Office 2003 soon to lose support too

[Brink]

It's not just Windows XP that reaches support end of life next April on Patch Tuesday, but Office 2003 as well. This was an extremely popular version of Office, and running it without security patches will be dangerous.

Many are outraged that Windows XP will soon reach end-of-life for support and no longer receive security updates, but it gets worse. On the same day, Patch Tuesday, April 8, 2014, Office 2003 and all its constituent applications, will also receive their last updates.

Read more at: Office 2003 soon to lose support too | ZDNet

 

[fireberd]

I've been avoiding upgrading my Office 2003 Professional (and FrontPage 2003). But I'm going to have to do it soon. I have a replacement for the old FrontPage 2003 and just have to get busy and redo my web site.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I simply can't understand why people have been in such an uproar over the "new" ribbon that first came out in Office 2007. I also dreaded it due to what I had heard but I had no trouble adapting to it and actually like it a bit better. Sure there was a bit of a learning curve but I was functional with it from the moment I installed it for the first time.

It was the same when I went from XP to Win 7. I bought my first Win 7 machine (my current notebook) a year ago last June while on a trip and, other than open the box to make sure there was no obvious physical damage, I did nothing with it for fear of the learning curve would be too time intensive (and I was on a vacation so I didn't have time for that). When I got home and actually fired it up, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was functional with it from the word "go" and had little trouble quickly getting up to the level of knowledge I was at with XP.

Now, Win 8 is a whole 'nuther story.

 

[ThrashZone]

I agree with Lady,
Office 2007 isn't as bad as people were saying it was for me anyway ?
But 2007 was my first real office suite also
I guess my biggest issue with 2007 is how small the Quick access toolbar is compared to the ribbon,
I don't understand why it is so small ?
Possibly that is also some other peoples gripes ?

 

[Shadowjk]

It comes down to peoples willingness to move on or not Personally, I don't mind Windows 8 but because it changes how people use Windows they uproar about it. Thinking about it though if they didn't add the start menu it would have just been Windows 7 with some more eye candy and people wouldn't upgrade. Hmmm...

 

[lehnerus2000]

Awful Ribbon

There are going to be a few "unhappy campers".

I'm in the "dinosaur" camp.
I hate every program that uses the "Ribbon" (except Excel).
That includes W8 File Explorer and Foxit Reader's Ribbon mode.

Reasons to hate the Office 2007 Ribbon:

• Wastes vertical real estate on 16:9 monitors (more than 2 Office 2003 toolbars; I have screenshots to prove it)
• Collapsed, it is like the old menu system except with less functions
• Hidden context Ribbons that can only be activated by clicking on a specific object in a document
• Not customisable
• Where is the Print Ribbon?
• The Developer Ribbon that allows template editing is disabled by default
• A lot of the important functions still use the old windows anyway (e.g. tabs and paragraphs)

Office 2010 takes it even further, by using nondescript icons instead of text descriptions (e.g. in the Copy/Paste pop-up and probably in other places).
Supposedly you can customise Office 2010 though.

Thinking about it though if they didn't add the start menu it would have just been Windows 7 with some more eye candy and people wouldn't upgrade. Hmmm...

Perhaps you meant the Start Screen instead of Start Menu?

I disagree.
People aren't upgrading to W8 the way it is now (I'm not sure that W8.1 will make much difference either).

If W8 had been W7 with the actual Windows improvements (e.g. lower resource requirements) businesses would be moving to it, instead of W7.

You have an unusual definition of "eye candy".

Blinding white backgrounds with huge mono-coloured slabs, don't fit my definition of "eye candy".
You could always configure W7 to look (mostly) like that in any case (i.e. turn of Aero and transparency).
Even worse, a lot of websites are adopting that scheme/style.

Maybe you were being sarcastic and I missed it.

 

[fireberd]

In my case, I got the Office 2003 free and I've been too cheap to buy a newer version.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Wastes vertical real estate on 16:9 monitors (more than 2 Office 2003 toolbars; I have screenshots to prove it)

You couldn't see the entire page before without reducing it to the point it is difficult to read. I use a 22" monitor for most of my productivity and just don't notice the reduced vertical real estate; I barely notice the lost vertical real estate on my notebook's 15" monitor and don't miss it on either of my monitors. The tradeoff for me is easier and faster navigation.

