[Graham Mayor]

You have to wonder at the mind set of some of our software giants. Lotus
used to have a seriously good word processor - AmiPro - which was easier to
use than Word and did just about everything that a user might reasonably
need; and Lotus was then highly regarded, but they screwed it up and
introduced the ridiculous Word Pro as a replacement. Maybe the former Lotus
destroyers now work for Microsoft?

--

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org


Chris Hayes wrote:
Oh, this is a very good point! Bravo!

Microsoft has just gotten to the place where they "feel" and "can" do
what they want without regard to the user (especially the current
users.)

I've been a strong MS user for years. I remember installing Office
95 with 3 3/4" floppys. I was barking at others to look at Word and
not Word Perfect.

The problem is no one is coming up with a viable competetive product.
The solid base Microsoft has built with it's tools and methods gives
them clout to do what they want.

Microsoft kicking itself in the rear with a way off base new product
(which has plenty of new and fun tools) does not meet the current
user base. This is the competitions opportunity to come up with a
viable new option (highly unlikely though.)

On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 17:50:15 -0500, "Beth Melton"
wrote:

The "cheap shot", Larry, is spending a limited amount of time using
Word 2007, forming quick and non-researched opinions, and then
criticizing it every chance you get.

I'm sure if I spent 5 to 10 minutes using "Larry's Word", and if I
were one to form quick and non-researched opinions, I'd think it
was hideous, a catastrophe, and a monstrosity - all because I
haven't taken the time to use it.

What you say takes months to learn really doesn't take that long at
all. Now, I spent months learning about the new features (which is
true of any new version), but I adapted to the UI fairly quickly.
FWIW, I've been using the Office applications, with the
menus/toolbars, since 1985, starting with Excel on a Mac. I went
from using SuperCalc and WordStar with the slash commands and I
couldn't imagine how using a mouse would help me work faster than
my trusty keyboard navigation! But once I got the hang of using a
mouse I never looked back.

The UI you love was designed for 1989, just as the slash command
nagivation was designed for early computer applications. A lot has
changed since then and the programs outgrew the menu/toolbar
system. I'm surprised they didn't do this long ago.

I think the bottom line is, if you prefer to drive your 1950 Chevy
with no air conditioning, manual steering, manual transmission, and
drum brakes, then by all means, keep driving it. I prefer to drive
my new convertible with air conditioning, automatic steering, split
shift transmission (can switch to automatic or manual), anti-lock
brakes, heated leather seats, GPS, and 4-disc CD changer. I like my
car and I'm tired of someone merely kicking the tires and making
assumptions about it.

Another point completely missed.

I never heard Larry tell you or Greg or anyone else not to use the
new interface. He just said that he hates it and hates that HE is
forced to use it or stay with an obsolete version.

Your car analogy is off the mark. Your shiny new car is 100%
compatible with existing roads, maps, gas stations, DMV procedures,
etc. When you bought it, you didn't need more than 5 minutes of
training to be able to drive away. When you upgraded, you didn't need
to learn new maps, build new roads, go back to driver's school, take
a new driver's test (unless you bought a bus), or anything. If your
new car has a fancy GPS system, or a satellite uplink, or a wet bar,
or a waterbed, it didn't affect your ability to drive down the road.
And, both you and Larry can drive down the same road at the same time
without either of you making any adjustments for each other.

Larry has a valid point. MS tends to make changes because they can. I
guarantee you, that Google Office is going to change that and I'm
cheering for Google -- until they become the arrogant 8 million pound
gorilla and start pushing people and customers around.

It took about 60 years for TJ Watson's lean, mean, responsive company
to become ossified and arrogant and get clipped my Microsoft. It's
now been about 20 years. MS is getting bloated and slow. They
weathered the Netscape scare just like IBM did early competitors by
crushing them. So far the open source folks (and other grass roots
efforts) have not quite got it together. But Google may just do to
MS after 30 years what MS did to IBM after 60.

In the meantime, Larry, keep complaining. Even if I don't agree with
you. I'll just tune you out. ;-)

--
Running Word 2000 SP-3 on Windows 2000