Word is *by far* the crashiest program on my Mac. I am going to try this tip from David Sparks in hopes that it help alleviate some of Word’s problems.
Tag: microsoft
> Microsoft Word is a tyrant of the imagination, a petty, unimaginative, inconsistent dictator that is ill-suited to any creative writer’s use. Worse: it is a near-monopolist, dominating the word processing field. Its pervasive near-monopoly status has brainwashed software developers to such an extent that few can imagine a word processing tool that exists as anything other than as a shallow imitation of the Redmond Behemoth.
I completely agree. I want Word to just go away. I am sick of people wanting “Word versions” of this document, or “track changes” of that one. Unfortunately, the format is just so ubiquitous, it is impossible to avoid.
My hope is, as more and more people start doing work on tablets and other devices, some other document format[^f0749] emerges as the new standard. Until then though, I do whatever I can to avoid using Word whenever I can.
[^f0749]: Preferably, plain text with some markup.
Currently hot in my [Fever](http://feedafever.com) instance – **Sinofsky to Leave Microsoft**
I *did not* see this coming.
Links related to this:
* [AllThingsD](http://allthingsd.com/20121112/breaking-windows-head-steven-sinofsky-to-leave-microsoft/)
* [MacRumors](http://www.macrumors.com/2012/11/13/microsoft-windows-chief-steven-sinofsky-out-following-windows-8-and-surface-launches/)
* [Ars Technica](http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/11/steven-sinofsky-windows-president-leaving-microsoft-effective-immediately/)
* [Cnet](http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57548767-75/sinofskys-memo-regarding-his-departure-from-microsoft/)
His experience is very similar to mine[^f3209].
[^f3209]: Which saves me some typing.
Currently hot in my [Fever](http://feedafever.com) instance – **Marco Arment’s Trip to a Microsoft Store**
Marco Arment [details his trip to the Microsoft Store](http://www.marco.org/2012/10/26/an-alternate-universe) to check out the new Microsoft Surface.
Links related to this:
* [Original Article](http://www.marco.org/2012/10/26/an-alternate-universe)
* [John Moltz](http://verynicewebsite.net/2012/10/anothe-surface-impressions/)
* [512pixels](http://512pixels.net/2012/10/the-microsoft-store-experience/)
* [Harry Marks](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CuriousRat/~3/40mjmesKpz8/an-alternate-universe)
Categories
Microsoft Surface Pricing Announced
$499 for the 32GB model but it comes without one of their “Touch Covers” for typing. It costs $100 to get a black Touch Cover, and $120 to get one in a variety of colors.
Currently hot in my [Fever](http://feedafever.com) instance – **Microsoft Office for iOS to be released in March 2013**
I am torn on this. I was kind of hoping that Office would never be released for iOS and people would simply move away from it as a *de facto* standard for documents. I guess it will be able to “track changes” on my iPad, however[^fn1].
Links related to this:
* [The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/10/3483076/office-for-ipad-ios-android-2013)
* [The Next Web](http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/10/10/microsoft-to-launch-office-2013-on-ios-and-android-in-march-2013/)
* [Mashable](http://mashable.com/2012/10/10/microsoft-office-ipad-ios-androi/)
* [iMore](http://tipb.com.feedsportal.com/c/33998/f/616881/s/2454da12/l/0L0Simore0N0Cmicrosoft0Eoffice0Emake0Eits0Eway0Eios/story01.htm)
[^fn1]: Assuming that feature is included.
This is why industry regulation falls so consistently. What a mess.
Categories
Microsoft Office 2013 Subscription Plans
I am getting close to the point where I only need to use Microsoft Word on my work laptop. I might keep an older version around, but at $100 a year subscription pricing, there is no way that will be upgrading to this latest version.
Categories
Microsoft Should Go Metro Only
Tom Warren, writing on *The Verge*:
> Microsoft’s “no compromise” approach doesn’t work well on Windows RT if you’re thrown into the desktop mode, or you use an optional keyboard and expect the operating system to support traditional third-party desktop apps. Its presence explains the growing number of tablet hybrids that we’ve seen emerge over the past few months, with the majority of manufacturers opting to offer a keyboard attachment for tablet devices. It even explains why Microsoft focused on showing off its Touch and Type keyboard accessories for its Surface and Surface Pro tablets.
I understand why Microsoft does not want to avoid dropping the “desktop” interface completely, but it would be the type of bold move that *could* result in a resurgence of Microsoft as an innovator. Leaving the desktop interface in, even if it is not a default, means the market is soon to be flooded with software that “restores the desktop” to Windows[^fn1].
[^fn1]: People in technology are not big fans of change.
> Acer CEO and chairman JT Wang has revealed his own feelings about Microsoft’s foray into PC hardware. [Speaking to the Financial Times](http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9e522560-dca1-11e1-a304-00144feab49a.html#axzz22q3rTCb3), Wang criticizes Microsoft’s choice to manufacture its own Surface tablet hardware — warning the company to think it over. “Think twice,” he says. “It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good at so please think twice.”
You have a nice business there Microsoft. Hate to see something bad happen to it.
Categories
Office for Mac and iOS
Office for Mac counts for the 365 Home Premium Subscription. Also, [The Beard says Office for iOS coming at the release of Office 15](http://www.loopinsight.com/2012/07/16/the-future-of-office-for-mac-and-ios/).
Categories
Microsoft Surface (No, not that one)
Earlier today, Microsoft [announced their new tablet PC](http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/18/3094157/new-microsoft-surface-windows-tablet) called the [Surface](http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx) (not to be confused with the original [Microsoft Surface](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_PixelSense).) Andy Ihnatko has already posted a [solid writeup](http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/13263622-452/microsofts-surface-tablet-something-to-get-excited-about.html) of the event:
>Still, I’m optimistic. I saw nothing in Monday’s event that made me suspicious or skeptical (he said, checking to make sure he’s already noted all of the details that Microsoft left out of the presentation).
>This reaction comes mostly from the fact that Microsoft seems to have built a tablet that works the way that I use my iPad. I most certainly do not use it as a content consumption device: I use it as an ultraportable PC. I walk around with a big external keyboard and I keep looking for apps that deliver the power of a desktop app.
It’s for a similar reason that bet I am going to see a lot of “technology savy” lawyers starting to sing the praises of this new tablet as **the** tablet to get instead of the iPad, especially if it allows for Microsoft Office document manipulation on the go.