Universal Mac Office, Messenger coming
updated 05:40 pm EDT, Mon August 7, 2006
Universal Office coming
The Macintosh Business Unit (Mac BU) of Microsoft today announced that it would offer a Universal version of its flagship MS Office productivity suite and Mac Messenger client. The company said it has made great strides in gradually transitioning to the new platform as Apple completes its transition to Intel-based Macs. The impact of the new architecture and operating system capabilities combined with the Mac BU's support of Mac OS tools and technologies has led the Mac BU to several product roadmap decisions aimed at providing Mac customers with solutions to meet their needs. "Tens of millions of lines of code have been 100 percent transitioned to Xcode on the road to a Universal version of Office for Mac," says the Mac BU.
"The Mac BU also will provide free, downloadable converters to allow users of current versions of Office for Mac to read the new Microsoft Office Open XML formats following the availability of Office for Windows," the company said.
Microsoft Messenger for Mac 6.0 is the first Universal application from the Mac BU, and will be available in late 2006. The software will deliver numerous new features which include federation for Messenger for Mac personal users with Yahoo! Messenger customers, customized emoticons, and spell checking. Additionally, users can display a personal message or the song they're listening to in iTunes.
Universal Remote Desktop Connection
A new, free, Universal version of the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) Client for Mac is already under development that allows Mac users to access Windows-based computers on their network. The next version of RDC is planned as a fully supported free product.
Visual Basic is a problem
08/07, 06:30pm reply
Stopping support of VB, espeically in Excel, will kill cross-compatability for serious users - again, especially in Excel. This may be the beginning of the end for MS Office between Mac and PC. Anyone know what the scripting/macros are like in open office?
dscottbuch
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
Redmond, we have a proble
08/07, 06:58pm reply
You've got to be kidding me?! Killing VB for the Mac?! This is a complete deal breaker... It'd be one thing if they said they can't ship it in time for Office 2007, but atleast make a statement that you'll support it in the future (maybe with Office 2009 - but I guess thats too far out).
I use Visual Basic scripting extensively on Excel for my job. I'm going to have to look long and hard at using NeoOffice in the future. I sure hope it supports VB...
schwie
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Joined: Aug 2006
Transitioning the
08/08, 02:09am reply
Mac Office code based to Xcode must be a huge effort. This a smart announcement for Microsoft to make on the day that Apple completes its Mac Intel transition.
kw99
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2001
Once again, Messenger...
08/08, 03:22am reply
I'm certainly glad that the most important product, Microsoft Messenger, was being prioritized for the transition port, since certainly more people want, and are using that piece f c***, than, say, Office... Once again, the Mac BU is demonstrating, beyond the shadow of a doubt, where their problems are squarely placed - management.
A beautiful illustration how formerly good programmers can become marginalized and mediocre. Pity.
ZinkDifferent
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Joined: Jan 2005
Pushing Apple,
08/08, 06:10am reply
I hope this pushes Apple to develop their own office product. They can do much better. I must admit that they don't have a lot of experience in these fields. But Apple is creative enough to create a better product in a couple releases. Apple give us our own word processing aps and spreadsheet creating apps. Let's be more independent with regards to these things. as Windows will close its windows more and more.
tom_heijtink
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
no VB, no Office for Mac
08/08, 08:44am reply
Having VB support is absolutely critical for us. If Microsoft drop this, we'll have no choice but to switch to Windows.
Well done... NOT!
Fotek2001
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Mar 2001
Re: pushing apple
08/08, 10:57am reply
I hope this pushes Apple to develop their own office product. They can do much better. I must admit that they don't have a lot of experience in these fields. But Apple is creative enough to create a better product in a couple releases.
Except Apple's not known for making really great complex apps. The ones they have they've generally bought. I just don't see Apple coming up with an Excel killer with all the scripting people need in it (and even if they did, without Office compatibility, it may not help).
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
testudo, once again...
08/08, 12:20pm reply
Apple buys their complex applications?! You are such a troll!
You might have well said the grass is blue and the sky is green.
Deal
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2001
Outlook
08/08, 12:26pm reply
OK, MS BU... where's Exchange support? calendars, global address, etc...
I agree it is a management issue. They just won't let them complete these very simple additions. They are WAY too afraid of the interoperability.
Killing VB is likely the same issue. Why in the world would it be difficult? Unless microsoft is dropping VB across the board for something else and we just don't know that fact yet. Can you imagine if MS comes out with Vista and Vista Office which has a whole new scripting language?
Deal
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2001
re: pushing apple
08/08, 12:39pm reply
apple bought final cut from macromedia & logic from emagic.
(don't call people trolls. be nice.)
wrhowell
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Joined: Aug 2006