Collapsed, it is like the old menu system except with less functions

So don't collapse it. I never do.

Hidden context Ribbons that can only be activated by clicking on a specific object in a document

That's to reduce onscreen clutter and more "wasted vertical real estate". You don't need those functions showing if the object isn't there. For example, why have Picture Tools showing if you don't have any pictures in the document? I also find it speeds navigation.

Not customisable

I found Office 2007 to be easily customizable and Office 2010 has even more options available.

Where is the Print Ribbon?

Why do you want a whole Print Ribbon when one or more icons can do the same job. I find two little icons ("Quick Print" and "Print Preview and Print") work just fine for me. Others are available.

The Developer Ribbon that allows template editing is disabled by default

So, enable it. I have it enabled on my copies of Word 2010. It probably wasn't enabled by default since most people won't use it or will use it only rarely.

A lot of the important functions still use the old windows anyway (e.g. tabs and paragraphs)

So? You clamor for the old windows, then complain when they are still there?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

In my case, I got the Office 2003 free and I've been too cheap to buy a newer version.

In the case of Office 2013, I don't blame you. When that turkey came out, I grabbed 2010 while I could (and even got on sale) to make sure I would have a usable Office program through the EOL of Win 7. My main objections to 2013 included not being able transfer the license to a new computer (enough people raised a ruction over it, M$ backed off on that bit of stupidity), no three computer Family Pack licenses yet 2013's single license cost only slightly less than the old Family Packs, and the ugly, flat, boring appearance that tended to blend into itself.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I accept that ...

Wastes vertical real estate on 16:9 monitors (more than 2 Office 2003 toolbars; I have screenshots to prove it)

You couldn't see the entire page before without reducing it to the point it is difficult to read. I use a 22" monitor for most of my productivity and just don't notice the reduced vertical real estate; I barely notice the lost vertical real estate on my notebook's 15" monitor and don't miss it on either of my monitors. The tradeoff for me is easier and faster navigation.

They could have used "Sidebars" like 2003.

The "Sidebars" caused the basically the same issue in 2003.
In that case, it was the loss of horizontal real estate on 4:3 monitors.
Typical MS execution.

Collapsed, it is like the old menu system except with less functions

So don't collapse it. I never do.

If you want more vertical real estate you have no choice.

Hidden context Ribbons that can only be activated by clicking on a specific object in a document

That's to reduce onscreen clutter and more "wasted vertical real estate". You don't need those functions showing if the object isn't there. For example, why have Picture Tools showing if you don't have any pictures in the document? I also find it speeds navigation.

Non sequitur; the "Ribbons" are all the same height.

Most of the "Ribbon" tab bar is empty on my PC.
There could probably be another dozen headings on that bar.

Not customisable

I found Office 2007 to be easily customizable and Office 2010 has even more options available.

How?
You can't edit the "Ribbons" without hacking xml files.

I had EVERY commonly use command on 2 toolbars in Word (and a bunch of others to fill up the empty space).
That was on a 1280px wide monitor (I could fit even more on my 1920px monitor).

Where is the Print Ribbon?

Why do you want a whole Print Ribbon when one or more icons can do the same job. I find two little icons ("Quick Print" and "Print Preview and Print") work just fine for me. Others are available.

I don't.
That was in response to Microsoft's statement (of the time) that EVERY commonly used function was available on the "Ribbon".
In fact, you got a Print "Ribbon" when you were in the "Print Preview" window.

Speaking of the "Print Preview" window, the 2010 version is even more horrible.

The Developer Ribbon that allows template editing is disabled by default

So, enable it. I have it enabled on my copies of Word 2010. It probably wasn't enabled by default since most people won't use it or will use it only rarely.

Like the "Mailing Ribbon" or "Review Ribbon"?

You can only enable it once you know it exists (and why you should bother).
I only found out that I needed it after searching the Internet for info on editing templates.

A lot of the important functions still use the old windows anyway (e.g. tabs and paragraphs)

So? You clamor for the old windows, then complain when they are still there?

The old menu system used those windows in any case, so as far as I'm concerned, it proves that the original "Ribbons" were just "change for changes sake" and executed in Microsoft's typical 50% fashion.

The problem the "Ribbons" were supposed to solve, were actually caused by Microsoft's total inability to provide useful help or tutorials (hence sites like SevenForums).
It had nothing to do with the menus and toolbars being too hard to use.


