Hi Thomas, I've checked out Microsoft's what's new on Office 10. I don't see anything different. Though it's possible something I wouldn't know about until I bought the thing had changed, and as much as Freedom Scientific can be put at fault their tutorial for Office 07 wasn't that bad.
Best Regards, Hayden -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 10:05 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Tomb Hunter Error Hi Damien, You definitely have a good point there. However, as a software developer myself I know one way we keep ourselves in business, make our money, is simply by revamping our existing software products to have a completely new look and feel along with a handful of bug fixes and perhaps a new feature or two. That way we make an older piece of software seam new and completely different than the last release. I know from an accessibility standpoint this is often frustrating, but that's economic reality for a software developer though. For example, let's take a product like Microsoft Office. At the heart of it the basic features of Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, and Outlook haven't changed in years. In terms of those appplications Office 2007 isn't really that much different than 2003. However, Microsoft has totally revamped the user interface for all of their flagship applications by removing the triditional menu bars and adding the newer menu ribbins popular in newer Windows apps. Initially this did cause some accessibility hastles, but now with Window eyes 7.2 at least i find Office 2007 fairly accessible and I don't really miss the pull down menus as much as I use to. However, it certainly was a major change from previous releases. That said as I updated to Office 2007 when I got my new laptop in 2008 I see no compelling reason to buy Office 2010 as there is really nothing new that 2007 doesn't already do for me personally. Another reason we change the user interface is sometimes it really is better. When it comes to something like Windows 7's new start menu from a visual point of view it is much nicer. You have the menu split into columns and you have your popular apps, search bar, etc in one column, all programs button, etc in the center and then your Computer, Documents, Help, Run, and other icons on the last column. This is visually much nicer and functionally easier for a mainstream user using a mouse. For us, of course, there is a lot mor tabgbing around to find things as we can't just drag the pointer over and click on it. It doesn't make things less accessible but just requires more keyboarding to find things. However, from an economic point of view once again such a setup will get people to buy/upgrade as it visually looks nicer and is a bit easier for someone using a mouse. That's what sells software cds, and when you create software for a living you tend to do whatever makes the most money. Basicly, what I am talking about is a marketing tactic called perceived obsolescence. It is a tactic designed to take an old product be it a computer, microwave, software, television, whatever and make it look like a brand new product. A computer manufacturer might release a computer in a certain style of case, and six months later release the same computer, with a cheaper price tag, but a totally new case that looks more modern somehow. Software developers do exactly the same thing. Microsoft puts out Office 2003 in 2003 and in 2007 releases a brand new version that really isn't that much different than the version you have but the new interface etc makes the older version of Microsoft Office appear obsolete even though it really is not as obsolete as they would have you believe. HTH On 7/7/10, Damien Pendleton <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi, > If support will not be continued for old software then I at least wish that > developers didn't continually update the user interface to something that a > regular user has to start exploring all over again as if he were a beginner. > There are some pieces of software that I point blank refuse to update for > that reason. Because when I do, the interface is so different, the menus > restructured, the main window revamped and so prettied up that it's no > longer usable except with bags of time to work out how to use it the way you > used to and heavily modifying scripts to make it as accessible as last time, > etc, etc. > Oh, and let's not forget some unnamed software that insist, or at least used > to insist, on placing stupid advertisements on an html side bar on the main > screen that you conveniently couldn't get rid of. > That's why with most of the software I use, I am at least two or more > versions behind the current release. > Regards, > Damien. --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected]. --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected].
