[mso] Re: Office 2003 Launch in NYC - an OT grumble :VSMail mx3
- From: "Anne Robson" <anne.robson2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2003 09:15:54 -0000
Hi Dian
Thanks for your input on this which is as ever illuminating and fair.
With respect, though, this still doesn't address the issue of differential
pricing from one country to another. Are you seriously trying to say that
the costed amount of work needed to make Word (predominately) country
specific to the English-UK market is more than doing so for India? Yet as
Ian said yesterday he can get a free upgrade from Office 2002 whereas I
will get stung for over $420 to *improve* something that is only 6 months
old on my office system.
And yes, OBVIOUSLY for large companies who need to keep pace with changes
and enhancements there is a case for saying they should go along with the
upgrades. But why can't small BUSINESS (not just home) users obtain
low-cost plug-in upgrades to cover the features they need? I would feel
happier, for instance, knowing I had upgraded Word and Excel to make them
better/faster/more appropriate to my needs on a modular cost basis than
having paid out for something that perhaps contains substantial
improvements to - say - Access which I hardly use but which is part of the
Office Suite I've purchased. Integration is all very well but too often
it just masquerades as another way to fleece the customer base out of
their hard-earned cash.
It's a bit like Sunday newspapers in the UK - I've never known anybody who
reads all the different sections and I for one would love to be able to
buy an edition that ditches the gardening, sport, and other bits I'm not
interested in and keep the colour magazines and motoring sections!
Anne
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf
> Of Ian Elliott
> Sent: 27 October 2003 11:43
> To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [mso] Re: Office 2003 Launch in NYC - an OT grumble
>
>
> I live in India, I just bought XP Office professional (2002) for the
> equivalent of $380.00 and it included a voucher for a free upgrade on
CD
> to 2003! This is an original one from Microsoft and sounded to me like
a
> good deal! I will let you know if there are any hitches with the 2003
> upgrade discs! Regards
>
> Ian Elliott
-----Original Message-----
From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Dian Chapman
Sent: 28 October 2003 05:45
To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mso] Re: Office 2003 Launch in NYC - an OT grumble :VSMail mx3
>I agree whole-heartedly. I find it ridiculous that M$ upgrades all the
applications enough so that the format is slightly different and only
makes major changes to one application and then expects you to shell out
the big money for the who suite since they don't play so nicely with older
versions.
One thing you need to understand...if you look at each app on their own,
it MAY SEEM that not much was done to the suite/apps. But the WHOLE STORY
is in the larger picture. The fact that all the new servers have been
added/improved to create an overall better "system" of communications,
etc. And yes...it's geared more toward the corporation/business user and
how folks work in an office. After all...for the single home user who
doesn't have/need servers, then it's a lot of pay for SOME changes. But
the incorporation of XML is a big step. But then...if you don't SEE that
or plan to use XML...then Word doesn't look like it's changed much.
In truth...2003 has several BIG improvements, enhancements and additions
that will make the overall package a lot better for communications,
workgroups collaboration, meetings, document automation and lots of things
that will save companies tons of man-hours overall. So understand that the
small/individual user might not notice much has been done. But the
corporation who takes advantage of all this new technology can save
millions.
>Why can't a Word doc created in 2000 be opened in 97?
Because as technology improves, so does the way of doing things and "old
ideas and old technology" are let go for the better improvements. 97
wasn't a very good version. Why limit 2000 users and force them to NOT
improve what they can do for the sake of those who are using older
technology?
How many folks really card whether they can open a 2000 doc in 97? Not
many. So why base all your new product on a small percentage of folks? You
can't! Not if you plan to remain competitive! And as a developer, we can
tell you it's hard to deal with old technology. Why do you think Greg
doesn't bother to develop utilities that work in 97? Cos' 97 didn't have
all the easier objects to use that 2000+ does. Why should he kill himself
to make a product work for a few...when he can make several that work for
many?
It's just not practical and you just can't please everyone.
>application I don't use.
If you don't use them...why would you want to buy them????
Dian D. Chapman
Technical Consultant,
Microsoft MVP & Instructor
Free Tutorials: www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word Tips & Tricks eBook: www.mousetrax.com/books.html Learn VBA the
easy way, thru video! www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html
-----Original Message-----
From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of James LaBorde
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 6:18 PM
To: 'mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: [mso] Re: Office 2003 Launch in NYC - an OT grumble :VSMail mx3
Linda and Anne,
I agree whole-heartedly. I find it ridiculous that M$ upgrades all the
applications enough so that the format is slightly different and only
makes major changes to one application and then expects you to shell out
the big money for the who suite since they don't play so nicely with older
versions. Why can't a Word doc created in 2000 be opened in 97? Were
there that many changes? Why not just warn the user some features may not
be available? We aren't a huge organization but having to shell out for
70+ copies of the suite is a huge blow to the bottom line. Then you throw
in the soft costs of all the updates required on the new suite because
they couldn't get it right BEFORE releasing it. (Why doesn't M$ higher a
few hackers to try to break the code and discover at least some of these
security holes before they release a version of an OS or Office suite?)
Sorry for the rant, I just can't see spending all the money for
improvements in an application I don't use.
James
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda F. Johnson [mailto:linda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 5:27 AM
To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mso] Re: Office 2003 Launch in NYC - an OT grumble :VSMail mx3
<< It's about time MS started thinking about loyalty bonuses for clients
who've stayed with them and increased Microsoft's profit base at the
expense of their own liquidity.>>
Here, Here, Anne...I totally agree!! As a small company of one employee
(little ol' me), who HAS to stay current with all the latest versions, I
completely agree that it's about time Microsoft recognized those of us who
have been buying every version of everything they have!!
Linda F. Johnson, M.A., MOS
Linda's Computer Stop
http://personal-computer-tutor.com
Free e-Books, Newsletter, and tutorials
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