New York herald's Microsoft Office Mac X at MacWorld. "Kevin Browne-general manager of Microsoft's Macintosh business unit -gave Mac users their first look at a software engineering tour-de-force: a fully native Mac OS X productivity suite that leverages the strengths of Apple's next-generation operating system to the hilt."
Setting the Standard
Microsoft's Word is considered the standard for most Windows and Mac users. Word has an automatic spelling checker as you type and an excellent grammar checker. You can set up special keyboard command keys in Word.
Unique to Microsoft Office X and especially to Microsoft's Word is WordArt. I know one Macintosh teacher who purchased the academic version of Microsoft's Word just for the use of WordArt. Word now has new and improved wizards for creating newsletters and brochures.
Microsoft's Excel Ad
The best advertisement that Microsoft ran for Excel was: "99% of spreadsheet users use Microsoft Excel. What are we doing wrong?"
Excel allows you to enter calculations, data and work with lists. Excel allows you to use multiple Excel worksheets within the same file. You can analyze data with PivotTables, Goal Seeking, What-If analysis and answer complex questions with Microsoft's Exel's Solver.
Microsoft's Excel has the distinction of having more Mac databases created in Excel then any other program. You can set up special keyboard keys in Excel. In addition, you can create macros (shortcuts) to automate your computer for repetitive tasks. Excel's New Features include transparent charts and importing from FileMaker Pro.
PowerPoint's Presentations
PowerPoint is standard for most presentations with excellent Dale Carnegie templates and presentations slide themes. Visit www.microsoft.com for free templates. You can add voice and music to your PowerPoint shows. Also, you can set up graphic icons for menu commands such as transitions.
PowerPoint's functions allow you to "Save for the Web" and make QuickTime movies. Also, you can save the file as PDF (Portable Document Format) within Mac OS X. PowerPoint is cross-platform for Windows and Mac computers users using Microsoft Office.
PowerPoint has dozens of professionally designed templates. PowerPoint allows you to create charts and graphs, slides, handouts and overheads. PowerPoint creates slide shows that you can run on your computer screen or through a projector for audience briefings.
PowerPoint's New Features
You now have transparency with see-through graphics. Also, new to PowerPoint is "Save as Package" feature. This allows you to save PowerPoint presentation in a single folder containing your movies and sound files. Improved PowerPoint movies display all transitions and features in your original presentation.
Entourage's Internet Connection and Event Calendar
Entourage becomes your "Internet Communication Center" and allows you to send and receive files. You can read and post to discussion groups on the Internet with Entourage. Also, you can maintain your calendars, address books, to-do lists and notes.
Entourage New Features
You now have improved calendar and other views. Office notification with .NET Alerts in MSN Messenger. You can insert pictures, background pictures, sounds and movies directly into email messages. The Calendar supports different time zones.
Pro Reaction
Office X's New Features: Text has smoothed edges, new Project Gallery options. You now have made to order toolbar buttons and you can output your file as PDF in Mac OS X. AutoRecover feature allows you to avoid data loss in event of a computer freeze-up or crash. AutoCorrect now includes Office's main spelling dictionary. Microsoft continues making improvements visit
Con Reaction
No Microsoft PowerPoint viewer. Does not have standard Mac keyboard Save As command (Command, Shift + S keys). Also, missing is setting up keyboard commands in PowerPoint. Also, you need sharp cutters to open Microsoft Office X's plastic package containing the two CDs.
Final Words
Microsoft Office X designed for Mac OS X. Office X has been completely redesigned with a new Aqua interface.
Microsoft Office X is compatible with Office 2001 for Mac and Office 98 Macintosh Edition. Also, Microsoft Office X is compatible with Office for Microsoft Windows, AppleWorks 6, and FileMaker Pro 5.5.
Secret: Save your documents as RTF (Rich Text Format) for non-Word computer users.
Microsoft Office X System Requirements
Computer/Processor: Power Mac G3 or G4, iMac, PowerBook G3 or G4, or iBook computer
Microsoft Office X Pricing
Full Version $499.00 US and Version Upgrade CD is $299 US.
Academic Full Package Product (AE FPP)
Microsoft® Office Mac 10.0 English Academic CD SUL
Estimated Price:
Paul Gerstenbluth is President of the ARIE Foundation and is a Macintosh consultant. The ARIE Foundation's mission is to provide VA hospitalized patients with hobby materials and Macintosh Powerbooks that helps in their stay and recovery.
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Memory: 128 MB of RAM
Hard Disk: 160 MB of available hard-disk space for drag-and-drop install; 75 MB for a minimum custom install
Drive: CD-ROM drive (or connection to a local area network if installing over a network)
Operating System: Mac OS X version 10.1 or higher
$229.00 US.
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