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Microsoft Changes Office 2007 Interface Again

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the tweaking dept.

daria42 writes "Microsoft has modified its interface for Office 2007 yet again, after complaints from beta testers that the 'ribbon' system took up too much space on screen. The article discusses the resistance the new interface is likely to prompt in old users of the software, both at a personal and corporate level. From a format perspective, there are other changes to expect as well." From the article: "Hodgson also confirmed that Microsoft is working on tools to help enterprises automatically translate existing documents into new file formats being introduced in Office 2007. 'We've been asked by a lot of customers to provide tools to do mass migrations,' he said. 'There will be tools that will take a million documents and migrate those to the new formats.' One likely incentive for that migration will be reduced storage costs. Microsoft claims that file sizes for the new Office 2007 XML-based formats are up to 75 percent less than existing Office formats."

9 of 300 comments (clear)

  1. A million documents? by MECC · · Score: 2, Funny

    'There will be tools that will take a million documents and migrate those to the new formats.'

    Three words: backup, backup, backup

    --
    "We are all geniuses when we dream"
    - E.M. Cioran
    1. Re:A million documents? by Mr2cents · · Score: 2, Funny

      "A million documents should be enough for anybody"

      Bill Gates, 2006.

      --
      "It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton LaVey
  2. What does Clippy look like in XML? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Anyone have any ideas?

    1. Re:What does Clippy look like in XML? by Pulse_Instance · · Score: 3, Funny
      XML reveals Clippy's true personality

      <moods>
      <!--<happy>-->
      <!--<cheerful>-->
      <annoying as f***>
      </moods>

      It goes on like this for quite a while. The most notable thing in the file is the commented out options. If only they had implemented the Clippy options tab.

  3. Hmm... by tttonyyy · · Score: 5, Funny
    "Microsoft claims that file sizes for the new Office 2007 XML-based formats are up to 75 percent less than existing Office formats."

    Presumably to make up for the >33% increase in the size of their new software? :)

    --
    biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
  4. XML FTW (WTF) by dsandler · · Score: 5, Funny
    Microsoft claims that file sizes for the new Office 2007 XML-based formats are up to 75 percent less than existing Office formats.
    ...thus marking the first time that using XML ever made any data representation more compact.
  5. Re:Call me old fashion... by rvw · · Score: 2, Funny

    >> Well, I suppose this means you would also throw power steering,
    >> anti-lock braking systems, traction control and so on out of your car
    >> because you like it the traditional way.

    That's a rather strange comparison. I didn't have to teach my parents to find the steering wheel again when they bought their first car with power steering. It just operated more easily, not differently.

  6. Re:Call me old fashion... by Digital+Vomit · · Score: 2, Funny
    But word by default capitalizes words I don't want capitalized, uncapitalizes things I do, and dissappears menu items.

    It also wrecks the grammar in your internet posts.

    --
    Modern copyright is theft of culture from everyone and it retards the progress of the useful arts and sciences.
  7. Re:What about the bloat? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    Try compiling OOo with GCJ rather than javac. GCJ compiles Java to object code just like C. Though it'd take a few days, you might gain a considerable boost.
    That's funny, that's exactly what my grandmother suggested.