Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
Summary: Microsoft is finally doing what many have been clamoring for -- making Web-based versions of its Office apps available -- but in a different way than expected.
Microsoft is finally doing what many have been clamoring for -- making Web-based versions of its Office apps available -- but in a different way than expected.
As part of the Office 14 release wave, Microsoft is going to provide "Office Web applications," which it is describing as "lightweight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. These versions will allow users to access their documents via a Web browser on the PC, phone or other devices.
Microsoft is slated to make the announcement about its Office Web applications plans at the Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Los Angeles on October 28 during the morning keynote.
Office Web applications are not meant to be a replacement for the client version of Office. Microsoft still will deliver a traditional Office 14 client release for PCs. Office Web applications are more of an adjunct to Office 14 -- more along the lines of Office Live Workspace.
While Office Live Workspace, which is still in beta, allows users to collaborate and annotate Office documents, it's not really meant for heavy editing of documents. Beyond that, I'm vague on how Office Live Workspace and Office Web applications interact and/or compete. I also am somewhat fuzzy on exactly how these Office Web Applications work under the covers.
Microsoft is saying it will deliver Office Web applications "through Office Live." There will be both ad-funded and paid-subscription versions of these Web apps. For business users, Office Web applications will be sold as a hosted subscription service and through volume-licensing agreements. For consumers, Office Web Applications will be ad-funded and free.
There will be a private tech preview of Office Web applications starting later this year. Those interested in participating will be able to sign up for the preview from the Office Live Workspace site.
Microsoft officials still won't talk about when Office 14 is due to ship. Until recently, many expected it to be released in the latter half of 2009. But I've been hearing recent scuttlebutt that 2010 might be a more realistic target.
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Talkback
How is this different from expected?
Microsoft is finally doing what many have been clamoring for ? making Web-based versions of its Office apps available ? but in a different way than expected.
[End quote]
Did anyone expect an attempt to make Office on the desktop obsolete?
Wonder how well they work with Firefox :)
It's gonna be all SilverLight
Missing link
That rather depends on how it does its interaction with the local copy of MSOffice, though -- if that depends on MSIE, then you're not going to be using it with Firefox.
Big surprise there
No thank you.
why some insist on FUD?
please endanger Convenience once in a while to check out fact.
If you want a demo of Office 14 client and web here it is
Web version works in all browsers (they show it in Firefox).
If you have Silverlight you getter a higher image resolution experience but it will work in the browser without Silverlight.
It will also work on mobiles.
Contray to Mary's assertions you can edit and manipulate documents in the browser version and have multiple people collaborating on the same document, client, web and mobile and everything is synched immediately.
Have fun - http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/PDCNews/First-Look-Office-14-for-Web/
No other way to do it
Not exactly a surprise. Microsoft's bread and butter is selling big-ticket software licenses. Any approach that doesn't require MSOffice would be insane.
No for Linux
RE: No for Linux
lmao
lol
"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."
Both Linux and Windows are unfair to everybody
MS is leaving money on the table if they don't allow non-Windows OS users to enjoy the online Office. Seems kinda dumb to not want to spread their wings and make a good faith effort.
Why would anyone need Silverlight to type a memo or add numbers in a spreadsheet. If they build it in Silverlight it will be the next coming of the "java office" and that one died a quick and well deserved death. Make Office online easy for people to use no matter what the platform and people will use it.
RE: Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
RE: Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
RE: Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
RE: Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
RE: Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
RE: Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
I have yet to see a fully web based office suite even close to the power of a desktop based application. The limitations of google's spreadsheet make it seem a toy compared to a true spreadsheet application.
When Google Docs can give me a database application with all of the ease of use, power, and flexibility of Microsoft Access as a RAD tool, then I'll switch.
RE: Microsoft to 'webify' Office (sort of)
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