As 2009 draws to a close, I’d like to take some time to reflect on the year here in the MacBU. It’s been a big year for Office 2008, with several significant updates that make your work easier. In 2009, we also got to look forward, sharing the first news with our community about the next major version we have coming down the pipe. In fact, I’m using that version right now, writing this post in a “dogfood” version of Word for Mac - being in the “dogfood” phase means that my team and I use the new Office to get our day-to-day work done. In doing so we help find bugs (just found one- not kidding), and we work as a team to get the suite ready to share with all of you. And finally, I’d like to share an update on Messenger for Mac, including timing for A/V support in the personal Messenger service.
But first, back to the recap, leading off with Office 2008: this past summer we updated the Office 2008 product lineup to make it easier for you - our customers - to select the right version for your needs. You can now choose between Office 2008 Home & Student Edition and Office 2008 Business Edition (with Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition). We’ve also added an Academic version which is a great deal for college students and includes all the tools and features in Business Edition…a little more functionality than what I had running on my SE/30 in my college days.
Throughout the year we’ve enjoyed connecting with you – from the Expo halls of Macworld in San Francisco to the online forums around the world and here on Mojo. We look forward to your feedback and questions, which helps keep your needs on the top of our mind, and often guides our decisions. This year we have been able to implement several updates and fixes that directly respond to frequent feedback: we brought back a data analysis solution for Excel 2008 -StatPlus:mac LE. and we delivered integration between Word 2008 and EndNote X1. The team also worked hard to deliver SP2, including Document Connection, which gives you more ways to connect and collaborate with colleagues on any platform using Microsoft services like SharePoint and Office Live Workspace.
So what’s up with Messenger? One of the most frequent questions we get here on Mojo and in forums is that you – our customers and community- want an update on timing for A/V support in the Messenger personal service, especially since we shared our plan to deliver a beta of personal A/V in 2009. Here’s the update: progress has been slower than expected due to the challenge of connecting to the most current A/V code running on the Windows Live servers. We will not have a beta available in 2009, but we are close: we are in “dogfood”, and we plan to have the beta available to you by next March. We know how anxious you are to use this new version, but I want to ensure we are delivering a top quality experience before we ship, and we will have that in March.
Our team is excited for the holidays, and it’s an especially busy season here at MacBU- we are all focused on launching the next version of Office for Mac in time for the US holiday 2010 season. Back in August I shared that this next version will include Outlook for Mac instead of Entourage, and we are SO looking forward to sharing more details on the new version in the coming months. We’ll be in San Francisco for Macworld in February- stop by and connect with us there if you’re in town, or check this space on Mac Mojo from wherever you are.
Have a safe and joyful holiday season, and an awesome 2010!
march?? 2 years and 3 months for a beta? you have to be kidding.
pidriu
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
new messenger
on the new messenger would be able to use all the cool features that we ve on windows as games videocalls smilys wiinks nudges ...etc or will we ve to still use other programmes?
this a product from microsoft guys i think u could do it much better looks like a programe from the 80īs
cheers
feedback
Jan 09, 2010
11:03pm
Still a huge (basic) FEATURE missing
The only think, why I still haven't been able to use Microsoft Office is its poor citation management. All you need to do is to provide a comfortable way for your customers to format the output of citations within a document. This would be useful especially for academic users all over the world (and not just English-speaking countries). All formats provided are based on Conventions on English language and it should be possible to adjust this settings. I even tried with a Trial to implement all those XML-Citation-Styles that can be found on the web. But all of them lack the ability to adopt to another language. All of them are based on the English Code. Anyway, it isn't to easy to modify this XML-files as it requires already a deep technological understanding. Therefore people are forced to use third party software in combination with Microsoft Word (such as bookends, etc.)
Please include a way to be able to adjust the output format of citations (in the text, as soon as I doubleclick a certain Autor to include a quote as well as at the citation list [list of publications used]). I am sure this would be are very useful feature extra many people are waiting for.
As soon as this functionality is implemented I will be more than happy to switch to Microsoft Office.
PeterRHawkes
Jan 10, 2010
11:16pm
Keep the best of Entourage
Just like to add my weight (still considerable despite the New Year promises!) to the earlier requests that Outlook 2010 keeps Projects and My Day. I welcome Outlook with VBA but it would be a shame to loose these two elements as a result.
xazac
Jan 09, 2010
11:03pm
Carbon or Cocoa?
Hi.
How will be the coming version of Office for Mac? It will be still in Carbon? Or it will be finally Cocoa, intel-only?
Universal is died, keep that in mind.
Bye
harlekinmond
Jan 12, 2010
8:01am
Re: 2009 in Review
First : Have an Happy New Year =)
I am really happy to see that Messenger is not dead and I hope there will be tabs for conversations
espeed623
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Two questions regarding the next Office:mac
1. Will we see the same interface that we've normally seen with Office:mac, or might Office:mac adopt a little more of the ribbon/tabbing interface that the Windows Version has?
2. We all know that Messenger will have A/V sometime this year via beta, but when will us Snow Leopard users get a patch or fix for the current version to fix the very tedious issues?
asSerge
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Where is Entourage Connector?
