How 'Fluent' Are You in Office 2007?
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Microsoft has decided to give the new ribbon-based user interface in Office 2007 an official name: Microsoft Office Fluent. |
I asked a Microsoft spokesperson why the software giant had chosen that particular name, and was told that the goal is to convey the key benefit of the new user interface: that it makes it much easier and quicker for people get more out of Microsoft Office applications than before.
"In essence, the new UI helps people be more fluent in their use of the applications," she explained.
While some commentators clearly disagree with that assessment, all I am going to say is that there's never a shortage of marketing-speak in the language Microsoft spokespeople use.
The new Office UI is also available to developers under a royalty-free license, and you can get more information on that here.
Redmond also plans to release software development kits Jan. 23 for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Microsoft Office Project 2007 platform,and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.
It has also created new wikis on MSDN for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and SharePoint Server 2007 to encourage developers to chat with others who are using the technologies and to share best practices.
The company also plans to launch a new Groove-focused portal on MSDN later this quarter, while a series of free scenario-based Groove forms, known as Application Templates for Groove 2007, will also be made available on Office Online over the next few months.
The scenarios include tools with which to identify open issues and critical tasks, keep track of contacts, review documents, create status reports, track billable time and assets, and manage bids and proposals.
