when is the next version of office due to be released?

[Kitty DeBock]

I am a high school teacher and it is time to start ordering new software and
books for my computer classes for the next few years. This only comes up in
certain years, and last time I ordered, the latest which was office 2002, I
started getting emails about how to use 2003 as soon as I got the 2002
loaded. I could have had 2003 all this time if I had known it was about to be
released. Now nothing has been out since then, and I don't want to make the
same mistake. I can wait till summer if I need to. Also I have a class that
does the school website on Frontpage 2002, and we just got new computers
yesterday that came with Office 2003, (but the superintendent didn't realize
he needed to include Frontpage for us). I can get new software, but will I
would like to know if I should wait for the next version. I heard a bit
about "expression" I think, but can't tell if that's something we want. We
want easy to use stuff for beginner students with lots of easy push button
design options so we can get our page up and running fast and still looking
nice. Anyway, I need a little more info before going to the superintendent
to tell him what I want, and when.

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

See http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/default.mspx . The
new version is tentatively scheduled for release during the
second half of 2006.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

In addition to what G&O has said, the "second half" thing is more of a
December rather than July sort of second half of the year. Microsoft is
supposed to be trying to get Office 12 out the door in conjunction with
Windows Vista, which currently has a proposed release date of late this
year.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Kitty DeBock asked:

| I am a high school teacher and it is time to start ordering new
| software and books for my computer classes for the next few years.
| This only comes up in certain years, and last time I ordered, the
| latest which was office 2002, I started getting emails about how to
| use 2003 as soon as I got the 2002 loaded. I could have had 2003 all
| this time if I had known it was about to be released. Now nothing
| has been out since then, and I don't want to make the same mistake.
| I can wait till summer if I need to. Also I have a class that does
| the school website on Frontpage 2002, and we just got new computers
| yesterday that came with Office 2003, (but the superintendent didn't
| realize he needed to include Frontpage for us). I can get new
| software, but will I would like to know if I should wait for the next
| version. I heard a bit about "expression" I think, but can't tell if
| that's something we want. We want easy to use stuff for beginner
| students with lots of easy push button design options so we can get
| our page up and running fast and still looking nice. Anyway, I need
| a little more info before going to the superintendent to tell him
| what I want, and when.

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

Word MVP Shauna Kelly has assembled a collection of links on her
website to the publicly available information about Office 12.
See http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/Office12/index.html .

 

[Kitty DeBock]

wow, thanks for the quick response. Can I also ask, is this true for
Frontpage as well? (being released in late 2006?)

 

[Kitty DeBock]

thank you all very much. very helpful.