Comments on: Office 2008: Goodbye iWork? http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/ The Apple Blog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:59:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Zhenlei Cai http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-116445 Zhenlei Cai Mon, 05 May 2008 23:08:56 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-116445 I don't want to be screwed again by M$. Bought Office 2004 3 years ago, the same key won't install once I changed hard drive. Spent $10 and got a new key from M$, that key again failed to work when I need to reinstall due to upgrading to Leopard. Called M$ this morning they disconnected me while transfering to their "Install Support" department. F M$! I don’t want to be screwed again by M$. Bought Office 2004 3 years ago, the same key won’t install once I changed hard drive. Spent $10 and got a new key from M$, that key again failed to work when I need to reinstall due to upgrading to Leopard. Called M$ this morning they disconnected me while transfering to their “Install Support” department. F M$!

]]> By: FreeRange http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-116215 FreeRange Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:31:34 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-116215 What are you people talking about, Office 2008 for the Mac SUCKS!!!!!! Spellcheck doesn't work in my PPT, and th bullet points in Word still have the same bug they've always had - one bullet will go bold and you can't get it to change even though you've un-bolded everything, you know the one. How the h_ll can this bug still be in there after all these years and versions - this bloatwear still sucks the big one!!!! What are you people talking about, Office 2008 for the Mac SUCKS!!!!!! Spellcheck doesn’t work in my PPT, and th bullet points in Word still have the same bug they’ve always had - one bullet will go bold and you can’t get it to change even though you’ve un-bolded everything, you know the one. How the h_ll can this bug still be in there after all these years and versions - this bloatwear still sucks the big one!!!!

]]> By: Martin http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-115278 Martin Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:56:43 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-115278 Unfortunately, people at work (university) needs MS Office installed. Granted, they could use neoOffice instead, but these people are a stagnant bunch. However, I install iWork 08 at all the new macs anyway, since the cost is miniscule - we pay approx 11 euro for iWork, but 110 euro for office 2008. No-one in their right mind could say that it is 10 times better, though. I'm hoping that some users will find the benefits in using Keynote over PP over time. Unfortunately, people at work (university) needs MS Office installed. Granted, they could use neoOffice instead, but these people are a stagnant bunch. However, I install iWork 08 at all the new macs anyway, since the cost is miniscule - we pay approx 11 euro for iWork, but 110 euro for office 2008. No-one in their right mind could say that it is 10 times better, though. I’m hoping that some users will find the benefits in using Keynote over PP over time.

]]> By: jonmex http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-111048 jonmex Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:37:01 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-111048 I will remain Microsoft free on my Mac systems. iWork 08 is fine and easier (for me) to use than all MS OFFICE apps. I will remain Microsoft free on my Mac systems.
iWork 08 is fine and easier (for me) to use than all MS OFFICE apps.

]]> By: Terrin http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-110077 Terrin Fri, 21 Sep 2007 03:22:32 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-110077 I use Office for the Mac for one reason. Compatibility. With Office 2008, Microsoft broke compatibility by taking away support for Macros. This kills the essential purpose of Office for the Mac, to maintain compatibility across platforms. Macs will now have a hard time making inroads into the corporate world. If you are only looking for an application that is Mac like, surely there are better options then Office. Macs users would be better served to have Microsoft merely port the Windows version of Office to the Mac. Being Mac like is less important then feature parity. I use Office for the Mac for one reason. Compatibility. With Office 2008, Microsoft broke compatibility by taking away support for Macros. This kills the essential purpose of Office for the Mac, to maintain compatibility across platforms. Macs will now have a hard time making inroads into the corporate world. If you are only looking for an application that is Mac like, surely there are better options then Office. Macs users would be better served to have Microsoft merely port the Windows version of Office to the Mac. Being Mac like is less important then feature parity.

