Office 2007 Beta Review

Well, I have been using the Beta 2 since it has been out. Microsoft has finally produced the first worthwhile upgrade since 97 to 2000. This product suite depending on what is added or culled is great release. I have primarily been using Word, Excel and Outlook in this Beta. Here is what it feels like... It feels like all the crap we have been complaining about in past versions has been added in this product. Here is a brief run-down of the likes and dislikes so far:
Pros:

• Word is more report/design oriented with better cover pages, headers and footers.


• Styles in Word are more accessible and easier to use.


• Excel has a better filtering, range naming, sorting, and conditional formatting functionality.


• Access rocks now!!! I have always been able to use it, but it is more user-friendly.


• RSS feeds in Outlook


• A better calendar in Outlook


• New default fonts that work well with ClearType.

Cons:

• A new default filetype for all the products that isn't compatible with past versions (WTF!!!)


• PowerPoint creates presentations even if saved in 97-2003 format that are entirely editable. That sucks...


• The suite is going to cost everybody big time.


• Microsoft should have released half of these new features years ago.


• New default fonts that all the other Office users do not have.

Go check out the beta. It is a 440MB download with a couple hoops relative to getting an installation key. It won't expire until February 2007.

Back from NECC 2006

Well, I got back from San Diego around 8 yesterday. That conference was well worth the trip. Everything was great. It seemed like open-source and Web 2.0 were the software trends. There was not really anything hardware-wise I haven't see already. But, the exhibit booths were still worth the effort. It was interesting to see Lenovo there. I think from previewing all the new Tablet PCs. Their product was the best due to its long batter life and 2.5 lbs weight. This is a link to the IBM products. They don't actually have the model I looked at on the floor. The tablets in the link are IBM-rebranded.

The main thought I have is that Moodle is finally here in the US. It has taken awhile, but the competitors better take notice. They need just a couple of added features and more compatibility with vendors that sell auxilary products and it is over. The main things they need (in my mind) are:

1. Enhanced SCORM capability (detailed scoring)


2. Custom grade report creation


3. Embedded whiteboard


4. Universal chat system that works with Windows and non-Windows OSes

Again, they are still better that most. And, I have been using them from Day 1 of their operation and will continue to do so. Moral of this story... Educators cannot afford to miss NECC, regardless of the cost. You can learn too much and expand your field of view (eigenview) over night... See what I mean...

NECC Bound

Well, I guess I am spending my 4th of July on a plane to San Diego, CA. I have to present on Wednesday morning out there so I figured my options were pretty slim. The conference I am attending, the National Educational Computing Conference, is really great though. Typically there are in excess of 20000 attendees annually. Wish me luck. I'll report back some of the new tech trends on showcase next week.