Dear Sirs,
Thank you for your beautiful Office 2008 and impressive plans.
They lacks one important feature, though...
I (and I think a lot of folks) have a Hotmail account.
To collect mail from it in Office 2007 for Windows there is cure plugin developed by Microsoft - Outlook Connector (Outlok~=Entourage).
I have Windows at work and Mac at home and have no opportunity to collect mail from Hotmail at home.
Please clarify whether you have any plans to implement the Connector feature to Office for Mac - I suppose there are no programming problems issue for that, maybe marketing policy or something elsr?
Thank you
Serge
Nathanael Lawrence
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Re: Messenger for Mac beta with A\V in 2010 March
The timing of the Messenger for Mac Beta feels curiously close to the Silverlight 4 Beta to me. Interestingly, webcam and microphone support are new features in Silverlight 4.
What about it, chaps and lassies? Am I onto anything?
aent
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
What does A/V really mean?
Hi!
Great with an update, but what exactly does A/V imply? I guess usual webcam and voice sessions, but does it also support voice clips/audio clips. Thats the second most important thing I think, also it should indeed be counted as part of "A/V", don't you think?
So... will that be included?
cheers
Eddie79
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
New Office
I was wondering when there will be an update to the Microsoft Word, I find that there is a plenty of bugs with particular attention to the use of the dictionary which annoyingly keeps reverting back to the American spelling and sometimes tends to make the cursor disappear making it a problem when trying to edit a document.
Good job though on announcing when the new MSN launch, some 12 months too late but hey, at least there is actually a set time frame this time.. I just hope MacBu deliver this thing in time.. One question though, putting aside the A/V functions, will it have all the features that MSN for windows has, or will be a just the bare program like 7.0.2 with A/V (hopefully minus the bugs)?
Onearmed
Jan 17, 2010
1:55pm
Understandable
Most people probably don't realize that Microsoft's focus might be on the new Office which makes ...you guessed it ... money. MSN will always be put on the back burner if the main product requires more resources.
I would guess there's been one maybe two developers max working on the update to MSN, not to mention 1- this person leaves 2- the developer gets put on the office project 3- vacations etc
This is just my assumptions.
Lynxifer
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
Whilst I can understand that any software task a complicated action, I can't fully accept your reasoning for delaying a new release of messenger until March 2010.
Yes, I realise that a significant change in code cannot be ported from one operating system and one language to a totally different operating system with its own separate language correctly overnight, but to simply leave users of Mac Messenger out to dry because "it's difficult" isn't very good.
Yes getting A/V to work well over the Internet is tough, big deal. What about the numerous issues with the current version of Messenger on Snow Leopard? How about the issues present in Leopard and Tiger that haven't been fixed yet? How about some of the other Messenger features that Windows Live has that Mac Messenger has not?
Is it totally beyond the veil to release a new point release that addresses some of this issues? I mean hey, you say it's going to be a beta, you could technically get away with releasing a version that had some bugs. What's wrong with taking a copy of the application, sans A/V but full of nice new features, tweaks and bug fixes and saying "Hey people. dreadfully sorry it seems that we don't care about you, how about we give you this in the interim whilst we get A/V working on the personal side. GO TEAM!"
qysh
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
WOW, March?
I can't believe it! Finally some news on Messenger for Mac. But come on! March! Serious? And it will only be in beta? I've checked this site everyday for the past couple of weeks waiting for the year in review post, and I was definitely expecting to get Messenger for Mac by the end of December, but March? Come on. If Skype can get Windows and Mac computers to cooperate, why can't Messenger? Im not trying to bash or anything, but I know Messenger for Mac is what A LOT of people are waiting for, so I guess I, and a lot of other people, will just have to wait until March, with the expectations even greater. Good luck with Office for Mac.
bombil
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
Ok... i guess will have to wait until march.... but here's a question that i guess we are all wanting to know...
Are you adding more features to the Messenger besides the A/V??? And also, is there any news about the interface (what it looks like)? Please tell me that we're going to get something pretty similar to the WLM 9
I hear you and appreciate your patience until March. The only feature we've announced for the March beta is personal A/V- that's the biggest request by far from Messenger customers. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts when the beta is available.
-Eric
Jeff2525
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
I doubt, actually I'm sure, people will be very upset about Messenger for Mac being postponed until March... 3 more months of waiting. But *thank you* for finally providing some information on it. I seriously hope that more functions than just A/V will be included, since it is taking this long. But thank you again and keep up the hard work!
I do have 2 questions though, first is what is "dogfood" when you are talking about software? Also, have you guys considered releasing a Messenger for Mac 7.5 with offline messaging, bug fixes (display pic problems, nickname reverting, and so forth that are common problems in the forums), and just general enhancements that will make it almost comparable to the Windows version?
...that you keep on working hard to fix the big following bug: when you paste an OLE object from ChemDraw in Word or PowerPoint for instance, and you copy it after, it has lost all the OLE-related data, it has become a mere image!