]]> By: Richard http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-108398 Richard Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:51:20 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-108398 Anytime you talk Microsoft there are a couple of things you have to keep in mind. First, Microsoft holds the lion’s share of the OS market (by way of Windows) not because they have a superior product, but due to a business decision by Apple, over thirty years ago, not to allow cloning. This lead to a ever escalating level of competition in the IBM base PC market, which in turn lead to steadily declining prices, and quality, the two go hand in hand. The vast majority of personal computers in the world are used essentially as toys, and thus, the cheaper the better and that is all the average consumer looks at, price. Microsoft has maintained their market share, not by delivering a ever improving product, but buy crushing anyone who dares try and compete with them and diligently working to insure there products will interface with as little as possible. This effectively forces people to use their products. The reality is that Microsoft products, in all their incarnations, are some of the worst on the planet and their customer service is as equally dismal. If you have any doubts about this consider that there is a multimillion-dollar industry, commonly referred to as IT, that exists due to the flaws in Windows and other MS products. The problem is that MS have done such a good job of crushing the competition with lawsuits and money there are few choices available and very few consumers are aware of just how bad MS products are. Microsoft is the poster child for the corrupt, greedy, socially degenerate, corporation and I for one will do whatever I can to not support it. Anytime you talk Microsoft there are a couple of things you have to keep in mind. First, Microsoft holds the lion’s share of the OS market (by way of Windows) not because they have a superior product, but due to a business decision by Apple, over thirty years ago, not to allow cloning. This lead to a ever escalating level of competition in the IBM base PC market, which in turn lead to steadily declining prices, and quality, the two go hand in hand. The vast majority of personal computers in the world are used essentially as toys, and thus, the cheaper the better and that is all the average consumer looks at, price. Microsoft has maintained their market share, not by delivering a ever improving product, but buy crushing anyone who dares try and compete with them and diligently working to insure there products will interface with as little as possible. This effectively forces people to use their products.
The reality is that Microsoft products, in all their incarnations, are some of the worst on the planet and their customer service is as equally dismal. If you have any doubts about this consider that there is a multimillion-dollar industry, commonly referred to as IT, that exists due to the flaws in Windows and other MS products. The problem is that MS have done such a good job of crushing the competition with lawsuits and money there are few choices available and very few consumers are aware of just how bad MS products are.
Microsoft is the poster child for the corrupt, greedy, socially degenerate, corporation and I for one will do whatever I can to not support it.

]]> By: Eric http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-106018 Eric Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:29:36 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-106018 Help I have just bought a new mac. WOW! I am looking for a compatible office suite- primarily with Word. Is compatibility an issue between Iworks and Office? i would like to go completely mac. My needs? Academic and small business and I don't need many bells and whistles. Can I make this work using iworks? Or do the big bucks need to be spent for office? Again the primary issue is compatibility. I am aware that microsoft AND apple are about to release new versions of their programs. Suggestions? Help

I have just bought a new mac. WOW!

I am looking for a compatible office suite- primarily with Word. Is compatibility an issue between Iworks and Office?

i would like to go completely mac. My needs? Academic and small business and I don’t need many bells and whistles. Can I make this work using iworks? Or do the big bucks need to be spent for office? Again the primary issue is compatibility.

I am aware that microsoft AND apple are about to release new versions of their programs.
Suggestions?

]]> By: Jon http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103663 Jon Tue, 03 Apr 2007 17:03:27 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103663 For home users and some work users, OpenOffice/NeoOffice/iWork may be fine, but for my work (editing a technical magazine) MS Office is essential. I tried Open Office (X11) on my Mac; however, despite great efforts by the developers, OO is not 100% compatible with the many, many Word documents I receive and deal with every day. I found myself alternating between OpenOffice and Pages to try to get my work done, and I still couldn't do it. And OpenOffice has three or four bugs -- minor, but real -- that irk me. For example, when doing a spell check, I tell OO to ignore a certain technical word, but it continues to find it again and again. And, because many people put two spaces between sentences and I require just one space, I have to do a search and replace; but about half the time, OO replaces two spaces with NO spaces! But now I have Word, and all is fine. For home users and some work users, OpenOffice/NeoOffice/iWork may be fine, but for my work (editing a technical magazine) MS Office is essential. I tried Open Office (X11) on my Mac; however, despite great efforts by the developers, OO is not 100% compatible with the many, many Word documents I receive and deal with every day. I found myself alternating between OpenOffice and Pages to try to get my work done, and I still couldn’t do it.

And OpenOffice has three or four bugs — minor, but real — that irk me. For example, when doing a spell check, I tell OO to ignore a certain technical word, but it continues to find it again and again. And, because many people put two spaces between sentences and I require just one space, I have to do a search and replace; but about half the time, OO replaces two spaces with NO spaces!

But now I have Word, and all is fine.

