[cliffr39]

too bad there isn't a way to make a bridge to run the windows version of Office 2003/2007 in Mac on the Intel systems (without parallels). Kind of like WINE for linux. Wonder how difficult it would be to create a "patch" to make it into a UB type program to install.
They did something similar for Unreal Tournament in linux if I remember correctly.

[griffman]

So I asked them about macros today, and the answers were not encouraging. For my existing library of spreadsheets with macros, the advice is to keep Office 2004 around when I need to use them, or convert them all to AppleScript-based solutions.
I then pointed out that I knew nothing of AppleScript, and that the Tools -> Record Macro capability had been invaluable in helping create my Excel macros. So I asked if there was a Tools -> Record AppleScript capability, and the answer was basically "we're not sure yet."
I asked about cross-platform offices with macro needs in spreadsheets and Word documents, and the rep agreed with my assessment that the best solution would be an Intel-powered Mac running Office for Vista/XP under Parallels.
In short, there is no reason whatsoever for me to consider purchasing the new version of Office. The old version runs just fine in Rosetta, and at least all my macros will continue to function.
-rob.

[griffman]

"As word processing goes which do you use griffman? If that is not too personal a question? Appleworks? NeoOffice? Office '04?"
Actually, I do most of my writing in Smultron or jEdit nowadays -- that's because my articles begin their existince on the web, and it's easiest to include the necssary HTML code in a pure text editor.
For reviews destined for print, we have a Word template that includes all of our key style definitions.
-rob.

[SPOOF]

Quote:

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Three Words:
FULL EXCHANGE CAPABILITY?????

That is all.

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This is the ONE thing that would make Office 2008 a must have for my clients and I.
It is the ONE thing that keeps about 10-12 government (and several large business divisions) that are clients from being able to switch to Mac like they want to.
I'm REALLY hoping that 10.5 server will allow for being integrated into exchange, not just replacement of all of exchanges features, as it would be possible to then use all of the Apple Apps and solutions, and just forget MS completely.
It is also good to know about NeoOffice supporting VB based macros in the near future. Perhaps it'll work a bit better than the almost working implementation in Office 2004 that was hit or miss for the few clients that ever used it.

[SPOOF]

Quote:

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"As word processing goes which do you use griffman? If that is not too personal a question? Appleworks? NeoOffice? Office '04?"
Actually, I do most of my writing in Smultron or jEdit nowadays -- that's because my articles begin their existince on the web, and it's easiest to include the necssary HTML code in a pure text editor.
For reviews destined for print, we have a Word template that includes all of our key style definitions.
-rob.

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Most of my stuff is straight text, or bound for web as well. I use BBEdit for almost everything, and if I need more than straight text, I usually go back to the last version of AppleWorks. It's just a LOT quicker and less clunky than Word if all I need is some formatting and printing. If others need to work with it, then it just turns into a pdf from there, which is what most of my clients get. Of course, all of the windows people still just use .doc files for absolutely everything, so Word is certainly still used plenty, but I really wouldn't miss it at all if it were gone, since most of these are simple enough to open fine in TextEdit or Pages without any problems. I want to like Pages, but I just can't yet, it seems counter intuitive to find things, when I'm already used to other types of wordprocessors. Hopefully we'll soon see a new version to help that along.

[SPOOF]

Quote:

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too bad there isn't a way to make a bridge to run the windows version of Office 2003/2007 in Mac on the Intel systems (without parallels). Kind of like WINE for linux. Wonder how difficult it would be to create a "patch" to make it into a UB type program to install.
They did something similar for Unreal Tournament in linux if I remember correctly.

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Crossover is a product that does this on intel macs. I've not had a chance to test it yet, however. I believe it is in public beta though, so check it out and provide them with feedback. I know Office and IE are two of the main targets for the product, which IS based on WINE...and has a similar supported products list.

[Nyhthawk]

A couple bits of information about scripting and Office:
1) Microsoft announced that it is focusing on AppleScript AND Automator support for the Mac version of Office. Using Automator, you will not need to know ANY scripting language to create workflows -- just drag and drop, the same way Automator works when automating other applications.
2) MacTech magazine is releasing, in an upcoming issue previewed at the show, a detailed 100+ page overview by Paul Berkowitz, showing exactly, step-by-step, with examples, how to convert VBA to AppleScript. I suggest giving it a read.
Even though VBA will no longer be supported, robust AppleScript integration and the inclusion of Automator support will bring new opportunities for creating automation tools that will go far beyond what is available with just VBA.

[cld2b]

My big question is if Office 2008 for the Mac will support a million rows of data like Office 2007?
Also will Office 2008 support the other new limits in Office 2007?:
http://blogs.msdn.co.../26/474258.aspx

[BJWanlund]

Quote:

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I intend to ask that exact question in their booth, and if I get any useful info, I'll post it. FYI, NeoOffice has announced that they will have full Excel VB Macro support in an upcoming Q1 2007 release.
-rob.

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Thanks dude!
I've been using NeoOffice more and more. It's just like the OLD Office interface, so I just hopped right in. I'll even bet that all the features are hidden from plain users' view, just like the old Office. I have one question about NeoOffice though.
Why, when you're saving documents, can you ONLY save a modifiable version in the OpenD format for the particular app I'm running? Why can't I save a document in, say, Word Document format, send an email to yourself with the Word file attached, and work with the document in MS Word? I don't WANT to save it to Microsoft's proprietary format with some idiotic DRM technology slipped in there JUST to modify the dn file!! Or maybe I'm just plain stupid and have my "default saving" to THAT format, and THAT makes my NeoOffice documents play nice with MS Office...
BJ

[deemery]

> ... the advice [from Microsoft] is to keep Office 2004 around when I need to use [macros]
Bizarre! The paranoid conspiracy theorist in me is beginning to wonder if Microsoft really WANTS to sell Office 08; rather this is another Redmond conspiracy to avoid antitrust complaints by pointing out that Office 08 didn't sell.
dave

[cliffr39]

Quote:

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> ... the advice [from Microsoft] is to keep Office 2004 around when I need to use [macros]
Bizarre! The paranoid conspiracy theorist in me is beginning to wonder if Microsoft really WANTS to sell Office 08; rather this is another Redmond conspiracy to avoid antitrust complaints by pointing out that Office 08 didn't sell.
dave

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I would have to agree with that idea, they don't seem to want to be in the mac world. They pulled IE, they pulled Media Player (and tell you to use a 3rd party program flip4mac).

[grvaughan]

Microsoft is indeed under assault from many quarters, and they need all the friends they can get. Unfortunately, they never seem to get it that Mac users want to be positive about Microsoft products, as long as we aren't treated as second-class citizens.
For some silly reason, MS has long been afraid that if they treated the Mac market too well they would endanger Windows, by making the Mac too suitable for business, etc. That's how I see dropping VB macros, one more attempt to keep the Mac software somewhat crippled, though this move may go too far.
The lack of Access and Visio on the Mac, and the problems with Exchange may help keep folks from switching to the Mac, but they are also losing MS a lot of potentially valuable customers.
Why can't MS be grateful for its Mac customers? I've been using Excel on the Mac since it first came out (late 1985, I believe), and before that I used Multiplan and Chart!
The Mac market is what gave MS its foothold with Office, but they never got the point of that. If they continue to turn their back on the Mac market, they will likely end up losing the whole Office market, which is under assault from every direction.
As far as losing Windows customers to the Mac, they might as well hang it up concerning Windows. Between China and India, Linux, and the debacle of Vista, they'd be smart to make plans for the day when Windows is practically a give-away.