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redman042
11/18/09

In reply to Microsoft Office 2010 Beta Is Now Available
The ribbon would be far easier to get used to if they added a "quick search" feature like they have in the Start menu on Win Vista and Win 7. Imagine if you couldn't remember where the "show header and footer" command was, but you could just start typing "header..." and get quickly taken to the command.
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SigmundTheSeaMonster
11/18/09

In reply to Microsoft Office 2010 Beta Is Now Available
..if its the best selling software...why does it need a new version! /sarcasm
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Edited by SigmundTheSeaMonster at 11/18/09 12:02 PM

Noobs-R-Us
11/18/09

In reply to Microsoft Office 2010 Beta Is Now Available
I hate ribbons! Whoever came up with that at MSFT should be shot.
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FezDaStanza
11/18/09

@Noobs-R-Us: I think the ribbon is the most productive thing Microsoft has ever done (thats original, atleast). For me it made word as, if not more, powerful than Publisher in design and the formatting options (so easy to use) make everything stunning.
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Noobs-R-Us
11/18/09

@FezDaStanza: Holy crap! You're the first person I have ever heard say that they actually like ribbon. R u sure you're not a MSFT employee?I can't find seem to find the functions that I want with it buried in different boxes.
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SnusBeorn
11/18/09

@Noobs-R-Us: I guess I'll be the second person then, because it's difficult for me to imagine a scenario in which I'd willingly return to using the old (IMO clunky and non-intuitive) menu system. I've been using the 2010 technical preview for a few months now, and despite the glitches that remain in Outlook, the same is true for the ribbon implementation in that part of the suite. And in Excel and PowerPoint for that matter.
I use this software a lot (every day, except for PowerPoint, which is more like once every couple of weeks), and the ribbon has not only made my usual tasks easier to perform, it's also allowed me to make regular use of features that I'd either forgotten about, didn't know how to use, or didn't even realize were there. With the ribbon I find it easier to apply conditional formatting to cells in Excel, for example, or to create a table of contents in Word, or even to access EndNote commands when I'm compiling research citations. The addition of Quick Steps to the Outlook 2010 ribbon is also extremely handy--I can apply a complex set of rules and actions to a message that I'm reading by clicking a button I've created on the ribbon. I have one button and a keyboard shortcut to email all of my students (I'm a college instructor), others to email all students in an individual course or section, and another that opens up a reply to the current message, then categorizes and sorts the original.

And no--I have no stake whatsoever in Microsoft's success (or failure), except as an end user of their products. I just really like the ribbon interface.
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Noobs-R-Us
11/18/09

@SnusBeorn: I guess I'm the only one here it seems. Weird.

I guess am I the only one who hates the new Fred Flintstone start menu when it transitioned in XP? I've been running every OS after that with the classic start menu so it looks more like the 2000.

Am I wrong to assume that if you like the ribbon that you also like the new Flintstone menus?
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SnusBeorn
11/18/09

@Noobs-R-Us: I'm not sure what you mean by "Flintstone" but you could probably call me indifferent about the Start menu. In general, I prefer clean and shiny to cluttered and grey, but I don't experience a significant difference in usability with the Start menu set either way. And while the new menu may be "shiny" it doesn't really meet my definition of "clean" looking.

FWIW, you are far from the only person who likes the old menus better. The #1 thread on the 2010 technical preview discussion board has been made up largely of posts asking for a way to revert to the old system--and it's been that way for months. So far, MS has categorically refused to provide such an option, pointing out that the endeavor would make Office much larger than it already is, would likely require reworking parts of the ribbon interface, and would duplicate functionality already available from third-party software companies.
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crackel
11/19/09

@Noobs-R-Us: Microsoft did not invent the ribbon. [kdedevelopers.org]
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Noobs-R-Us
11/19/09

@SnusBeorn: Flintstones, as in big, chunky, kindergarten looking icons. Makes me feel like someone who rides the small bus to school and not a wall street exec.
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Edited by Noobs-R-Us at 11/19/09 10:05 AM Noobs-R-Us was starred Noobs-R-Us was unstarred

whiteknight89 still plays DiabloII
09/04/09

In reply to Microsoft Word Ban Postponed, Stays on Shelves for Back to School
You really Excel at closing write-ups with clever endings, Mr. Allen. I was wondering, since you have such writing prowess, if you could help me find a Publisher for my new book. Its about how having a positive Outlook can help grant Access to untold millions, and help you find your Groove in life. I have been keeping OneNote here, and one note there, but I will pull it together soon. I just need to focus on my Project, learn some more Accounting, and buy a new Communicator.

