, or Treepad for more intensive jots.

6. Files format: I understand that for the four old main programs,
files format are exactly the same, so I can go back and forth between
Office XP and 2003.

7. Proofing tools: A new version will eventually comes out. Sigh.
Another upgrade too. But at present, not available.

8. Clipart: I've been told that now all clipart are online ??? No
Media Content CD ??? What happens when you are on the road ?????? If
it's true, this a major drawback.


Conlusion for a solitary single user on the road:

Favoring upgrade: 1 and 6
Not in favor of upgrade: 8, 2, 7
Not useful arguments: 3, 4, 5


Anybody can confirm/challeng my findings ?

TIA

Don't forget the areas where Office 2003 is a downgrade. For one the Office
Toolbar feature has been removed. I am sure there are other downgrades in
there too.

 

[Laurent]

in
microsoft.public.office.misc

Don't forget the areas where Office 2003 is a downgrade. For one the
Office Toolbar feature has been removed. I am sure there are other
downgrades in there too.

I personnally never used Office Toolbar.

If someone miss it, it can be emulated with any of dozens of
shareware/freeware utilities, or create a custom toolbar within Office or
use Windows's Quicklaunch.

On the other hand, if there are no Media Content CD anymore, it is
difficult to emulate it while your offline or on the road.

I still don't know if Office 2003 comes with Media content or not. If
somebody can confirm me this, it will be appreciated. I can't find the
information in Microsoft technobabble, and it would be THE reason for me
NOT to upgrade if it's true.