I think the bug is in the "Copy" function. Is it so difficult to fix?
And I would also appreciate the repair of the OLE compatibility between Mac and PC...
Happy New Year!
TheEdge
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Track Changes, Please!
I appreciate MS's update, but there's one big thing that ALL versions of Word need, and that's feature parity. As a user of both Word for Mac and Windows, I've come to really need the robust version of Track changes, including the bubbles "only for comments & formatting." Frankly, Word for Mac's track changes feature is crippled. Really doesn't help me do what I need to do as a home user or a person who takes work home from the office, but whose work does not pay for his home software.
The other essential part of Office for Mac is better security and metadata removal. The Windows version has it, the Mac version doesn't. There are a number of reasons from the personal to the professional that users need to be able to scrub metadata from their Office files. We Mac users are tired of being second class Office citizens.
Please help us all by bringing that same feature set on track changes and hidden data removal to all versions of Office for Mac. These tools are no longer luxury for uers. They are essential.
Remember, if you want us to pay for a software suite, as opposed to getting a free open source app like NeoOffice, you need to give us something they don't offer. Feature partity with the Windows version on these two features is the least you can do for us.
We haven't announced plans for any additional languages in future versions of Office.
chenry
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
holiday cheer
Thanks for the news on Messenger finally. Once it's out, will the beta be available for download here or should we sign up somewhere?
mwxiao
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
Thank goodness for an update every once year.
jck1634
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
It's wonderful that you're still working on messenger....
but I honestly don't know why you're bothering anymore. Please don't take it the wrong way, but you've been so slow in updating the user base let alone the actual software that I'm sure most people have moved on to better and greener pastures. I know I've moved on to Adium which is highly customisable and lets you log in to multiple accounts, and for audio and video, why switch from Skype after using it for so long, waiting for MSN messenger.
It's a shame really.
SomeoneOrOther
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Can't wait!
Eric,
Thanks for the update first of all, and congrats on your recently filling the (pretty large) shoes of GM for the MacBU!
With this forum being cathartic at times, I'm sure you'll agree that many of us are waiting anxiously, uh, like raging bulls (to put it crudely and bluntly) for the return of VBA to Mac Office. As someone who has no access to Office 04, I usually cross my fingers these days when someone sends me a spreadsheet, hoping they haven't figured out how to use macros.
But I'm happy to hear about your dedication and honesty, and that you and your team are taking a first hand approach to squashing some of the Office bugs as you progress on the 2010 release development. That says a good bit.
Messenger is certainly welcome news, though considering all of the features currently found on the Windows WLM, besides the A/V which you mention as to be implemented in the next release (e.g., I'm thinking fun features such as Games), I think I'd be hard pressed to get my hopes up that feature parity will happen. I hope you can prove me wrong!
Anyway, thanks again for the update and your hard work, and happy holidays!
bart
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
OCS integration
Great. Will the new Office Suite and the messenger client have a better integration with OCS? (I am for instance -but not only - thinking about scheduling LiveMeetings from Entourage) Will the Mac user experience in a corporate environment become more like that of it's Windows counterparts when it comes to UC and collaboration?
DavidRRoy
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Speed/Performance
On the next version of Office i am not so interested in further feature upgrades but i would love the new Outlook and other Office applications to be instant to open, responsive to use and very stable.
It would also help if it works with more of the built in features like Mac OS spellchecker if it does not already.
Shame there is a delay on Messenger A/V but i understand the necessity to get a solid and feature rich release i hope you will also be adding in off line messages.
Merry Christmas and have a productive and fun 2010.
Amen, David. We're putting a ton of focus on performance in the upcoming Office release and I think you'll like the results.
Makis Chrysafi
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Zune Software and IE8 for OSX
Our family has four Macs in our home, but as yet has not virtualized Win7 on any of them -- a compromise I don't think I should be forced to make.
We just purchase two Zunes as gifts -- my wife works at Microsoft -- but I'm disappointed to find out the Zune software is not available for Mac. This could have been a great chance for MS to earn some good will for itself by providing drivers and software for its beautiful hardware, but, "nope," it did not. Can't say I'm surprised, but it would have been a lot nicer to be surprised in a positive way by finding Zune software for Mac, if you know what I mean.
This is ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY LOST for Microsoft! Support for the Apple OS is very inconsistent. It's great that you have RDC, SilverLight, Messenger, Office and some drivers for Microsoft hardware for Mac. Glaringly, IE8 is nowhere to be found, not even on the forums. Windows Media Player is pathetically out of date.
So here's my request: Please pass this e-mail on to the appropriate team managers at Microsoft. Preserving the Microsoft Windows 7 "silo" at the expense of not supporting Microsoft products on the Mac OS (like Windows Live Services and Zune) is a mistake I hope the leadership of Microsoft will soon correct. We're all in a new era, and it is time for MS to better support ALL its products on the Mac platform.
Shadows
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Question on the Messenger for Mac part
does this also include offline messaging?
from what i can tell quite a few people would like this aswell
Jomo
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
But still....
