Goodbye Microsoft Works – Hello Microsoft Office Starter 2010

I’m involved in the current Microsoft Office 2010 beta testing – I’m pretty sure that’s all I’m allowed to say about that or the MS police will cut off my broadband connection! All will say is that I like what I have seen so far – in particular the extra functionality in Microsoft PowerPoint.

I was also interested to read that it looks like Microsoft Works will be discontinued (thanks goodness!).  From the new year instead of including Works on new PCs, manufacturers can pre-install a basic edition of Office called Office Starter 2010.

It gets even more interesting, as unlike in the past when ‘trial’ versions of Office were pre-installed and stopped working after a certain length of time. Office Starter 2010 will be a reduced-functionality Office suite that will be ad-supported.

In the Starter edition, you’ll be able to view, create, and edit files without any worry of the time that  the software stops working until you purchase a license. However, according to the Channel 10 blog, if you decide to upgrade to a new edition of Office, you’ll be able to do so right within the Office product itself.

You can find out more about the Office 2010 at www.microsoft.com/office2010.

Comments

[Alan_Hamilton]

I am using Office 2007 with my classes this year and the pupils are loving the new look and functionality. The whole school is getting it nest session partly on my feedback. Is Office 2010 similar in look and feel to 2007? Are you allowed to comment? Go on, I wont tell anyone! ;-)

[OllieBray]

Very similar in terms of look and feel - but with added functionality and also some interesting add on bits for education. Maybe I’ll get a chance to show you in a couple of weeks?