News - Microsoft "Office 15" preview begins, public beta soon

[HEXUS]

Microsoft plans to release new productivity suite by year end.

Read more.

[scaryjim]

If that screenshot is from "Office 15", it bears a remarkable similarity to the l&f of Office 2010...

[cheesemp]

At work I couldn't do without office but at home i'm quite happy with google docs. Can't see any reason to buy for home use now...

[crossy]

With so many free and reasonably-priced alternatives available, is Microsoft Office still your desktop productivity suite of choice? Let us know in the HEXUS.community forums.

MS Office hasn't been my preference in DPS since that abortion Office2007. I use Office2010 at work ... because I have to, but I'm quite happy to use LibreOffice elsewhere.

Sure LibreCalc isn't a patch on Excel, but if you're just doing the basics then it's good enough. For "cloud" stuff - i.e. docs I can't be bothered to drag around with me - Google Docs is good enough.

[billybear]

Microsoft Office is still the standard for me. I much prefer the old 2003 interface. It may have a high sticker price, but I'm happy to buy a copy from Software4Students for £40.

[brasco]

When having to front up the cash for several graphics packages on going freelance, MS Office was just too much, so I decided to give Libre Office a go, and so far it's been perfect for my needs. Not as crisp as MS Office for sure but you can't complain about the price

cheers
brasc

[jim]

I'll probably grab it when it comes out via Technet and give it a go. I've found every Office upgrade so far in my life beneficial, doubt it's going to stop being that way any time soon.

[saltyzip]

I haven't got used to Office 2010 yet!

[spoon_]

You won't get a chance the get used to Office 15 then as Office 16 & 17 are already in making!

[Funkstar]

Same goes for any large pieces of software, multiple versions are in the works all at the same time with different project teams. If this wasn't the case, then it would be years between product releases, even before project delays and changes.

[AGTDenton]

If that screenshot is from "Office 15", it bears a remarkable similarity to the l&f of Office 2010...

That could also be said for Office 2000 and Office 2003. But isnt that typical of MS with the exception of the bigger leap from 2003 to 2007.

I prefer 2010 over 2003, initially I didnt like 2007 because of the big change to the interface, but I am glad I have made the switch to Ribbon because it is more efficient to use. The noticable file size difference in 2010 is also welcome especially as I write 200+ page manuals. They clearly trimmed the fat to compete with high quality PDF file sizes. I used to spend hours trying to trim the fat in 2003 docs, now I dont have to.
It is pricey, and many do not need all the features, especially if all you ever do is the odd letter and CV here and there, MS Write will do that. I am surprised that the release is so soon after 2010. MS Should learn to have longer life cycles, though I can only guess most companies are trying to avoid 2013 in their product names and 2014 is too far away.