2009 in review...BUT STILL NO MAC MESSENGER WITH A/V. Until this is sorted, MacBU is nothing more than a joke to the Mac users of England. It's a shame when your office software is so good.
P.s Just like my previous comments, i highly doubt you will let this be posted because as i have said something negative about your joke of a department MacBU can't be seen to be made a mockery of. Even though everyone does it on every other site. You do not allow freedom of speech, how very Microsoft of you.
We're listening, Jomo. Since Messenger is addressed in this post I'm moderating in comments about yours. Our bloggers always read everything that comes in.
mks
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Great work!
Good to hear an update on the Messenger, you guys are doing a great job...
I do have a question that will probably become more popular towards the end of next year - how do you become the Office for Mac betatester (or even alphatester if possible) - the Visual Studio team has offered nice CTPs way before the RTM versions, you should consider doing the same - I don't mind using pre-release software on a day-to-day basis and reporting the bugs I see (as using pre-release software is part of my current job as well)
markh31
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
New version of word
With the new version of word, what are the plans for tracked changes? Will tracked changes be like word 2007 with regard to stability? Will comments be numbered like they are in word 2007? Tracked changes is a very important feature for many word users.
thanks
mark
Jeff2525
Jan 05, 2010
10:08am
Re: 2009 in Review
I am pretty sure you guys realized how negative this delay of Messenger for Mac will affect your consumer base and how many people are switching to clones and alternatives, and then staying with clones and alternatives. But just a word of advise, if you guys release MfM *this* late, and do *not* add more features than just A/V and maybe update the look some (to fit mac's look), you will lose a whole lot of customers. Right now your customers and user base are hanging on by a thread, and this does not only make MacBU look bad, but Microsoft in general look bad. Please, Please, Please, Please do more than just A/V (considering the time you had and delayed), or hand off the protocols to iChat.
chocolatejeff
Jan 05, 2010
10:08am
Office 2010
Hi,
I am an engineering student I and love using Office 2004 in the years before mainly because I own a Macbook and I can write VB codes for it. Although many people at that time thought office 2003 was pretty good, I actually preferred office 2004's layout and worked more efficiently than I did when I was in Windows. However, with Office 2008, I was very disappointed to learn that support for VB was taken out (along with many excel add-ins that were very useful to me) I bought Parallels and ran Windows in my computer for the purpose of preparing documents with VBA in it with Office 2007.
After hearing that VB will once again be supported in Office 2010 for Mac, I am very excited. Please let me know if this will be the case. I also use Outlook very often when I work on my main computer. I can't wait to see how this looks like in the next version of Office for Mac. Perhaps a few screenshots might be nice?
Yes, VB is back in the next Office! Stay tuned for more details on Outlook and the rest of the suite- we'll have more to share soon.
Caifo
Jan 05, 2010
10:08am
Messenger bugs
Please Eric, you should take some time to release a fix for the big issues Messenger for Mac has by now. The nickname reverting, display picture, logged in notifications and other bugs, are really annoying!
It would be great to have A/V support for Windows Live, but, personally I'd prefer to have a bug free Messenger, prior to think about new features...
mactopiaccount
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
Thoughts..
I want to thank the MacBU team for the work they've done. It's nice to see Microsoft stepping outside of their own OS and providing their work to users of other operating systems. Especially free programs like Messenger.
Having said that, I don't agree that you are being fair to your followers. If it looks as if you can't or won't release an update by a suggested time, please let the community know about it, rather than ignoring forum posts and questions. Returning after months of silence and announcing that a project will be delayed another 3 months with little or no apology is a poor way to treat your fan base.
I return to the point that MacBU has done good work. I like the small-scale feel of the community and the communication between the team and consumers. Thanks again, MacBU. Make us proud!
DJ Spin Cycle
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
Entourage (Projects and Links>URL)
To Whom It May Concern.
I was a PC person from WIN 3.1X through WIN 98 and refused to move to ME and later XP because of functionality. In 2005 I became and Apple user who would only use MS Office.
Because of my job, I am surrounded by DJ, Audio Engineers and Digital Media Specialist that all started raving about Entourage. I was using MAIL, iCAL and the like.
I've spent 5 weeks getting adjusted and learning Entourage only to find some serious challenges that could not be resolved.
First is links, but not like MS would call it but main stream society. Usually I would highlight a word or phrase, right click, which would give me several options and one is "link" and then I would type the url or paste. This is not so in Entourage.
The 2nd disheartening thing that has caused severe embarrassment is the Project option in Entourage. OUTLOOK does not support it. In fact, OUTLOOK doesn't support too much of what Entourage has to offer.
One doesn't assume that MS Office for PC and MAC will only have 4 out of 5 applications that will "talk" correctly with understanding across platforms.
Also, on a personal note, I like the feel of Entourage over OUTLOOK; thus, I encourage you and your team to keep the physical set up the Entourage has. And please make the Project feature stay with the Apple version of MS Office but make sure the OUTLOOK 2010 can "communicate and understand" it properly please.
DJ Spin Cycle
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
My Day
To Whom It May Concern:
Please leave the My Day feature in the Apple Version of Entourage and the future version of OUTLOOK and please make sure they both can "talk with understanding" to each-other.