]]> By: mark http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103585 mark Sat, 31 Mar 2007 17:56:41 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103585 We're an incoming tour operator based in Chile and we use pages on all our Macs. What's so great about it? I've created templates of all the different products or tailormade tours we present to our clients, with logos, nice color layout, placeholders for photos, etc.. In just a few minutes anyone in the office can personalize the whole tour-presentation by sliding the corresponding photos from the multimedia column, insert new text, format it in a few second, and export an optimized protected pdf file (three choice of export qualities) that we can then send to our future client. Try that with Word!!! I'm hoping that the coming Pages 3 will enhance these possibilities. For example, it would be great if we could have a noteholder in which we could store chunks of text that we use very often (list of hotels for example with active links to their respective websites...). This is a VERY useful product... for us. Cheers to all. Mark We’re an incoming tour operator based in Chile and we use pages on all our Macs. What’s so great about it?
I’ve created templates of all the different products or tailormade tours we present to our clients, with logos, nice color layout, placeholders for photos, etc..
In just a few minutes anyone in the office can personalize the whole tour-presentation by sliding the corresponding photos from the multimedia column, insert new text, format it in a few second, and export an optimized protected pdf file (three choice of export qualities) that we can then send to our future client.
Try that with Word!!!
I’m hoping that the coming Pages 3 will enhance these possibilities. For example, it would be great if we could have a noteholder in which we could store chunks of text that we use very often (list of hotels for example with active links to their respective websites…).
This is a VERY useful product… for us. Cheers to all. Mark

]]> By: EB http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103355 EB Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:21:00 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103355 when does the new Keynote/iWork arrive? Any when does the new Keynote/iWork arrive? Any

]]> By: Eric http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103055 Eric Mon, 19 Mar 2007 07:44:21 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-103055 I can see using Pages and Keynote for getting things done quicker and more simply, as I don't really run Word the way I used to, and I never really did like PowerPoint much. But I've tried over and over again to use anything else but Entourage (it's about 90% of the way where I want it to be), but I still come back to it again and again. Hopefully this new iteration will get Entourage 95-98% of where I want it (integration of Spotlight, etc.). I assume no app will be exactly as I wish, but Entourage is one of the few that gets close. I can see using Pages and Keynote for getting things done quicker and more simply, as I don’t really run Word the way I used to, and I never really did like PowerPoint much. But I’ve tried over and over again to use anything else but Entourage (it’s about 90% of the way where I want it to be), but I still come back to it again and again. Hopefully this new iteration will get Entourage 95-98% of where I want it (integration of Spotlight, etc.). I assume no app will be exactly as I wish, but Entourage is one of the few that gets close.

]]> By: GUY http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-102782 GUY Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:49:38 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-102782 Any word on a beta version?? or even a link for a alpha :) Thanks Any word on a beta version?? or even a link for a alpha

:)

Thanks

]]> By: James Lloyd http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-102049 James Lloyd Sat, 17 Feb 2007 11:46:52 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-102049 You have to be kidding me right? iWork costs almost nothing, is fantastic to use and already does everything many people would want to do... AND it gives <b>amazing results</b> in a very short space of time. I have both but I've stopped using most of Office. I no longer see any point in upgrading or paying for it again. You have to be kidding me right? iWork costs almost nothing, is fantastic to use and already does everything many people would want to do… AND it gives amazing results in a very short space of time.

I have both but I’ve stopped using most of Office. I no longer see any point in upgrading or paying for it again.

]]> By: Marcus Tempte http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101544 Marcus Tempte Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:21:54 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101544 Captain Morgan - I fully agree, there is no point without the PC sharing capabilities; everyone is talking about open standard but it still seems difficult to share the business apps. I am forced to run parallels with XP and Office in order to still use my PST file, which is a shame. Captain Morgan - I fully agree, there is no point without the PC sharing capabilities; everyone is talking about open standard but it still seems difficult to share the business apps.
I am forced to run parallels with XP and Office in order to still use my PST file, which is a shame.