I've pointed out the reasons that I don't like them (you don't have to agree with them).
I suspect that other "Ribbon Haters" have their own reasons.

You won't be able to convince me that they are fantastic, just as I won't be able to convince you that they are mostly garbage (except in Excel where I actually find them useful).

In any case, I accept that:

• I'm in the "minority camp" on the Ribbon (for some reason lots people of love it)
• I'm in the "majority camp" on Metro (for some reason lots of people hate it on desktops)

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...The could have used "Sidebars" like 2003.

The "Sidebars" caused the basically the same issue in 2003.
In that case, it was the loss of horizontal real estate on 4:3 monitors.
Typical MS execution...

I agree, it would have been nice to have made the ribbon relocatable, like the task bar on the Win 7 desktop.

...

Collapsed, it is like the old menu system except with less functions

So don't collapse it. I never do.

If you want more vertical real estate you have no choice...

One whole inch; big deal. You don't see the entire document anyway so why worry about it. I never missed that one inch.

...Non sequitur; the "Ribbons" are all the same height.

Most of the "Ribbon" tab bar is empty on my PC.
There could probably be another dozen headings on that bar....

So? Put them in.

...How?
You can't edit the "Ribbons" without hacking xml files...

Click on the File tab, then click on Options.

Strictly speaking, you don't edit the ribbons themselves; you add ribbon headings. You can also add individual commands and commands from the various ribbons to the quick launch bar.

...Speaking of the "Print Preview" window, the 2010 version is even more horrible...

Looks fine to me. I'll grant you it is different, way different, but it is just as functional, if not more so.

...

The Developer Ribbon that allows template editing is disabled by default

So, enable it. I have it enabled on my copies of Word 2010. It probably wasn't enabled by default since most people won't use it or will use it only rarely.

Like the "Mailing Ribbon" or "Review Ribbon"?

You can only enable it once you know it exists (and why you should bother).
I only found out that I needed it after searching the Internet for info on editing templates...

Take some time to look around in Options. Do some experimenting. That's how I found things. It's not that big a deal.

...The problem the "Ribbons" were supposed to solve, were actually caused by Microsoft's total inability to provide useful help or tutorials (hence sites like SevenForums).
It had nothing to do with the menus and toolbars being too hard to use...

M$ never provided tutorials for any of their programs, especially the OSes, so, what's new? I've found the Help screens in Office 2007 and 2010 to actually be helpful much of the time.

 

[Indianatone]

If anyone's interested you can have the menu on Office 2007 and 2010, free for home users. Cheap if you want to buy it. Helps with the transition.
I use it and recommend it wholeheartedly. I even bought $20 worth of licenses as I liked it so much. A company like this deserves support. There are menu systems out there that can set companies back $1000's

UBit Schweiz: UBitMenu International Languages

UBitMenu | PCWorld

 

[lehnerus2000]

So? Put them in.

There is no add "Ribbon" command in Office 2007.

Click on the File tab, then click on Options.

Strictly speaking, you don't edit the ribbons themselves; you add ribbon headings. You can also add individual commands and commands from the various ribbons to the quick launch bar.

There is no "File" tab in 2007 (it's a "lollipop" button).

In any case, you don't need to go to Options to do that (you can do that using the drop-down arrow).
BTW, I have added items to the "Quick Launch".

Take some time to look around in Options. Do some experimenting. That's how I found things. It's not that big a deal.

Experience shows that opening every options/settings window in a program or OS, setting all of the "dials to eleven" (without knowing what they do) is a great way to break programs, if not the entire OS.

This forum is full of "Please help my PC is broken" threads, where people have done just that.

Believe it or not, I do check a program's Options/Preferences/Settings dialogues and I set them to suit myself.

Any Options/Preferences/Settings that I don't understand, I will research or ignore, depending on:

• How much time I have to play around
• Whether I have a backup HDD image, or not

In MS Office, I:

• Disable all of the "Smart" selection settings
• Adjust the Editing Options
• Set the Save locations
• Create Templates
• etc.

You're making the same mistake that "Metro Lovers" make, when people complain about Metro.

The problem is not that I don't know how use MS Office (I've used it for ~13 years).
The problem is that I find the "Ribbon" annoying and I don't like using it (for the reasons I previously posted).
The same thing applies to Metro (i.e. it's annoying and I don't like using it).

