Office
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Details on Microsoft Office 2007 for the Mac
APC Magazine had a chance to sit down and snag some juicy details from Mary Starman, group product manager for the MacBU, on the next version of Microsoft Office for the Mac. Probably the most significant change will be a UI redux (while still accounting for Apple's UI guidelines), borrowing from the controversial new 'ribbon' UI Microsoft is introducing in Office 12 for Windows (if you want a rundown on the new Office for Windows UI, check out Download Squad's killer video review, but remember - that isn't exactly what we'll be getting). For standards buffs, the new versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint are adopting the new native XML file format.The next version of Office for the Mac will, of course, be a Universal Binary, and Mary referred to that alone as a big milestone for the team, as they cited many of the same major challenges as Adobe in updating a lot of really, really old code for Apple's Xcode. This challenge, however, is one of the reasons we aren't going to see a new version of Office for the Mac until sometime between July and September of 2007 - as long as everything stays on track.For more details, check out APC Magazine's interview with Mary for more details on what to expect in this major Office update.
NeoOffice 2.0 Aqua Beta released with Early Access Program
NeoOffice, everyone's favorite implementation of OpenOffice in java, has released a v.2 beta of their suite with a new and improved Aqua-friendly interface. This new version is based on a recent version of OpenOffice (2.0.3), which includes apps for word processing, databases, spreadsheets, drawing and presenting. NeoOffice, however, offers advantages over running OpenOffice on Mac OS X because it doesn't need the X11 Unix environment to run. Moreover, NeoOffice can integrate with the Finder and Mail, which was probably one of the winning attributes that warranted the 'Aqua' addition to the name.The Early Access Program is, in my opinion, a really cool and clever way to bring in some money for the project's hard work (after all, this entire project is made up of volunteers, and somebody's gotta pay the bills). From now until the 14th of August, users can download a copy of 2.0 Aqua for a mere $25. From August 15th through 29th, the price drops to $10. After that, it goes back to free like it's always been. NeoOffice is also selling Early Access subscriptions for $60, which will offer (what else) early access privileges throughout the course of NeoOffice 2.x releases.I personally haven't tried a copy yet (I already - unfortunately - sunk money into Office 2004), but I'm willing to bet with some of the java benchmarks we've seen on Intel Macs, this suite will run pretty well if you have Intel inside. This sounds like a good a case as any to grab a copy early and help support a great project.[via MacNN]
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.2.5 Update
Microsoft released a patch for Office 2004 for Mac today which, 'fixes vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code. This update also fixes issues in Microsoft Entourage 2004 for Mac and includes all of the improvements released in all previous Office 2004 updates.'If you're using Entourage with an Exchange account like I am (don't judge me!) be sure to read all the directions as this update may cause some data loss if not installed correctly.
Microsoft updates Office 2004
Attention Office 2004 users (worry not, there is no shame in using Office), Microsoft has released an update for their venerable Office suite. The Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.2.4 Update fixes some vulnerabilities in Office and addresses some issues with PowerPoint and Entourage.This updater is free, and it includes all previous updates for Office 2004 for Mac.Thanks, Jeff.
Who needs an Intel Mac? Sign me up for a PowerPC G6 Macintosh
Intel Macs are so yesterday. I'm all about the "PowerPC G6 Macintosh," and it's only $499 to boot!Engadget found a company (who might have already been threatened/litigated out of existence by the time you read this) by the name of Red PC who is selling a computer they call the "PowerPC G6 Macintosh." But wait - in addition to getting a supposedly next-gen PPC cloned Mac - there's more! Included in their Apple-defying price of $499 (along with this gorgeous case) is a hacked version of Mac OS X (it's reportedly a Pentium-based machine), Microsoft Office 2004 and - drumroll please - Photoshop CS2!Nothing says "I'm feeling suicidal" like stepping on the toes of three of the largest players in the computer and software industries.