Thanks for your help, Mr. Allen. I do appreciate from the bottom of my Microsoft Office.

I mean heart. Damn, so close. ;)
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met2art
09/04/09

@whiteknight89 still plays DiabloII: Do you need an Illustrator for your book?
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PaddyDugan
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
What did we learn today? Texas is a Republic that can withdraw from the Union anytime. What say we all encourage them to do so at the earliest opportunity. Oswald/Enron/Bush/Patent Settlements for Sale. Go away, Texas!
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DeusExMach will still be strong after the boys of Summermodo have gone. promoted this comment PaddyDugan was starred PaddyDugan was unstarred

DeusExMach wonders what the hell happened to his star.
08/12/09

@PaddyDugan: If only they didn't have all that wonderful wonderful crude.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
08/12/09

@DeusExMach will still be strong after the boys...: I thought it was all about the bbq...
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PaddyDugan
08/12/09

@PaddyDugan: Dear Texas, I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. I will be your friend if you will give Calif. back all the $ you stole in the 90's.
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DeusExMach wonders what the hell happened to his star.
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days

Man, FUCK the police.
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LeeMarvinsPants
08/12/09

@DeusExMach will still be strong after the boys...:
"Word."
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DeusExMach will still be strong after the boys of Summermodo have gone. promoted this comment LeeMarvinsPants was starred LeeMarvinsPants was unstarred

MacAttack7388
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
If anything, they shouldn't be allowed to sell it because of monopolistic practices.
But this? -_-
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Delano_J
08/12/09

@MacAttack7388: Yes, selling stuff to willing customers is a monopoly. You're absolutely right, by gosh.
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met2art
08/12/09

@MacAttack7388: Idiots who cry "Monopoly!" at the first mention of a microsoft (or Apple) product, or lawsuit , absolutely crack me up. Likewise with collusion and anti-trust.

So few who actually complain about such practices can actually define the specifics that legitimately determine such corporate criminality.

The futher issue is that these same individuals are often unwittingly submitting to monopolistic or duopolistic business structures, yet fail to notice or mention it. Too often it's simply ire brought about by bias or unfounded criticism, usually instilled by media or other corporations.

I Suggest you do some learning (but don't hurt yourself) before making ignorant statements.
[en.wikipedia.org]
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FurySamurai72 promoted this comment Edited by met2art at 08/12/09 3:31 PM met2art was starred met2art was unstarred

UnderLoK
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
Their patent (No. 5,787,449) is for a document system that eliminated the need for manually embed formatting codes.

Basically they patented any change to XML which the user didn't have to initiate manually. A simplistic example would be when you start a new paragraph the first letter is caps by default (that isn't meant as a literal example).

The bottom line is that the patent is BS which should be obvious when a company from Toronto sues a company from Washington in Texas.
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Edited by UnderLoK at 08/12/09 10:33 AM UnderLoK was starred UnderLoK was unstarred

cpthook
08/12/09

@UnderLoK: The Eastern District of Texas is a notoriously plaintiff friendly district. People come from all over the world to file there. It's a complete joke (unless you're the plaintiff, in which case it's awesome).
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RJackson
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
Microsoft should just refuse and ignore whiny bitches like them.
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DeusExMach will still be strong after the boys of Summermodo have gone. promoted this comment MrBangBam approved this comment RJackson was starred RJackson was unstarred

DeusExMach wonders what the hell happened to his star.
08/12/09

@RJackson: Ignore whiney bitches like the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas?
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reddingofish
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
It's all a ploy to get older versions of Office off the shelves and off the worlds computers and forcing everyone to buy Office 2010.
It would not surprise me to login to my computer one day and Office was gone and a balloon popped up and said "We are sorry to inform you that your copy of Office 2007 has been removed from this system. Please go to store.microsoft.com to purchase the most recent version of Office 2010."
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SysRq
08/12/09

@reddingofish: Yes, this is all a stunt. It's really Microsoft behind the curtain, pulling all the strings, setting up fake trials and whatnot. Also, the moon landing was fake, the government puts nanobots in the water, and 9/11 was planned and carried out by the military in order to get support for a war in the middle east to get oil.
C'mon, grow up. I think your tinfoil hat is on a little tight.
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zmjjmz
08/12/09

@SysRq: Y'might want to recalibrate your sarcasm-radar a bit there.
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SysRq
08/12/09

