We're testing out the beta version of Microsoft office at work. Overall, there are some good improvements, for example, opening attachments in Outlook runs more smoothly. Some unordered thoughts thus far:
Outlook: Much improved control over folders. Now it is simple to remove excess Contact folders with the standard right-click-delete instead of having to hunt through settings and buried folders. The concept of multiple flags for reminders is good, the lighter layout nice, but the main screen is rather too busy. Dislike the default time and date in which older emails only have dates, instead of full date and time markers, and which needs to be reset at each folder level. Also I find annoying that when an email is deleted, the cursor moves up an email, regardless of whether the email is in ascending or descending order. Bonus for having the new program pick up the older version's user settings for rules, text mail, default fonts etc. Also useful: Outlook can be set to block HTML email or allow one to toggle HTML mail on, or display it.
Excel I've used basic manipulations for databases, but it does not appear measurably different than previous versions. Exporting and importing work well.
Access appears to be similar to previous versions although it is not yet possible to tab across a database in spreadsheet layout. Possibly the beta build. It picked up my ODBC settings nicely in the install.
Word has an added feature for opening document attachments so you can see them as they are stored, a reader setting. I'm not sure I particularly like the feature, but it definitely could be very desirable. Unfortunately, Word does not pick up user default settings for font, default margins and so forth.
Posted at May 30, 2003 04:24 PM | TrackBackThis discussion has been closed. No more comments may be added.