Book: Discovering Automator
Discovering Automator is a new book from Hanaan Rosenthal that delves into the many facets of making your Mac do more work in less time for you with the power of Mac OS X Tiger's Automator. From Automator World's description, Discovering Automator details "the ins-and-outs of Automator: basic workflow construction, deployment, debugging and advanced topics such as creating shell scripts, Applescripts and plug-ins." The book also comes with over 70 Automator actions, including many requested actions for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.Discovering Automator sells for $14.99 at Amazon.com, but if you'd like a taste, you can download both a sample chapter and the table of contents at Hanaan's site.[via Automator World]
MacTech benchmarks Office 2004 on Rosetta
MacTech has published what I am fairly certain are the comprehensive Office 2004 on Rosetta test results for Intel Macs. Honestly, there is so much literature and testing in this article that I simply skimmed most of it and skipped ahead to the conclusion: "in general, Office 2004 under Rosetta works "well enough" to "very well," and in some cases, it's even faster than on the PowerPC baseline machine." Having recently acquired a MacBook Pro, I have to agree. However, I think Word has a slightly longer startup time than on my previous PowerBook, but I would attribute that to Rosetta having to work some magic in the background.Don't take my word though: check out MacTech's article for more than you'd ever want to know about how well Office 2004 will perform on Intel Macs.[via MacMinute]
Nintendo's got a new backend
Gamasutra reports that Nintendo HQ has adopted a new software management solution in Aldon Lifecycle Manager. What this new program allows the bigwigs over in Washington to do is maintain a high level of awareness throughout different development projects (such as all upcoming Revolution titles) as they go through their lifecycles. Now, apparently, it won't be the impossibly difficult task of walking over to the development area and asking the Project Lead where they're at currently. It's now only a mouse click away. Let's hope it helps those at Nintendo who've been having problems with their TPS reports, also.
Microsoft giving away $10K in Mac stuff
Check out the Microsoft Office for Mac Spring Cleaning Sweepstakes. You could win a prize package including a tricked out MacBook Pro, a Apple Cinema display, a Herman Miller Aeron Chair and a whole slew of other bits. Who says Microsoft doesn't like Mac and Mac users? Still no Universal Binary version of Office, though... [via Digg]
iWork just helps bring AppleWorks customers into 20th century
Since iWork 06 was clearly the 5th wheel of yesterday's keynote, I'd throw money down that it is (unofficially) nothing more than a 20th (note: not 21st) century version of AppleWorks just to give those who still use it something OS X-ish to switch to. I would also bet that Apple is sick of supporting that old horse and could simply be using iWork to help put it out to pasture.If you watch yesterday's keynote, iWork 06 gets a mention on stage but almost immediately a "well we don't have time for it now, but you can check it out on the web" from his Steveness.Um, what? You're going to mention this software you introduced barely a year ago but then promptly drop-kick it off stage? And where is Numbers, one of the supposed missing links that could propel iWork into the "useful" category of so many users software toolbelts?Given this year's "we barely care" treatment of iWork, I think it's safe to say that Apple really isn't planning on stacking it up against Office. At least, not anytime soon.
Microsoft promises 5 years of Office development
During today's keynote, Jobs brought a Microsoft rep up on stage who announced a promise to develop Office for OS X for another five years (make of that what you will). They also announced that a new version of Office as a universal binary will be available later this Spring (March I believe), and that a Rosetta-optimized version would be available either today or very soon from Mactopia.
Apple Store 50% Office discount ends 1/31/06
MacMerc caught that the Apple Store's "up to 50% discount on Microsoft Office" promo disappears at the end of this month. The basic rundown is:Buy a new MacBuy Office for Mac or individual apps such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint from select retailersMail in rebate (PDF link)ProfitThe rebate form states you can take advantage of this offer on up to 4 Mac Office combinations, but all eligible items need to be on the same receipt - and what a receipt that will be! One quirky thing about the rebate is that it includes a two-question survey. The first is "Prior to this offer, were you aware that Microsoft Office runs on a Mac?" while the second asks if you would still be buying Office or even a Mac if it weren't for this offer. I guess Apple is checking in on just how vital Office is to Mac users. Preparation for a new run with a (hopefully) updated iWork '06? In a mere five days we'll hopefully have an answer.
Planamesa Software offers OS X version of OpenOffice
Planamesa Software has released a Mac OS X-native version of the OpenOffice.org office suite, under the name of NeoOffice/J 1.1. This Mac-native version features a Spotlight plugin, a double-click installer, drag & drop support and more. As a fully open project released under the GNU General Public License, updates are frequent and free for the taking. NeoOffice requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later.My brother-in-law has been running OpenOffice for years now, and swears he's had minimal compatability issues, with both his Mac and Windows using contacts. If the idea of a free, open source alternative to Microsoft's Office appeals to you, check out NeoOffice.