JMiguel
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
Must features for next update
@Eric: After such a looooooooooooooooooooooooong wait for a Messenger update, I believe two feats are a must: A/V (which you've already promised), and offline messaging. Shouldn't be too hard...is it? Please....thx.
TippyTurtle
Jan 08, 2010
11:52pm
V/A for Messanger (Personal Accounts) not until March
A real disappointment that you are unable to bring this feature live until March. Anyone else feel like we are stuck in the stone ages? I'm not as concerned about an "update on timing for A/V support in the Messenger personal service", as I am in getting a service capability that was promised yet just seems to keep getting kicked down the road. Come on--its time to either deliver or admit defeat!
Jeff2525
Jan 09, 2010
11:03pm
Re: 2009 in Review
How come you don't release the beta version that you had for a year (the one that was leaked and that a whole lot of people were using)? If you just have to wait on protocols and stuff, why not fix the bugs on that and release it, then when you are fully upgraded you can just update the A/V to work on the new protocol. Maybe hire some volunteers over at aMSN... they seem to be able to add features that you guys can't figure out, and years before you too. (not to sound harsh, but it is technically true...)
juanchin666
Jan 10, 2010
11:16pm
Donīt kill Eric... (That is, the Messenger...)
I know yours is the toughest job in all Microsoft (facing very angry Mac users which MS doesnīt care about), but considering you were "the chosen one", youīre the guy to ask..
How hard can it be to port just a PROGRAM when Apple in the same amount of time released TWO OPERATING SYSTEMS?
Besides that, itīs just unacceptable "just A/V because itīs the most requested feature". Imagine if Audi said "no, the new A4 will only feature wheels, since itīs the most appreciated feature between our customers". Cīmon... itīs pretty obvious Microsoft wants Apple to die (to sell more Windows and Flight Simulator , but it is very childish to think that not releasing an IM client will make someone switch to PC.
Please tell this to Bill when you see him.
Cheers and have a great year.
Chosen one: wow, no pressure . For the last 13 years my team has focused on building software just for Mac users- those are Microsoft customers with Macs, and we absolutely do care. To your A4 analogy, what we're doing is making sure the all wheel drive system is just right before we let the car off the lot, and while we're doing that we're not focused on the cup holders. Hope you like what you see when the app is ready to roll.
Jeff2525
Jan 11, 2010
11:56am
Re: 2009 in Review
Its great to focus on the "wheel drive system" (make Messenger for Mac work and work well), but don't forget the extras ("cup holder"). MfM should be the same as Windows Live, as we do talk to people on Windows systems... when we have too that is haha. Remember though, features and time lines are very important to people too. To go back to the car analogy you guys were using, a well running car is important, but not to have cup holders would be seen as stupid, especially if their overseas cars have them.
Rainydaiz
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
messenger 4 mac
Too little tooo late.... I've converted enough people that matter over to Skype, which lets face it is pretty flawless for Mac/PC AV for nearly 2 years now. I think mac users have given you enough rope, now time to use it for another project, a noose maybe?
Vov
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Messenger for Mac
Frankly I could live 3 more months without A/V in personal account, and without offline messages. I've been waiting this for 24 months already, so waiting another 1/8 of it is child play.
However, what drives me totally crazy is the ton of things that stopped working since 2009. Every time I log in is an authentic notification-hell: My desktop gets filled with those little windows that I've started to hate so much, and doesn't let me work. Reverting nickname? Thanks for stopping me express myself each time I log in.
Use Adium? Sorry... I've tried it... Frankly it's sooo clunky I've switched back to MfM.
Please don't wait until I finally let MfM die for me.
Everyday hell must stop. Release a fix for MfM 7. Obviously I'm not aware of how much progress MfM 8 has, but I assure you, MfM7 should take less effort to fix.
juanchin666
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
To me, it seems a bycicle more than a car.
Cīmon, Neo! The guys that are in charge of the wheels arenīt the same that the ones who design the engine (maybe it would be a more apropiate analogy in the car world), although both are equally vital to get the car moving. So letīs think something better than "First we will get perfect wheels, and then we will take care of the rest", because if only the wheels (or the engine, or whatever you want) is taking 3 years, how long can it take to get the rest of the car done? Letīs get honest: we all know Messenger 8 wonīt have any other changes rather than A/V and a very huge SEND button.
bombil
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Re: 2009 in Review
Eric,
So, are you guys fixing at least the display picture bug? It's kinda nice to see who i'm talking to.
Syed Ahmad
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Don't care for Messenger much, but Outlook needs 2003 compatibility
Most people are freaking out over the lack of A/V support in Messenger. Thats was an odd omission but one that I personally didn't care for. I'm more concerned with Office.
I am working in Office 2010 beta in VMware and will be comparing the new Office for Mac to that version. I'm hoping that there is SOME level of compatibility for us user still stuck with Exchange Server 2003.