]]> By: Captain Morgan http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101517 Captain Morgan Tue, 06 Feb 2007 06:40:52 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101517 The only thing I hope for is better integration with Exchange. I'll be damned if I'm updating our department Macs only to find out that their just as crippled as Office 2004 when dealing with shared calendars, tasks, public folders and the like on an Exchange server. The other thing that gets me is: what good is the Project Center when you can't share projects with PC users in your department? The only thing I hope for is better integration with Exchange. I’ll be damned if I’m updating our department Macs only to find out that their just as crippled as Office 2004 when dealing with shared calendars, tasks, public folders and the like on an Exchange server. The other thing that gets me is: what good is the Project Center when you can’t share projects with PC users in your department?

]]> By: Jesse http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101425 Jesse Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:05:02 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101425 Iwork '07: goodbye Office 2008 Iwork ‘07: goodbye Office 2008

]]> By: Marcus Tempte http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101051 Marcus Tempte Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:18:01 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-101051 Can anyone tell me why it is not possible to convert the PST file from Office 2003 or 2007 to Office for Mac (either 2004 or 2008). The biggest usage for me and the company is Outlook and I would love to be able to convert fully to Mac but I dont know how to convert the PST file to be able to use it on Mac. Does anyone know if it will be possible to convert an office 2007 PST file to Entourage in Office 2008? Can anyone tell me why it is not possible to convert the PST file from Office 2003 or 2007 to Office for Mac (either 2004 or 2008). The biggest usage for me and the company is Outlook and I would love to be able to convert fully to Mac but I dont know how to convert the PST file to be able to use it on Mac. Does anyone know if it will be possible to convert an office 2007 PST file to Entourage in Office 2008?

]]> By: Clair http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-100097 Clair Thu, 25 Jan 2007 06:01:08 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-100097 Long awaited OpenXML? It has been a while since I about this new format, but I hope they've progressed further than they had. OpenXML is a misleading term. I'll stick with ODF if I can when it comes to file standards. However, I do enjoy using Pages over using Word. I hope Apple doesn't get rid of it. Long awaited OpenXML? It has been a while since I about this new format, but I hope they’ve progressed further than they had. OpenXML is a misleading term. I’ll stick with ODF if I can when it comes to file standards.

However, I do enjoy using Pages over using Word. I hope Apple doesn’t get rid of it.

]]> By: Lucky13 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-100019 Lucky13 Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:08:37 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-100019 >>How about you business types out there? Anyone forced into using Office but longing for iWork?>> ...not forced. I'm self-employed. I choose to run Office. Pages is OK and could serve my needs but Office is so much more. I've no use for Keynote or Powerpoint. Frankly, if not for Office 2004, I probably wouldn't be using a Mac right now. Everything that I really need to do with a computer can be done within a single package offering a unified, consistent interface. Excel stands alone and I find Entourage much more useful than any jumbled mix of Mail/iCal/Address Book/Stickies... I took a peek at those free alternatives but they seemed like little more than cheap knock-offs of the real thing. Aren't they just that - a copy of Microsoft Office? Hasn't Bill Gates and Company been constantly accused of similar behavior? As for Office 2008, native Intel support would be a welcome addition. The current version, while quite functional, still lags somewhat compared to its use on my PowerPC machine. I just hope that any frivolous eye candy is kept in check. >>How about you business types out there? Anyone forced into using Office but longing for iWork?>>

…not forced. I’m self-employed. I choose to run Office. Pages is OK and could serve my needs but Office is so much more. I’ve no use for Keynote or Powerpoint.

Frankly, if not for Office 2004, I probably wouldn’t be using a Mac right now. Everything that I really need to do with a computer can be done within a single package offering a unified, consistent interface. Excel stands alone and I find Entourage much more useful than any jumbled mix of Mail/iCal/Address Book/Stickies…

I took a peek at those free alternatives but they seemed like little more than cheap knock-offs of the real thing. Aren’t they just that - a copy of Microsoft Office? Hasn’t Bill Gates and Company been constantly accused of similar behavior?

As for Office 2008, native Intel support would be a welcome addition. The current version, while quite functional, still lags somewhat compared to its use on my PowerPC machine. I just hope that any frivolous eye candy is kept in check.

]]> By: Kyle Korleski http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-99999 Kyle Korleski Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:35:50 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/22/office-2008-goodbye-iwork/#comment-99999 I hope Microsoft crashes and burns. This is why I recommend using OpenOffice.org or something similar. This way, we can get some decent games on the Mac. I hope Microsoft crashes and burns. This is why I recommend using OpenOffice.org or something similar. This way, we can get some decent games on the Mac.

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