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Microsoft's Battle For Software Mindshare

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the 40-million-open-office-users-say-meh dept.

chemicaloli writes to mention a BBC article about Microsoft's battle to convince users they need to buy new software. The article explores the changes to the UI in Microsoft Office 2007. Along with the changes prompted by the adoption of the 'Ribbon', the article also looks at some of the software's new features. From the article: "'One of the biggest challenges... is to fight that perception that old versions of software are good enough,' said Microsoft's Chris Capossela. Office 2007 goes on sale to business on 30 November, the same date new operating system Vista is launched. 'Our business model of course allows you to keep using Office 2003 — the software doesn't really expire,' said Mr Capossela, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Business Division. Many large businesses will have Office 2007 delivered as part of existing IT contracts but small business and individual consumers will need persuading to make the change."

8 of 245 comments (clear)

  1. Lab Rats by MECC · · Score: 4, Funny

    The firm also undertook hundreds of thousands of hours of lab research

    I had no idea those little white rats liked using Word. . .

    --
    "We are all geniuses when we dream"
    - E.M. Cioran
    1. Re:Lab Rats by Sqwubbsy · · Score: 5, Funny

      They didn't.
      That's why they died.

      Curiously, the ones using Project determined which other mice would die.

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      $30 Off All Plans: Use code TRIPLESAWBUCK
    2. Re:Lab Rats by ewl1217 · · Score: 3, Funny
      They're Microsoft Mice.
      They're Genuine Microsoft Mice.
  2. Re:convince them the old isn't good enough? by Zangief · · Score: 5, Funny

    Whiter than white? Like #GGGGGG?

    (old joke, I know).

  3. Old versions of software not good enough? by OnTheWay · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, since I'm a forward-looking person, I think that Office 2007 is already not good enough for me, so I'm going to wait until Office 2011 comes out.

  4. Re:convince them the old isn't good enough? by Moby+Cock · · Score: 4, Funny

    His CIO tells him to shut up and go golfing?

    ;)

  5. Re:convince them the old isn't good enough? by A+beautiful+mind · · Score: 5, Funny
    And then there are those, like me, that actually prefer MS Office over OpenOffice -- especially the new interface.
    Oh... I think I've seen a term for that somewhere...
    --
    It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
    Be yourself no matter what they say
  6. Re:Office 97 - The last M$ Office you needed to bu by stubear · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's not possible. It's been well documented by slashbots that you are forced to upgrade Office and Windows with each version that is released. You are clearly a liar because slashbots are well known for their journalistic integrity and would never make up stories about Microsoft on the spot or talk about things they know nothing about.