I'd love to be on 2007 or even 2010, but our company hasn't moved and I don't make the decisions. I'll still keep VMware as its useful for work, but I don't want to waste any money on a version of Office that has been collecting dust in my small stack of DVDs.
SomeoneOrOther
Jan 18, 2010
12:43pm
Canadian English
Any chance of having the Canadian English dictionary back into Office?
I realize you probably didn't have it in your budget for the 2008 release (I mean, what else would explain it being left out).
My problem is: Word is starting to give me the "Custom dictionary not available" messages, and the "Add to dictionary" option has recently greyed out.
Comments | Who's Blogging This
Paul Naassan
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
pidriu
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
new messenger
this a product from microsoft guys i think u could do it much better looks like a programe from the 80īs
cheers
feedback
Jan 09, 2010
11:03pm
Still a huge (basic) FEATURE missing
Please include a way to be able to adjust the output format of citations (in the text, as soon as I doubleclick a certain Autor to include a quote as well as at the citation list [list of publications used]). I am sure this would be are very useful feature extra many people are waiting for.
As soon as this functionality is implemented I will be more than happy to switch to Microsoft Office.
PeterRHawkes
Jan 10, 2010
11:16pm
Keep the best of Entourage
xazac
Jan 09, 2010
11:03pm
Carbon or Cocoa?
How will be the coming version of Office for Mac? It will be still in Carbon? Or it will be finally Cocoa, intel-only?
Universal is died, keep that in mind.
Bye
harlekinmond
Jan 12, 2010
8:01am
Re: 2009 in Review
I am really happy to see that Messenger is not dead and I hope there will be tabs for conversations
espeed623
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Two questions regarding the next Office:mac
2. We all know that Messenger will have A/V sometime this year via beta, but when will us Snow Leopard users get a patch or fix for the current version to fix the very tedious issues?
asSerge
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Where is Entourage Connector?
Thank you for your beautiful Office 2008 and impressive plans.
They lacks one important feature, though...
I (and I think a lot of folks) have a Hotmail account.
To collect mail from it in Office 2007 for Windows there is cure plugin developed by Microsoft - Outlook Connector (Outlok~=Entourage).
I have Windows at work and Mac at home and have no opportunity to collect mail from Hotmail at home.
Please clarify whether you have any plans to implement the Connector feature to Office for Mac - I suppose there are no programming problems issue for that, maybe marketing policy or something elsr?
Thank you
Serge
Nathanael Lawrence
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Re: Messenger for Mac beta with A\V in 2010 March
What about it, chaps and lassies? Am I onto anything?
aent
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
What does A/V really mean?
Great with an update, but what exactly does A/V imply? I guess usual webcam and voice sessions, but does it also support voice clips/audio clips. Thats the second most important thing I think, also it should indeed be counted as part of "A/V", don't you think?
So... will that be included?
cheers
Eddie79
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
New Office
Good job though on announcing when the new MSN launch, some 12 months too late but hey, at least there is actually a set time frame this time.. I just hope MacBu deliver this thing in time.. One question though, putting aside the A/V functions, will it have all the features that MSN for windows has, or will be a just the bare program like 7.0.2 with A/V (hopefully minus the bugs)?
Onearmed
Jan 17, 2010
1:55pm
Understandable
I would guess there's been one maybe two developers max working on the update to MSN, not to mention 1- this person leaves 2- the developer gets put on the office project 3- vacations etc
This is just my assumptions.
Lynxifer
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
Yes, I realise that a significant change in code cannot be ported from one operating system and one language to a totally different operating system with its own separate language correctly overnight, but to simply leave users of Mac Messenger out to dry because "it's difficult" isn't very good.
Yes getting A/V to work well over the Internet is tough, big deal. What about the numerous issues with the current version of Messenger on Snow Leopard? How about the issues present in Leopard and Tiger that haven't been fixed yet? How about some of the other Messenger features that Windows Live has that Mac Messenger has not?
Is it totally beyond the veil to release a new point release that addresses some of this issues? I mean hey, you say it's going to be a beta, you could technically get away with releasing a version that had some bugs. What's wrong with taking a copy of the application, sans A/V but full of nice new features, tweaks and bug fixes and saying "Hey people. dreadfully sorry it seems that we don't care about you, how about we give you this in the interim whilst we get A/V working on the personal side. GO TEAM!"
qysh
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
WOW, March?
bombil
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
Are you adding more features to the Messenger besides the A/V??? And also, is there any news about the interface (what it looks like)? Please tell me that we're going to get something pretty similar to the WLM 9
Dec 29, 2009
10:34am
I hear you and appreciate your patience until March. The only feature we've announced for the March beta is personal A/V- that's the biggest request by far from Messenger customers. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts when the beta is available.
-Eric
Jeff2525
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
I do have 2 questions though, first is what is "dogfood" when you are talking about software? Also, have you guys considered releasing a Messenger for Mac 7.5 with offline messaging, bug fixes (display pic problems, nickname reverting, and so forth that are common problems in the forums), and just general enhancements that will make it almost comparable to the Windows version?
Thanks!