My last job was training people to use XP and Office 2003 (and I always received positive feedback from my students).
I've been studying at TAFE to get higher level qualifications (Networking and Web Design) so that I can get another training job.

If anyone's interested you can have the menu on Office 2007 and 2010, free for home users. Cheap if you want to buy it. Helps with the transition.
I use it and recommend it wholeheartedly. I even bought $20 worth of licenses as I liked it so much. A company like this deserves support. There are menu systems out there that can set companies back $1000's

UBit Schweiz: UBitMenu International Languages

UBitMenu | PCWorld

Thanks for those links, Indianatone.

I've looked similar utilities in the past.
I've used the "Ribbon" for ~4 years, so I'll probably be unable to use the old style menus now.

 

[Ranger4]

I am using Office Pro 2013 & I am adjusting to it very well. It has taken me awhile as I have not used Office since Office Pro 95, so you can see I would be a bit rusty. Anyway I am surprised how similar most of the programs are.
it has taken me awhile to get into the swing of things with Access but gradually it is coming back & with the help of some of MS's video tutorials I am relearning.
Just as a matter of interest MS used to supply a thick manual for Access v 1.0 & I taught myself how to use from that, in fact after awhile I was advising MS here in Aust on some ways to input & extract data in Access.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Manuals

Just as a matter of interest MS used to supply a thick manual for Access v 1.0 & I taught myself how to use from that, in fact after awhile I was advising MS here in Aust on some ways to input & extract data in Access.

The "good old days".

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

So? Put them in.

There is no add "Ribbon" command in Office 2007.

Click on the File tab, then click on Options.

Strictly speaking, you don't edit the ribbons themselves; you add ribbon headings. You can also add individual commands and commands from the various ribbons to the quick launch bar.

There is no "File" tab in 2007 (it's a "lollipop" button).

In any case, you don't need to go to Options to do that (you can do that using the drop-down arrow).
BTW, I have added items to the "Quick Launch".

Take some time to look around in Options. Do some experimenting. That's how I found things. It's not that big a deal.

Experience shows that opening every options/settings window in a program or OS, setting all of the "dials to eleven" (without knowing what they do) is a great way to break programs, if not the entire OS.

This forum is full of "Please help my PC is broken" threads, where people have done just that.

Believe it or not, I do check a program's Options/Preferences/Settings dialogues and I set them to suit myself.

Any Options/Preferences/Settings that I don't understand, I will research or ignore, depending on:

• How much time I have to play around
• Whether I have a backup HDD image, or not

In MS Office, I:

• Disable all of the "Smart" selection settings
• Adjust the Editing Options
• Set the Save locations
• Create Templates
• etc.

You're making the same mistake that "Metro Lovers" make, when people complain about Metro.

The problem is not that I don't know how use MS Office (I've used it for ~13 years).
The problem is that I find the "Ribbon" annoying and I don't like using it (for the reasons I previously posted).
The same thing applies to Metro (i.e. it's annoying and I don't like using it).

My last job was training people to use XP and Office 2003 (and I always received positive feedback from my students).
I've been studying at TAFE to get higher level qualifications (Networking and Web Design) so that I can get another training job.

If anyone's interested you can have the menu on Office 2007 and 2010, free for home users. Cheap if you want to buy it. Helps with the transition.
I use it and recommend it wholeheartedly. I even bought $20 worth of licenses as I liked it so much. A company like this deserves support. There are menu systems out there that can set companies back $1000's

UBit Schweiz: UBitMenu International Languages

UBitMenu | PCWorld

Thanks for those links, Indianatone.

I've looked similar utilities in the past.
I've used the "Ribbon" for ~4 years, so I'll probably be unable to use the old style menus now.

I've been using the ribbon long enough, I doubt I would be able to use the old style menus, either. For that matter, I've been using 2010 since last Fall and I've already forgotten the differences between 2010 and 2007 (and I gave away my copy of 2007 so I can't refer back to it).

Apparently, arguing over who likes what is going to be like arguing if one likes broccoli or not. The fact is, 2003 is reaching its EOL, something that just didn't get sprung on us; 2003's EOL has been known from day one so you have the choice of adopting what's next or, if you don't like what's next, find another program (which is what I'll probably be doing if M$ keeps heading the direction it has been).

