Comments on: The Assault on Microsoft Office http://www.thevirtualcircle.com/2008/12/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/ WordPress site Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:21:06 +0000 hourly 1 By: Don Neely http://www.thevirtualcircle.com/2008/12/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/comment-page-1/#comment-470 Don Neely Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:14:31 +0000 http://havemacwillblog.com/2008/12/29/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/#comment-470 Given your post on Symphony and a previous post on Notes/Domino, please be aware that these Symphony editors are also included in the Notes client offering as a standard feature. I use all the editors and frequently view/edit Microsoft Office formatted files from within Symphony. In particular, I find the built-in export from Symphony's ODF-based presentation editor to Adobe's Acrobat pdf format very convenient. Given your post on Symphony and a previous post on Notes/Domino, please be aware that these Symphony editors are also included in the Notes client offering as a standard feature. I use all the editors and frequently view/edit Microsoft Office formatted files from within Symphony. In particular, I find the built-in export from Symphony’s ODF-based presentation editor to Adobe’s Acrobat pdf format very convenient.

]]> By: Bloor Robin http://www.thevirtualcircle.com/2008/12/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/comment-page-1/#comment-472 Bloor Robin Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:58:20 +0000 http://havemacwillblog.com/2008/12/29/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/#comment-472 I know of some companies that are already trialing Office alternatives as well as a few small ones who are doing a great deal on Google. Yes there's migration to consider, but that only seems to be a real difficulty where there's extensive use of Excel. Also it's amazing how fast a migration can occur if someone just imposes it. I know of some companies that are already trialing Office alternatives as well as a few small ones who are doing a great deal on Google. Yes there’s migration to consider, but that only seems to be a real difficulty where there’s extensive use of Excel.
Also it’s amazing how fast a migration can occur if someone just imposes it.

]]> By: Peter de Haas http://www.thevirtualcircle.com/2008/12/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/comment-page-1/#comment-471 Peter de Haas Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:44:48 +0000 http://havemacwillblog.com/2008/12/29/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/#comment-471 Sorry, Noticed too late that you already indicated that you have no intention of switching ;-) Sorry,

Noticed too late that you already indicated that you have no intention of switching ;-)

]]> By: Peter de Haas http://www.thevirtualcircle.com/2008/12/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/comment-page-1/#comment-473 Peter de Haas Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:43:34 +0000 http://havemacwillblog.com/2008/12/29/the-assault-on-microsoft-office/#comment-473 Robin, You downloaded out of curiousity, as did (and I am making an educated guess here) 70% of the people who download free software. As for the complexity of productivity apps and the many different usage scenarios, Microsoft did implement the ribbon. A UI improvement if you ask me as it is context driven. Another good example of Microsoft Office as a *platform* is the recent release of the Slideshare Add-in : http://blog.slideshare.net/2008/12/15/slideshare-makes-powerpoint-social/ I do not agree with your conclusion with regards to a state of recession and the fact that organisation may turn to free or inexpensive software. This would imply that "free" software does not come with migration / (user)adaptation costs when implemented and has a lower TCO going forward. The big question is have you switched ? Robin,

You downloaded out of curiousity, as did (and I am making an educated guess here) 70% of the people who download free software.

As for the complexity of productivity apps and the many different usage scenarios, Microsoft did implement the ribbon. A UI improvement if you ask me as it is context driven.
Another good example of Microsoft Office as a *platform* is the recent release of the Slideshare Add-in : http://blog.slideshare.net/2008/12/15/slideshare-makes-powerpoint-social/

I do not agree with your conclusion with regards to a state of recession and the fact that organisation may turn to free or inexpensive software. This would imply that “free” software does not come with migration / (user)adaptation costs when implemented and has a lower TCO going forward.

The big question is have you switched ?

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