Dec 29, 2009
10:39am
Here's a good example, written up a few years back, of the practice of "eating one's own dog food" at Microsoft:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/62/microsoft.html
-Eric
Michel Guillaume
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Just a hope for 2010...
I think the bug is in the "Copy" function. Is it so difficult to fix?
And I would also appreciate the repair of the OLE compatibility between Mac and PC...
Happy New Year!
TheEdge
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Track Changes, Please!
The other essential part of Office for Mac is better security and metadata removal. The Windows version has it, the Mac version doesn't. There are a number of reasons from the personal to the professional that users need to be able to scrub metadata from their Office files. We Mac users are tired of being second class Office citizens.
Please help us all by bringing that same feature set on track changes and hidden data removal to all versions of Office for Mac. These tools are no longer luxury for uers. They are essential.
Remember, if you want us to pay for a software suite, as opposed to getting a free open source app like NeoOffice, you need to give us something they don't offer. Feature partity with the Windows version on these two features is the least you can do for us.
Thanks!
Mohamed
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Arabic support
Dec 29, 2009
10:40am
chenry
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
holiday cheer
mwxiao
Dec 29, 2009
10:27am
Re: 2009 in Review
jck1634
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
It's wonderful that you're still working on messenger....
It's a shame really.
SomeoneOrOther
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Can't wait!
Thanks for the update first of all, and congrats on your recently filling the (pretty large) shoes of GM for the MacBU!
With this forum being cathartic at times, I'm sure you'll agree that many of us are waiting anxiously, uh, like raging bulls (to put it crudely and bluntly) for the return of VBA to Mac Office. As someone who has no access to Office 04, I usually cross my fingers these days when someone sends me a spreadsheet, hoping they haven't figured out how to use macros.
But I'm happy to hear about your dedication and honesty, and that you and your team are taking a first hand approach to squashing some of the Office bugs as you progress on the 2010 release development. That says a good bit.
Messenger is certainly welcome news, though considering all of the features currently found on the Windows WLM, besides the A/V which you mention as to be implemented in the next release (e.g., I'm thinking fun features such as Games), I think I'd be hard pressed to get my hopes up that feature parity will happen. I hope you can prove me wrong!
Anyway, thanks again for the update and your hard work, and happy holidays!
bart
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
OCS integration
DavidRRoy
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Speed/Performance
It would also help if it works with more of the built in features like Mac OS spellchecker if it does not already.
Shame there is a delay on Messenger A/V but i understand the necessity to get a solid and feature rich release i hope you will also be adding in off line messages.
Merry Christmas and have a productive and fun 2010.
Dec 29, 2009
10:42am
Makis Chrysafi
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Zune Software and IE8 for OSX
We just purchase two Zunes as gifts -- my wife works at Microsoft -- but I'm disappointed to find out the Zune software is not available for Mac. This could have been a great chance for MS to earn some good will for itself by providing drivers and software for its beautiful hardware, but, "nope," it did not. Can't say I'm surprised, but it would have been a lot nicer to be surprised in a positive way by finding Zune software for Mac, if you know what I mean.
This is ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY LOST for Microsoft! Support for the Apple OS is very inconsistent. It's great that you have RDC, SilverLight, Messenger, Office and some drivers for Microsoft hardware for Mac. Glaringly, IE8 is nowhere to be found, not even on the forums. Windows Media Player is pathetically out of date.
So here's my request: Please pass this e-mail on to the appropriate team managers at Microsoft. Preserving the Microsoft Windows 7 "silo" at the expense of not supporting Microsoft products on the Mac OS (like Windows Live Services and Zune) is a mistake I hope the leadership of Microsoft will soon correct. We're all in a new era, and it is time for MS to better support ALL its products on the Mac platform.
Shadows
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Question on the Messenger for Mac part
from what i can tell quite a few people would like this aswell
Jomo
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
But still....
P.s Just like my previous comments, i highly doubt you will let this be posted because as i have said something negative about your joke of a department MacBU can't be seen to be made a mockery of. Even though everyone does it on every other site. You do not allow freedom of speech, how very Microsoft of you.
Dec 29, 2009
10:46am
mks
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
Great work!
I do have a question that will probably become more popular towards the end of next year - how do you become the Office for Mac betatester (or even alphatester if possible) - the Visual Studio team has offered nice CTPs way before the RTM versions, you should consider doing the same - I don't mind using pre-release software on a day-to-day basis and reporting the bugs I see (as using pre-release software is part of my current job as well)
markh31
Dec 29, 2009
10:29am
New version of word
thanks
mark
Jeff2525
Jan 05, 2010
10:08am
Re: 2009 in Review
chocolatejeff
Jan 05, 2010
10:08am
Office 2010
I am an engineering student I and love using Office 2004 in the years before mainly because I own a Macbook and I can write VB codes for it. Although many people at that time thought office 2003 was pretty good, I actually preferred office 2004's layout and worked more efficiently than I did when I was in Windows. However, with Office 2008, I was very disappointed to learn that support for VB was taken out (along with many excel add-ins that were very useful to me) I bought Parallels and ran Windows in my computer for the purpose of preparing documents with VBA in it with Office 2007.
