[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Report: Companies Use Word out of Habit, Not Necessity here

[JimH443]

This is the "Vista trickle down effect." It made people ask, "Do we really NEED Microsoft products on our system?"
I've been astonished that Open Office hasn't caught the world by storm.

[rohnski]

Along with the "vista" effect, there is the "Ribbon Issue". Office 2007 came with that new "Ribbon UI". In one fell swoop M$ discarded MY investment of time memorizing the the ole MENU UI. For many of us that was 15 to 20+ years of investment (yes time on Word for DOS counts because the Menu UI evolved from the DOS version.)
So now I think there are some people who face learning the Ribbon UI who are asking themselves if it isn't worth while to migrate to something else, as long as it can handle the Word DOC file structure.
I really can't imagine what was going through their alleged minds when the decided not to include a reverse compatible "Menu Tab". I know of at least 2 companies who offered one for sale within a month of Office 2007 GA.

[oregonnerd]

rohnski has it about right. The problem with the web-based alternatives are (well-founded) fears about security; the problem with finding a new word processor is both that and the simple problem of discrimination between the flashy, attractive, efficient, and widely-used. I'd say the collapse of an informational system is in full swing. It will be interesting to watch.
--Glenn

[RNR19952]

JimH443 and rohnski I agree 100%
No one that I know that has seen Office 2007 at first has liked it.
What I have found is that men just refuse it and make me find a copy of 2003 to put on, Women get used to it and then say they like it. Who knows?
All I remember is that was the appeal to Windows, once you learned one interface the rest were basically the same. Over the years I have noticed other companies changing that interface too, sometimes they lose my business, sometimes your just forced to deal with it. Personally it is a lot easier to use programs of any type when the controls are basically the same. What if you were to borrow a friends car and instead of a steering wheel you had levers like a front end loader, learning curve.... yes... worth it, probably not...
dangerous with out proper training ...absolutely... OH and another gripe about Office 2007 is the file extension change what a PITA, having to change the default save type for all the new users, or install the converter for all existing users. Hey does anyone know how to change the file type to 97-2003 for all users at once?

[rohnski]

"office" (button) / Word Options (button on bottom of dialog) / Save (option) / Save files in this format: Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc)



This is the place to change the default file type option. This info is probably (I'm not positive because they've made extensive changes to where stuff is saved) saved in the NORMAL.DOT/NORMAL.DOTM, so if you made the change once, then copied the file to the new install that might do it.

On the other hand, it may be one of the settings that has been moved into the registry, like in other windoze programs (NORMAL.DOT/DOTM is a hold-over from the DOS days). By default NORMAL.DOT is no longer installed. As I understand, it doesn't get created until it is needed to save a specific configuration change from default.

These articles may help (a tiny bit):

http://technet.micro...y/bb490141.aspx

http://support.micro...2530&sid=global

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924460





Off topic, this page:

http://office.micros...2295841033.aspx

has some tools I've found REALLY handy. A flash tool (a separate one for each "Ribbonified"/"Ribboned"/"Shredded to Ribbons"... Office App) that allows you to select a 2003 menu command, then it animates to shw you where it is in the Ribbon UI. And the spreadsheets with commands are handy too. There is an online version of the flash tool, but personally I prefer to run the download version (don't have to worry about possible internet traffic slowdowns)

M$ also has a free downloadable addin "Getting Started" tab with links to various free online training tools:

http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en

[RNR19952]

Thanks for the info, but that will only change it for the current user.
What we need is something that will change it for all users. Or I guess we are stuck with making a default user profile?? I will look at the other articles as soon as I get a minute...thanks again RNR