As far as breaking things when experimenting goes, that's what System Restore or imaging is for. I personally have found System Restore to be somewhat unreliable so I prefer imaging; others have had no trouble with System Restore.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I can't believe what I'm reading here about the ribbon in Office 2007 and up -- Maybe because it's Friday and I've had a lunchtime 1/2 litre or two (or Pints if UK wise) but just PRESS CTRL + F1 and the ribbon minimizes to just like you have in Office 2003 -- and what's more you can customize bits of it too.

(Not only in Office -- in all the programs where the ribbon exists CTRL+F1 minimizes it -- as per File (Windows) explorer in W8).

Proper complaints are fine but the ribbon isn't IMO a REAL complaint -- probably people have forgotten how to use keyboard short cuts. !!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Indianatone]

Jimbo, one thing we can all learn about Windows and the software that runs on and under it is highly configurable giving many users many settings other than default. The problem comes when you can no longer set the program which you paid for up the way YOU like and have a silly interface foisted on you. Classic examples...Windows 8 and The Ribbon. I use the ribbon with a menu but I also respect the fact there are users out there who prefer the menu and don't like the ribbon and vice versa. It is all about choice. There are users out there who could never set the clock on the VCR and any change is catastrophic. I know I was in Customer Service and Repair.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Personal Preference Issue

The fact is, 2003 is reaching its EOL, something that just didn't get sprung on us; 2003's EOL has been known from day one so you have the choice of adopting what's next or, if you don't like what's next, find another program (which is what I'll probably be doing if M$ keeps heading the direction it has been).

I have Office 2007.

I used Office 2003 at work.
I never owned it, as I had a copy of Office 2000 at that time.

TAFE has Office 2010 on its PCs.

As far as breaking things when experimenting goes, that's what System Restore or imaging is for. I personally have found System Restore to be somewhat unreliable so I prefer imaging; others have had no trouble with System Restore.

Agreed.

System Restore had ~30% failure rate on XP (for me).
I didn't have an HDD Imaging program in those days.

When I started using the W7 Betas, I installed Macrium Reflect Free Edition.
It has only failed me once.

I can't believe what I'm reading here about the ribbon in Office 2007 and up -- Maybe because it's Friday and I've had a lunchtime 1/2 litre or two (or Pints if UK wise) but just PRESS CTRL + F1 and the ribbon minimizes to just like you have in Office 2003 -- and what's more you can customize bits of it too.

(Not only in Office -- in all the programs where the ribbon exists CTRL+F1 minimizes it -- as per File (Windows) explorer in W8).

Proper complaints are fine but the ribbon isn't IMO a REAL complaint -- probably people have forgotten how to use keyboard short cuts. !!!

The discussion would probably make more sense, if you actually read what Lady Fitzgerald and I posted.

Since you missed it I'll say it again, you can't customise the Office 2007 Ribbon without hacking xml files (see below).
Here is a TechNet link about it:
A Step by Step Guide to Customizing the Office 2007 Ribbon

You could install 3rd party add-ons to customise the Office 2007 Ribbon:
Customizing the Office 2007 Ribbon
pschmid.net - RibbonCustomizer™
Get The Menus and Toolbars for Microsoft Office | ToolbarToggle
UBitMenu | PCWorld (posted by Indianatone)

You can easily customise the "Quick Access" bar.

There are at least 3 ways to minimise the "Ribbon" (double click the headings, the drop-down arrow and the keyboard shortcut).

Lady Fitzgerald and I have already established that it is a personal preference issue (just like Metro) thus:

You won't be able to convince me that they are fantastic, just as I won't be able to convince you that they are mostly garbage (except in Excel where I actually find them useful).

Apparently, arguing over who likes what is going to be like arguing if one likes broccoli or not.

It's like beer.
Australians like cold beer and the English apparently like warm beer.

BTW, if you think I'm the only one who doesn't like the "Ribbon", you are mistaken.
At least once a month, I see a bunch of people complaining about it on other Window forums (during UI discussions).
A lot of those people hate it with a vengeance.

I just find it annoying and consider it to be a pointless UI change.

Also, you obviously didn't see the howls of outrage that were expressed on Linux forums, when there was a rumour that one of the Open Source Office suites was going to use a "Ribbon" interface.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...It's like beer.
Australians like cold beer and the English apparently like warm beer...

Then there is me. I can't stand the stuff! Period!