After hearing that VB will once again be supported in Office 2010 for Mac, I am very excited. Please let me know if this will be the case. I also use Outlook very often when I work on my main computer. I can't wait to see how this looks like in the next version of Office for Mac. Perhaps a few screenshots might be nice?
Jan 05, 2010
10:10am
Caifo
Jan 05, 2010
10:08am
Messenger bugs
It would be great to have A/V support for Windows Live, but, personally I'd prefer to have a bug free Messenger, prior to think about new features...
mactopiaccount
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
Thoughts..
Having said that, I don't agree that you are being fair to your followers. If it looks as if you can't or won't release an update by a suggested time, please let the community know about it, rather than ignoring forum posts and questions. Returning after months of silence and announcing that a project will be delayed another 3 months with little or no apology is a poor way to treat your fan base.
I return to the point that MacBU has done good work. I like the small-scale feel of the community and the communication between the team and consumers. Thanks again, MacBU. Make us proud!
DJ Spin Cycle
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
Entourage (Projects and Links>URL)
I was a PC person from WIN 3.1X through WIN 98 and refused to move to ME and later XP because of functionality. In 2005 I became and Apple user who would only use MS Office.
Because of my job, I am surrounded by DJ, Audio Engineers and Digital Media Specialist that all started raving about Entourage. I was using MAIL, iCAL and the like.
I've spent 5 weeks getting adjusted and learning Entourage only to find some serious challenges that could not be resolved.
First is links, but not like MS would call it but main stream society. Usually I would highlight a word or phrase, right click, which would give me several options and one is "link" and then I would type the url or paste. This is not so in Entourage.
The 2nd disheartening thing that has caused severe embarrassment is the Project option in Entourage. OUTLOOK does not support it. In fact, OUTLOOK doesn't support too much of what Entourage has to offer.
One doesn't assume that MS Office for PC and MAC will only have 4 out of 5 applications that will "talk" correctly with understanding across platforms.
Also, on a personal note, I like the feel of Entourage over OUTLOOK; thus, I encourage you and your team to keep the physical set up the Entourage has. And please make the Project feature stay with the Apple version of MS Office but make sure the OUTLOOK 2010 can "communicate and understand" it properly please.
DJ Spin Cycle
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
My Day
Please leave the My Day feature in the Apple Version of Entourage and the future version of OUTLOOK and please make sure they both can "talk with understanding" to each-other.
JMiguel
Jan 08, 2010
4:37pm
Must features for next update
TippyTurtle
Jan 08, 2010
11:52pm
V/A for Messanger (Personal Accounts) not until March
Jeff2525
Jan 09, 2010
11:03pm
Re: 2009 in Review
juanchin666
Jan 10, 2010
11:16pm
Donīt kill Eric... (That is, the Messenger...)
How hard can it be to port just a PROGRAM when Apple in the same amount of time released TWO OPERATING SYSTEMS?
Besides that, itīs just unacceptable "just A/V because itīs the most requested feature". Imagine if Audi said "no, the new A4 will only feature wheels, since itīs the most appreciated feature between our customers". Cīmon... itīs pretty obvious Microsoft wants Apple to die (to sell more Windows and Flight Simulator
Please tell this to Bill when you see him.
Cheers and have a great year.
Jan 10, 2010
11:21pm
Jeff2525
Jan 11, 2010
11:56am
Re: 2009 in Review
Rainydaiz
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
messenger 4 mac
Vov
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Messenger for Mac
However, what drives me totally crazy is the ton of things that stopped working since 2009. Every time I log in is an authentic notification-hell: My desktop gets filled with those little windows that I've started to hate so much, and doesn't let me work. Reverting nickname? Thanks for stopping me express myself each time I log in.
Use Adium? Sorry... I've tried it... Frankly it's sooo clunky I've switched back to MfM.
Please don't wait until I finally let MfM die for me.
Everyday hell must stop. Release a fix for MfM 7. Obviously I'm not aware of how much progress MfM 8 has, but I assure you, MfM7 should take less effort to fix.
juanchin666
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
To me, it seems a bycicle more than a car.
bombil
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Re: 2009 in Review
So, are you guys fixing at least the display picture bug? It's kinda nice to see who i'm talking to.
Syed Ahmad
Jan 17, 2010
1:51pm
Don't care for Messenger much, but Outlook needs 2003 compatibility
I am working in Office 2010 beta in VMware and will be comparing the new Office for Mac to that version. I'm hoping that there is SOME level of compatibility for us user still stuck with Exchange Server 2003.
I'd love to be on 2007 or even 2010, but our company hasn't moved and I don't make the decisions. I'll still keep VMware as its useful for work, but I don't want to waste any money on a version of Office that has been collecting dust in my small stack of DVDs.
SomeoneOrOther
Jan 18, 2010
12:43pm
Canadian English
I realize you probably didn't have it in your budget for the 2008 release (I mean, what else would explain it being left out).
My problem is: Word is starting to give me the "Custom dictionary not available" messages, and the "Add to dictionary" option has recently greyed out.
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