@zmjjmz: C'mon, there's no way I could have missed sarcasm. ;) Seems you caught me, my mistake. I knew something rather ridiculous was going on here. Perhaps it's the nanobots in my brain.
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citizensmith: I may be stupid but:
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
But even notepad will open an XML file. Notepad++ even makes it pretty colors. Do I have to get rid of those too?
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MrCrash
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
Why did they wait this long? Office 2003 came out near the end of 2003, which means it took them over 5 years to figure out that their patented ideas had been infringed upon. I understand that Microsoft is a little company with a very small user base, and that of all their products, Office 2003 rated very low in acceptance, but COME ON! There should be a time limit to find and fight these kinds of things.
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holyspidoo
08/12/09

@MrCrash: Not only should there be time limits, but patents should be specific, not vague, and there should be a limited number of patents per company (spinoffs included). That way, it would stop companies patenting everything that exists, ever.
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SysRq promoted this comment holyspidoo was starred holyspidoo was unstarred

SysRq
08/12/09

@holyspidoo: *ahemappleahem*
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DeusExMach wonders what the hell happened to his star.
08/12/09

@holyspidoo: "oooh, sorry guys. You're just TOO innovative and/or good at acquiring companies with unique Intellectual Property. No new patents for Youuuuuu!"
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John Nahajski
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
lol the title was a little misleading, i read it as they will have to stop selling word altogether, but they just have to take the xml shiz out
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Jesus Diaz promoted this comment John Nahajski was starred John Nahajski was unstarred

Jesus Diaz
08/12/09

@John Nahajski: Obviously, your reading and comprehension skills are not up to its full potential in the mornings. The injunction IS against Microsoft Word. You can't take out the XML features.
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John Nahajski
08/12/09

@Jesus Diaz: "prohibits any sales, testing, and demonstration of any Word version containing the custom XML tagging feature" does that not mean they can't just go back to the old doc format? (p.s. it's 3pm here, i'm just an idiot)
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John Herrman
08/12/09

@John Nahajski: Yeah, modern Office wouldn't be Office without XML--it's the core of docx, for example--so it's pretty much a full injunction against Word. I would've though the whole suite would have been subject to the ruling.
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Maori_Yelir
08/12/09

@John Nahajski: It means that every copy on the shelves infringes on that but like hell they are going to listen to that. It's a bullshit ruling, they're just going to pay the fines that come from it and keep appealing.
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SysRq promoted this comment Edited by Maori_Yelir at 08/12/09 10:21 AM Maori_Yelir was starred Maori_Yelir was unstarred

Necoras
08/12/09

@John Nahajski: Office 2007's default saving format is .docx which is a custom xml file. Assuming this actually went through, this would cripple office. It won't happen, but if it did it would be a big deal.
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John Nahajski
08/12/09

ahhh i see, well my college and work all use 2003 so im used to using Doc files
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SysRq
08/12/09

@John Nahajski: And you will be able to continue to use .doc files after Microsoft appeals and pays a few fines. That's all this other company wants, is money. Odds are they'll get it and shut up.
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StupidSimple
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
Who gives a shit about DOCX, nobody can open that format anyway.
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Bigbadbikernerd
08/12/09

@StupidSimple: Anyone who uses Office and isn't stuck in 2000.
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StupidSimple
08/12/09

@Bigbadbikernerd: You can't force everyone to own an updated office software just to open a docx. Numerous times I requested people to save their files into a normal doc format just because of this.
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wishnias
08/12/09

In reply to Judge Orders Permanent Stop of Microsoft Word Sales Within 60 Days
is this that same bizarro court district that's been playing the vague tech patent lawsuit game for the last couple years?
I'm seriously tempted to apply for a patent for 'logical systematic arrangement of 1's and 0's for the purpose of doing computer stuff' and see who I can get a judgement against.
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UnderLoK promoted this comment wishnias was starred wishnias was unstarred

UnderLoK
08/12/09

@wishnias: Yes... That is why a Toronto based company is suing MS who is from Washington in Texas.
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Edited by UnderLoK at 08/12/09 10:23 AM UnderLoK was starred UnderLoK was unstarred

wishnias
08/12/09

@UnderLoK: hypothetical question: if the software was never used/sold in the state, would there then be no grounds on which to file suit there? I'm imagining a future where all tech firms boycott Texas just to avoid lawsuits. I hear they want to seceed anyway...
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Dr. Evil Genius
08/12/09

@wishnias: They have always wanted to secede. Why not do annoying things to hasten their departure?
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UnderLoK
08/12/09

@wishnias: They still could, yea. It's just that same damn court that likes to make headlines.

@Dr. Evil Genius: Texas, Florida, and Michigan all sleep together, but being from MI I sure as hell don't want to wind up being part of Ontario (no offense .ca, but our unemployment is bad enough).
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Edited by UnderLoK at 08/12/09 2:44 PM UnderLoK was starred UnderLoK was unstarred

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