Feb
New versions of Windows and Office in the works
Posted by Melissa Peterson on February 14th, 2012
Microsoft fans are abuzz with developments of new versions of Windows and Office currently in development. There are still a lot of unknowns in these early stages, but in case you haven’t been following along, here are the broad strokes:
Windows 8 preview
- Windows 8: The highlight of this new version of Windows is the Metro user interface. Taking a cue from the clarity and readability of transportation signs, Metro is an aesthetic that is modern, clean, fast, and efficient, and it’s the way of the future for all Microsoft products.
- Windows on ARM: Microsoft is taking a plunge into the tablet market with this new operating system. Windows on ARM (or WOA for short) is a sleeker, faster, and more efficient version of Windows that is suitable for tablet hardware and touch interactivity. There is also speculation as to whether Office will come pre-loaded on ARM machines. Whatever they decide, you can bet that the final release will include a Windows app store that provides Office, and all other approved apps, for this device. (Note: ARM refers to the processor that would run this tablet-friendly version of Windows.)
- Office 15: Early screenshots show a very open and clean appearance for the new version of Office, but they don’t give much indication as to how commands will be given. Some speculate that the Ribbon is gone. Whatever the final user interface is, it will probably be one that works well on desktops and touch screens.
When can you plan on seeing these products on shelves? These are still the early stages of development, and Microsoft has ambitious plans for rollout with updates across all Microsoft products including all Office programs, Windows, servers, Office 365, SharePoint, and more. But look for more information as betas are released over the summer, with a possible release date before the end of the year, probably around October.
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Jan
Use the rule of thirds for better PowerPoint slides
Posted by Melissa Peterson on January 31st, 2012
PowerPoint has a lot of nice tools for creating and designing slides. But if you’ve never had training to be a designer, it can be frustrating to try to figure how to use these tools to create good design. You know it can be better, but how to do it? Here’s a quick tip that [...]
Internet giants like Google, Wikipedia, Reddit, and other influential firms are joining in tomorrow’s Internet protest against the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) bill, which is currently being debated in Congress. SOPA and PIPA (Protect IP Act) are both pieces of legislation that aim to stop the pirating of America’s intellectual property and copyrighted material, [...]
May the holiday season bring you peace and joy. Best wishes in 2012!
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I’ve seen the beta of Windows 8, but haven’t had a chance to play with it yet. Looks like it could be fun, but I can hear the screaming now from some of my clients – we just learned Windows 7 and now something new again!
As for the ribbon disappearing, not sure how I’m feeling about that. I love using the ribbon, love the fact that they appear when needed (header/footer, table) and go away to keep things from being too cluttered. Not sure I like the idea of going back to the old text list at the top of the page. Or could those shots just have the ribbon minimized?
I agree with your hunch, Deborah. I think the Ribbon will still be used, it’s just minimized in those screen shots. Maybe it will work differently, like it will only appear if you click or rollover a tab. But now that I’m used to the Ribbon, I don’t know if I want to go back to menus and toolbars.